Should I upgrade the HDD in my MacBook?

[chas_m]

Thanks for the update, N-OS!

Glad to hear it. I stand corrected.

[OWC Larry]

Now if only I could type the words as actually thought out. Kinda embarrassed by the several typos.. ooops.

[Silencio]

"We are finding the WD drives to be really, surprisely, good drives given WD's relative newness to the 2.5 space - but only up to 120GB."

I bought one of the WD Scorpio 120GB 5400RPM drives a few months ago for my main external Firewire case I carry around. I was blown away how cheap it was, but I've also been very happy with the performance. Tempted to buy a second for my 12" Powerbook, or see if I can find a way to hack it up to run in our Thinkpad T43, which has numerous annoying firmware and BIOS hoops to jump through in order to make a replacement hard drive work.

[Chupa Chupa]

[quote chas_m] My understanding from Apple is that although the hard drive in a MacBook is childishly simple to replace, it is not classified as a user-serviceable part -- meaning that if you replace your HD, you void your warranty. Please check with Apple on this, they have not been clear with us lowly reseller types on this.

Uh, no on both counts.

1) Apparently you didn't read the memo because Apple has DIY hard drive replacement instructions for the MacBook on the consumer side of the support web site. That as much makes it a user serviceable part, if only be default. You can d/l it here

2) A user replacing a non user serviceable part does NOT de facto void his warranty. For the warranty to be nullified either installation of the non user-serviceable part has to cause damage to the system, or the system has to be damaged during the course of installing the item.

Specifically the warranty states: "This warranty does not apply: (a) to damage caused by use with non-Apple products...(d) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider"

The operative phrase here is "damage caused by." If a user installs an un-authorized HDD and then the screen dies, Apple cannot refuse warranty service unless it can show some relationship between installing the HDD and the screen dying.

The accurate statement would be to say installing non user-servicable parts MAY void your warranty, not WILL.

[JJ]

Welcome back pinion.

I was going to hold off for one of those 200GB perpendicular drives, but the cost is going to be too high for my taste.

I bought the 100GB Hitachi (5400RPM) drive for $99 at newegg; $105 shipped. At about $1/GB I think it was a good deal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6822146051

I think OWC just lowered their price on the 120GB WD Scorpio. It lists for $129.99.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western%2...D1200BEVS/

I ordered an enclosure for my 60GB drive from OWC.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20W...STG800U2K/

[chas_m]

[quote Chupa Chupa]Uh, no on both counts.
Already got corrected on that Chupa, thanks. And you're right -- I should have said MAY instead of WILL. Thanks again.