Warranty and Hard Drive Self Upgrade

It really comes down to Apple's list of user replaceable parts for the MacBook. If the hard drive is not listed as user replaceable by Apple, even though it's really easy to do, then its replacement by anyone but an authorised service centre does technically voids your warranty.

By the way, the interpretation is if Apple deems that the drive replacement has caused damage then they will claim a breach of the user agreement and not honour the warranty.

Ned hit the nail on the head. It will be VERY easy to swap hard drives. Apple does not list this as a user replacable part. So long as the hard drive isn't what causes whatever sytem damage you have, you will still be covered.

Kalel

I called Apple, who said that 7200rpm drives will NOT fit. The rep I spoke with said an Apple tech/engineer told them that yesterday. I do not know if this is 100% true or not but I would hold off on ordering a 7200rpm SATA drive until it's confirmed working. I will keep my Mod your MacBook thread updated with any news on that here:

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=211953&postcount=1

From what I hear the 7200rpm drives get a bit too toasty for the space. How right this is I don't know but another possibility is that they want to keep 7200rpm drive out of the MacBooks and keep them for the MacBook Pros.

If they didn't want you doing a drive swap I wonder why they made it so easy?!

That doesn't make any sense unless they are using even thinner drives than normal. A Seagate 100GB 7200rpm and 120GB 5400rpm SATA drive are the same size.

Anyone who has a MacBook, look in system profiler and get the model of the drive used. We can then look it up online to determine the size.

I called Apple, who said that 7200rpm drives will NOT
fit. The rep I spoke with said an Apple
tech/engineer told them that yesterday. I do not
know if this is 100% true or not but I would hold off
on ordering a 7200rpm SATA drive until it's confirmed
working. I will keep my Mod your MacBook thread
updated with any news on that here:

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=211953
&postcount=1

Anyone who has a MacBook, look in system profiler and get the model of the drive used. We can then look it up online to determine the size.

They'll all come up with the same dimensions. The issue is not size but something else. If they truly have a issue with install 7200rpm drive I'm sure they would have noted it somewhere in their tech notes at a minimum.

Their response is somewhat odd to say the least!

So they make there lower end portable easier to upgrade????

Easier to upgrade drives on mac book than macbook pro???

*** is wrong with this company???

That doesnt make any sense. The PRO version are supposed to be easier to upgrade...always, always....

This is a joke right?

I agree. I also don't think it's heat. I have two 15" MBPs one with 120GB 5400rpm and one with 100GB 7200rpm and I don't see any heat difference between them in the palm area when the HD is.

They'll all come up with the same dimensions. The
issue is not size but something else. If they truly
have a issue with install 7200rpm drive I'm sure they
would have noted it somewhere in their tech notes at
a minimum.

Their response is somewhat odd to say the least!

The 7200 RPM drives will fit. I just installed one in my MB (typing this post) and it works fine. Apple is not selling the 7200 RPM drive option for the MB so as not to canabalize any more sales from the MBP. The hard drive upgrade takes only a couple of minutes. It's the easiest drive change I've ever seen in any Mac notebook.

BTW, unless your hard drive upgrade directly causes the machine to fail it is against the law for Apple to void your warranty (at least in the US).

Hello Duffy,

I've seen the pics from a few sites. And, they look like you just remove the metal trim, and then pull the drive out with a plastic tab.

Is that all there is to it?

Does the hard drive just unplug when you pull it out, and you slide a new one in?

Or, is there a cable that comes out with it that you disconnect?

Are there any retaining clips or screw, or does the drive just sit in there loosely?

Does that pull-tab attach to the new drive?

Can you describe what you learned as you removed it?

Thank you in advance.

This is from a black MacBook 2.0GHz ($1499)...

'SATA' info from System Profiler:

Vendor: Intel
Product: ICH7-M AHCI
Speed: 1.5 Gigabit

Model: ST98823AS
Capacity: 74.53GB

Hello Duffy,

I've seen the pics from a few sites. And, they look
like you just remove the metal trim, and then pull
the drive out with a plastic tab.

Is that all there is to it?

Yes, just grab the plastic tab and pull. The new serial ATA drives have an edge connector and not the old fashioned pins that caused all kinds of problems. It easily slides in and out. After removing the drive you have to remove four small screws which attach the drive to a drive caddy. The screws are small torx screws. You can probably use a small slot screwdriver as well. Once you mount the new hard drive in the caddy just slide it back in. Boot up with the restore DVD (press and hold the "C" key) and install the OS.

Does the hard drive just unplug when you pull it out,
and you slide a new one in?

Yes

Or, is there a cable that comes out with it that you
disconnect?

No cable

Are there any retaining clips or screw, or does the
drive just sit in there loosely?

The drive is held in place by the drive caddy and the metal plate that covers the drive and the RAM.

Does that pull-tab attach to the new drive?

It's attached to the caddy.

Can you describe what you learned as you removed it?

Read above.

Thank you in advance.

You're welcome and good luck!

Hello Duffy,

Thank you for the details. That's great news.

I appreciate the additional information 🙂

Does anyone know what size Torx screwdriver one needs for the sled?

T-8 Torx screwdriver works. I just did an upgrade this week.