It's safe to upgrade — as long as you don't break anything.

Yes, you can swap the replaceable RAM in a Dell XPS or Lenovo ThinkPad that also has soldered memory without losing the whole warranty. But the caveat matters: if you physically damage something during the upgrade, that specific damage won’t be covered.

Manufacturers like Dell and Lenovo explicitly allow user-upgradable parts (RAM, SSDs) under warranty, as long as you don’t damage the system in the process. The soldered RAM is unaffected — you’re just adding to it. The warranty on the rest of the machine (soldered RAM, motherboard, screen, etc.) stays intact.

What voids warranty: cracked motherboard, ripped cable, bent pins, static shock damage. Normal installation that works? You’re fine. They expect you to do it.

One practical tip: check if your specific model has “warranty void if removed” stickers over the RAM slots. Those are technically unenforceable in the US (thanks to FTC rulings), but some manufacturers still use them. If you see one, take a photo before removing it — evidence that the sticker was there helps if they try to deny a later claim.

Don’t be scared. Just be careful.