OWC’s Publicity Like Stunt Regarding iMac Hard Drive Upgrades

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In my opinion Other World Computing is making a mountain out of a mole hill regarding upgrading an iMac hard drive and here is why.

  • Opening the case voids your warranty unless performed by a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider and with Apple’s consent**.
  • A new drive would not be covered by AppleCare.
  • As an interested third party OWC will stand to lose sales as a result of this issue.
  • I have purchased a new iMac and have AppleCare on the machine and will likely sell it before the warranty expires, meaning any time the iMac needs to be fixed it will go to Apple each and every time.
  • Thunderbolt, FireWire 800, 4 USB ports. All of these allow for external drives to be connected if space becomes limited.
  • The largest consumer drive I could find online is 3TB at New Egg, with the lowest price of $139.99. Note OWC did not have an internal drive of that size listed on its website. You can upgrade to a 2TB drive upon order via the Apple Store Website for $150.00.

There is no denying OWC claim that Apple changed things up just enough to thwart 3rd parties from upgrading the drive on the new early 2011 iMacs. Though I would love to be able to upgrade my iMac myself I learned back in 2006 when I purchased my first Mac that I now was at the mercy of Apple for repairs and upgrades. In 5 years since I have owned 2 iMacs and have never had them in for repair and have come accustomed to living with this model of repair and upgrade. I use external drives for my iPhoto, iMovie and iTunes content, with back ups of all content.

OWC has been outspoken in the past few days regarding this issue. They have every right to do so. I also believe that they may be fighting a battle that based on the above is seemingly pointless and in the end feels more like a publicity stunt.

**This warranty does not apply: (a) to consumable parts, such as batteries, unless damage has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship; (b) to cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches, dents and broken plastic on ports; (c) to damage caused by use with non-Apple products; (d) to damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, liquid contact, fire, earthquake or other external causes; (e) to damage caused by operating the product outside the permitted or intended uses described by Apple; (f) 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 (“AASP”); (g) to a product or part that has been modified to alter functionality or capability without the written permission of Apple; (h) to defects caused by normal wear and tear or otherwise due to the normal aging of the product or (i) if any Apple serial number has been removed or defaced.

  • OWC Grant

    Your information is incorrect…opening the iMac does not void the warranty…never has. AND…the manufacturer has to prove any modification caused the failure of any other component…read Magnuson Moss Act for how consumers are protected from falsely witholding warranty coverage.

    Not a publicity stunt in the least…about forced choice. If and when drive dies, you must go to Apple.

  • http://twitter.com/JT_Ray JT Ray

     If the drive does fail and it is under warranty should I not go to Apple?  Also it felt like a publicity stunt.  I agree Apple may not be taking the best approach but at the same time it is not as big of a deal.  Thanks for the response.