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Will upgrading void AppleCare?

I've got the store model 17" MBP, if I wanted to order a ram upgrade and SSD online could I upgrade it myself without voiding AppleCare? Or do I have to bring it in and let them do it? I work with computers and can easily and professionally upgrade a computer myself.

24" iMac7,1, Mac OS X (10.6.2), Have a good day!

Posted on Dec 23, 2009 1:05 PM

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Posted on Dec 23, 2009 1:17 PM

Ram and HDs are user serviceable, thats why the instructions are in the manual.
17 replies

Dec 23, 2009 2:49 PM in response to a brody

Okay, but that's only if you're on warranty right? If I'm on apple care I can upgrade them without worry, and sell the old ram and such? The ram I'm getting from ebay is 2x4GB samsung ram, it's advertised as being for the MBP.

Edit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/8gb-DDR3-RAM-SODIMM-APPLE-MC604-MB986-MACBOOK-PROW0QQitemZ110471439664QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b89c6530#h t_1664wt803

Message was edited by: Moorgan Hart

Dec 23, 2009 2:49 PM in response to Moorgan Hart

Warranty=AppleCare. Same thing. Doesn't matter. As long as you are under AppleCare, Warranty, if you bring in your machine for service of hardware, they may refuse to service your machine if third party parts have been installed internally. Keep your old parts and put them back in to see if hardware issues persist, before asking Apple about it. Of course make sure that you follow static electricity precautions when doing any such work.

Dec 23, 2009 3:10 PM in response to Moorgan Hart

Like A. Brody says..I wouldnt buy anything sight unseen. I have had bad experiences in the past. Sure..the ebay RAM can be from another MBP, but who knows how the RAM was handled? You never know if he/she touched the connectors, etc. I too am looking to upgrade my RAM and HDD. I was told about this site.....http://www.macsales.com/ . I think I am gonna go with them rather than ebay.

Dec 23, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Steveinitaly

I'm pretty sure they are on ebay. In fact most of the things sold on ebay, 85% or so, maybe more, are sold by stores like macsales. The topic is not about where to buy the upgrades, which is why I ignored that message by A. Brody. Please address the topic question. Also, macsales uses OWC ram which is different from the brand Apple uses, which would be the same as buying any other non-apple ram from any other online store. The consequences of which have already been addressed. And macsales is also sight unseen, as is the case when purchasing almost everything off the internet.
If you're paranoid of online stores or the product not being exactly what you need/want then I recommend buying from Apple.com
But that fear is unnecessary. I have been buying parts to build custom computers for my local small business since 2003 from ebay stores and other online stores and have never had any issues. eBay is actually more secure then other online stores, thanks to the feedback options. It's easy to identify an eBay store, by their feedback being in the hundreds or thousands and their feedback rating being a high percentage. (95%-100%) Because of the way eBay and PayPal works, if the product is falsely advertised or not up to your expectations and the store will not resolve the issue for you, there are things you can do to get your money returned safely, in certain cases you also gain the right to sue the establishment. Read the eBay/PayPal terms of service, and other documentation, for more details.

Dec 23, 2009 4:24 PM in response to Moorgan Hart

Yes..you are right...so I guess back to your original question.......I suppose the best answer is to try and get an answer from an actual Apple rep instead of asking on the discussion boards. That way, you can can get a definite answer. As I said before, I also want to upgrade so I guess I better ask an Apple rep also if putting aftermarket RAM could void the warranty. Good luck.

Dec 23, 2009 4:34 PM in response to Steveinitaly

I guess I better ask an Apple rep also if putting aftermarket RAM could void the warranty.



Let's try again:

Putting in a new hard drive or after-market RAM doesn't void your warranty for your computer. However, if you submit your computer for warranty service, depending on the problem, Apple may cite your self installed hard drive or 3rd-party RAM as a possible cause of the problem and refuse service.

Think about it; for example, if you submit a computer for warranty repair that has a problem that could involve a hard drive problem, since the Apple installed hard drive - that IS covered under the warranty, and would be replaced if defective - is absent, your warranty WON'T cover the self-installed hard drive (or non-Apple RAM).

Make sense now?

Dec 23, 2009 4:43 PM in response to Steveinitaly

Yes, and that was the first thing I tried, every time I look through the Apple Support section to try and contact Apple about something I end up getting nowhere and just posting my question here.
Apple uses Samsung RAM, and a FUJITSU (apple logo marked) hard drive. I just opened the MBP and checked. I think if we installed the exact same kind of RAM and such, would the Apple store guy really be able to tell that it didn't come in the computer? I don't think he would.

Dec 23, 2009 5:26 PM in response to Steveinitaly

I have purchased after market third party RAM for years; I only buy from a reputable source such as OWC (I do not consider ebay reputable). Their RAM carries a lifetime advance replacement warranty and their customer service is excellent - they specialize in products for Macs. I do not sell the original RAM, but keep it in case I need to get my machine repaired. Your warranty will not be affected by installing RAM - if it were, Apple would not be publishing "how-to" RAM replacement.

Will upgrading void AppleCare?

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