Does the 27" iMac have a high hard drive failure rate?

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Level 3

870 points

Does the 27" iMac have a high hard drive failure rate?

The 1TB drive in my 27" i5 died at about 24 months of age. Disk Utility and Hardware test didn't find any problems, but I've had 3 files corrupted by bad blocks and both Drive Genius and TechTools Pro found over 55 bad blocks [1].

This will be a coslty out-of-warrantee repair -- largey because the 27" iMac is not user serviceable.[2]

Two years is a short drive lifespan. Not super short, but short. Anyone know if this is a trend? I bought this machine at the start of its life cycle, so if there's a manufacturing problem in the drives Apple chose they'd be starting to show now.

[1] Modern drives only show their bad blocks when there are so many that they can't hide them any longer. For more details on why this is a dying drive see my blog post: http://tech.kateva.org/2011/12/mac-drive-diagnostics-techtools-pro-and.html
[2] Design has its price.

i5 iMac 27, iPhone OS 3.1.2, MacBook Core-2 Duo, G5 iMac, G3 iBook, Mac mini

Posted on Dec 21, 2011 6:29 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 9

77,182 points

Dec 21, 2011 7:00 AM in response to jfaughnan

There is a Hard Drive Replacement Program for some later iMac's with Seagate 1T Drives.

Apple - Support - iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program

Although your iMac seems to be an earlier model than the ones in that Program, it couldn't hurt to call Apple Support and politely ask for help.

Apple - Support - iMac - Service FAQ

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Answer 2

Feb 2, 2012 1:38 PM in response to jfaughnan

Hi: just discovered your post while trying to figure out if my 27" iMac (mid 2011, i5, 1TB Seagate internal (non-recall) HD, purchased Oct.'11) is failing. Here is my thread:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3698599?answerId=17476043022#17476043022

May I ask: did you replace your drive? My free scan by Drive Genius disclosed only 4 bad blocks, but I gather from your article that this may be the tip of an iceberg (I haven't bought TechTools yet but will, and will see what it says.)

Am wondering how to handle an impending drive failure (have never experienced it) and how to convince Apple Support/Care that I might need a new drive before such an event...

Thanks!

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Answer 3

jfaughnan Author

Level 3

870 points

Feb 2, 2012 5:19 PM in response to jo lfrommo

I wrote up my experience here: http://tech.kateva.org/2012/01/lessons-from-apple-store-out-of.html

Modern drives hide their bad blocks -- until they have so many they overflow. Your drive is not reliable.

Unless you have AppleCare you are out of warranty, so you have to pay.

The blog post explains the advantages and disadvantages of Apple vs. non-Apple repair. Basically Apple repair is very cheap labor, very high parts cost, can be slow, and they don't do upgrades (ex. install 2 TB drive). non-Apple repair has a higher labor cost but is otherwise better.

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