Is it Ok to use VLC player on MacBook Air or Will it damage my speakers and void the warranty?

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Mohit_X Author

Level 1

9 points

Is it Ok to use VLC player on MacBook Air or Will it damage my speakers and void the warranty?

I am using MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015) and I want to use VLC as my default media player.

I am wondering if it is ok to use it or can it harm my speakers and void my warranty?

I have learned that many laptop companies like Dell and HP deny warranty if VLC player is used on their laptops.

Is it the same with apple or apple's hardware is good enough to handle this great software?

Thanks

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Jan 9, 2016 3:25 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Niel

Level 10

731,777 points

Jan 9, 2016 3:38 PM in response to Mohit_X

It's OK.

(138202)

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Answer 2

Mohit_X Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 9, 2016 3:38 PM in response to Niel

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the reply.

May I ask, if your answer is just your opinion or if there is some solid basis for this like if it is mentioned by apple somewhere in their forums.

Regards,

Mohit

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

731,777 points

Jan 9, 2016 3:41 PM in response to Mohit_X

It's the general opinion of people on these boards. Getting a definitive answer would require contacting Apple instead of posting here.

(138204)

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Answer 4

Jan 9, 2016 4:33 PM in response to Mohit_X

I've used various versions of VLC for years on 5 different Macs and experienced no damage. Currently using it on a 2009 iMac and a 2015 Macbook Air. It's OK.

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Answer 5

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

Jan 9, 2016 4:46 PM in response to Niel

Why are you convinced that VLC will damage your computer and void the warranty?

"I have learned that many laptop companies like Dell and HP deny warranty if VLC player is used on their laptops."

That simply is not true.

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Answer 6

Mohit_X Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 9, 2016 10:30 PM in response to carl wolf

No, it is 100% true.

I experienced this myself when I tried to get my personal Dell laptop's speaker serviced under warranty.

Similar issue happened with my work laptop which is also from Dell, but this time I was prepared, I removed every trace of VLC from the system and guess what, I got the warranty 🙂

In fact, anyone here can verify this, just call their customer care and once you ask them about Speaker servicing under warranty, the first question they will ask is - "Are you using VLC??"

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Answer 7

Jan 11, 2016 9:52 AM in response to Mohit_X

The natural follow-up question to this is: Does Dell specifically object to VLC, or do they object to the use of any audio software they do not bundle with their machines? They may not be willing to cover under warranty the effects of software they have not supplied.

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