No need to soff. Root is sufficient. If you worry about warranty than do a soff first

Is possible as the Beats logo is very poorly printed and can be easily removed. Few users in the earlier threads had already reported that it fades with time and some purposely removed it with wiping off with a thinner solution

Do read the instructions properly before using it. If not you can end up your main gmail account cannot be used to buy app from playstore. Many early N7 users faced this problem claiming the free US$25 n quite a hassle contacting Google to release this lock.

Use RUU n flash firmware with phone in fastboot mode

I type in Google search n straightaway first link in Xda has download link. Scroll down the page to find it. I remember downloading it from Xda too from one of the other threads. It is there n you just need put in effort to find

I have 3 experiences claiming warranty with HTC . One was several years back , a Dopod AP set and shop in SS15 handle it well n got motherboard replace ( defective GPS chip ) in 10 days. Another unit I sent in Spore Harbour Court ( AP set bought in KL ) and warranty provided too FOC ( cos it was Spore set ) - changing USB port . Third case I send in my friend HTC One and motherboard replacement took nearly a unbelievable close to 40 days. Worse was phone was ready several days back and they ( BTS) never even bother to call me until I called them. Phone was very well repaired with zero signs of case being taken off and the very slight gaps were improved

ASUS : N7 claim free motherboard replacement but eventually got a new set in 30 days . I can accept the 30 days as the N7 just launch and no spare parts available

Samsung : 7 cases past 6 years and all well executed. All 7 cases phone/tablet rooted and I still get free warranty. Longest I waited was replace sim module 3 days - the rest within same day. 8th case S3 change motherboard and I got it back in 2 days from Malacca Hatten Square
Must say so far Samsung best service support for me

Not necessarily true. There are already few user here n in Butterfly thread who won their case in tribunal n got a full refund. If you think is troublesome than too bad lah!!