2017 iMac Internal Drive Question

[tubeexperience]

You can beat the Magnuson-Moss drum all you want, but it's empty keybaord dribble at this point. For someone who's a member of this forum perhaps you've missed what is probably HUNDREDS of threads over the years confirming the fact that modifying an Apple machine past the Apple intended design VOIDS the warranty. Or perhaps you also missed the prominent retailers like iFixit, MacSales, and prominent tech reviewers who have all confirmed this COUNTLESS times in their product information and reviews.

From MacSales:

Unfortunately though, there exists a misconception among some users and even technicians that opening the machine voids the warranty.

We address this topic directly with customers via our support portals and are happy to inform you here of the same fact: upgrading your Mac does not void its warranty.

This consumer protection is owed to the little known Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. Put simply, the act states that a company can’t require you to upgrade with only its own branded parts to retain the warranty. This important act protects your rights as a consumer and allows you to install upgrades with peace of mind confidence.

 

[ChopinGuy]

From MacSales:

Unfortunately though, there exists a misconception among some users and even technicians that opening the machine voids the warranty.

We address this topic directly with customers via our support portals and are happy to inform you here of the same fact: upgrading your Mac does not void its warranty.

This consumer protection is owed to the little known Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. Put simply, the act states that a company can’t require you to upgrade with only its own branded parts to retain the warranty. This important act protects your rights as a consumer and allows you to install upgrades with peace of mind confidence.

You apparently seem to be missing what has been said to you time and again here, and what has been proven more times than you can type over and over again.

Simple reading comprehension of "can’t require you to upgrade with only its own branded parts to retain the warranty" - WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT FACTORY BRANDED OR 'FACTORY-LIKE' OPTION UPGRADES HERE. Installing a SATA SSD in an iMac is NOT SOMETHING APPLE OFFERS (their SSDs are NVMe not SATA), and is something that is BEYOND THE INTENDED DESIGN. Hence it VOIDS THE WARRANTY.

As the OP on this thread, you're not offering anything constructive to my original post. Spend some more time reading before you derail a thread with info that is blatantly incorrect.

 

[tubeexperience]

You apparently seem to be missing what has been said to you time and again here, and what has been proven more times than you can type over and over again.

Simple reading comprehension of "can’t require you to upgrade with only its own branded parts to retain the warranty" - WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT FACTORY BRANDED OR 'FACTORY-LIKE' OPTION UPGRADES HERE. Installing a SATA SSD in an iMac is NOT SOMETHING APPLE OFFERS (their SSDs are NVMe not SATA), and is something that is BEYOND THE INTENDED DESIGN. Hence it VOIDS THE WARRANTY.

As the OP on this thread, you're not offering anything constructive to my original post. Spend some more time reading before you derail a thread with info that is blatantly incorrect.

Replacing a hard drive with a SATA SSD is like replacing an incandescent bulb with an LED bulb.

The LED bulb is designed to take place of the incandescent bulb.

Likewise, the SATA SSD is designed to take place of the traditional hard drive.

Maybe I didn't quote enough

Macs are beautifully built machines. They’re solid, sleek and easy to use. While powerful from the factory, their performance and capabilities can be improved immediately and/or over time with user-installed upgrades like more RAM, larger and faster hard drive, a performance SSD, even adding a second internal drive to a Mac notebook. This upgrade capability allows a Mac owner to truly realize the maximum use-life of their technology investment. Unfortunately though, there exists a misconception among some users and even technicians that opening the machine voids the warranty.

We address this topic directly with customers via our support portals and are happy to inform you here of the same fact: upgrading your Mac does not void its warranty.

This consumer protection is owed to the little known Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. Put simply, the act states that a company can’t require you to upgrade with only its own branded parts to retain the warranty. This important act protects your rights as a consumer and allows you to install upgrades with peace of mind confidence.

However, the warranty doesn’t cover any damage incurred while installing upgrades. That’s why MacSales.com’s free, step-by-step “how-to” DIY videos are extremely easy to follow for even advanced upgrades. See for yourself how easy it is at macsales.com/installvideos. However, if after watching our videos you’re still not comfortable performing one or more upgrades, we offer Turnkey Upgrade Programs for many Mac models, or you can opt to hire a professional.

At MacSales.com, we strive to educate consumers – and help them save time and money – by encouraging a DIY philosophy. Now you can give your Mac the boost it needs (our award-winning SSDs and memory are a great place to start) and know that MacSales.com and your warranty still have you covered!

 

[ChopinGuy]

Replacing a hard drive with a SATA SSD is like replacing an incandescent bulb with an LED bulb.

The LED bulb is designed to take place of the incandescent bulb.

Likewise, the SATA SSD is designed to take place of the traditional hard drive.

Maybe I didn't quote enough

Quote as much as you want it doesn't make it correct...lol

You're also conveniently leaving the end of that article off which was first published in May 2013 - when Macs were very different machines than they are now (design wise):

https://blog.macsales.com/42922-reminder-diys-wont-void-your-macs-warranty

"Note: Although OWC upgrades do not void your warranty, you will want to remove them before taking a system that is under warranty into Apple for service. Apple does not track non-factory configurations. And while the service technicians usually will remove and give you your own parts back, it has happened where after a machine is sent out for service, the upgrade that you installed is found and removed with the stock configuration component instead in its place. So, when you do have a system still under Apple warranty or that’s being serviced under an Apple recall, it is prudent to restore it back to stock or as close to original configuration as possible prior to providing the system."

Simple fact is, aside from upgrading the RAM in an applicable iMac, removing the screen (to access internals) YOURSELF voids the warranty - end of story. That's what is prudent to my original post (which I was fully aware of starting this thread). Not sure what's so difficult about this, but you sure are missing vast amounts of information that contradict your uninformed extrapolation of Apple warranties.

So yet again, and my last post in reply to you:

 

[tubeexperience]

Quote as much as you want it doesn't make it correct...lol

You're also conveniently leaving the end of that article off which was first published in May 2013 - when Macs were very different machines than they are now (design wise):

https://blog.macsales.com/42922-reminder-diys-wont-void-your-macs-warranty

This is the Late 2012 iMac.

What do you know? It's like the iMac that Apple is selling today!

"Note: Although OWC upgrades do not void your warranty, you will want to remove them before taking a system that is under warranty into Apple for service. Apple does not track non-factory configurations. And while the service technicians usually will remove and give you your own parts back, it has happened where after a machine is sent out for service, the upgrade that you installed is found and removed with the stock configuration component instead in its place. So, when you do have a system still under Apple warranty or that’s being serviced under an Apple recall, it is prudent to restore it back to stock or as close to original configuration as possible prior to providing the system."

This doesn't contradict anything I said.

Simple fact is, aside from upgrading the RAM in an applicable iMac, removing the screen (to access internals) YOURSELF voids the warranty - end of story. That's what is prudent to my original post (which I was fully aware of starting this thread). Not sure what's so difficult about this, but you sure are missing vast amounts of information that contradict your uninformed extrapolation of Apple warranties.

So yet again, and my last post in reply to you:

As MacSales said:

Unfortunately though, there exists a misconception among some users and even technicians that opening the machine voids the warranty. We address this topic directly with customers via our support portals and are happy to inform you here of the same fact: upgrading your Mac does not void its warranty.

The display is held by double sided tape. It's no big deal: you just replace the tape before you reinstall the display.

 

[ChopinGuy]

(F**k warranty).

- Prepared kits to install an internal SATA SSD in iMac are for iMacs with prior SATA disk installed.
- I doubt iMac models with PCI-e SSD are prepared to hold another SSD more into case, and (more important) if SATA III interface is there and ready to use.
- Even if install goes perfect (and warranty keeps valid), the cost & inconveniences clearly surpass advantages, compared to having an external SATA SSD through USB (SSD+case/wire). Performance is the same.
- In fact, the only advantage is you don't see your added SSD, and can move your iMac around forgettin' about accessory disk. (Oh, yes: and 1 more spare port...). On the other hand, if some day SSD fails or you want to change it for a newer one, you'll have to open again your iMac.

Gallardo - I missed this amongst the noise, and can understand what you're suggesting.

It is actually possible to install an internal SATA drive if you order the iMac with the NVMe drive. The SATA connection sits unused on the motherboard in this configuration, and you just have to order the SATA cable, and thermal adapter to install a drive internally.

My only intention in doing this is as you suggested is on two counts: 1) desk clutter 2) open connections. Given the iMacs only have two of the high speed connections (TB3), I'd be using one for backup storage/RAID, and the other for adding a second display given my video work.

The other thing is I've read some weird stuff with the mounting and dismounting of using an external drive as a boot drive, and that, of course, would not be desirable.

 

[J.Gallardo]

Gallardo - I missed this amongst the noise, and can understand what you're suggesting.

It is actually possible to install an internal SATA drive if you order the iMac with the NVMe drive. The SATA connection sits unused on the motherboard in this configuration, and you just have to order the SATA cable, and thermal adapter to install a drive internally.

My only intention in doing this is as you suggested is on two counts: 1) desk clutter 2) open connections. Given the iMacs only have two of the high speed connections (TB3), I'd be using one for backup storage/RAID, and the other for adding a second display given my video work.

The other thing is I've read some weird stuff with the mounting and dismounting of using an external drive as a boot drive, and that, of course, would not be desirable.

I understand.
Thinking about it, I would get "your model iMac" if Apple offered it.
(I'm using a 5K 2017 iMac 1TB internal SSD, with a 1TB external Crucial MX500. This ext. SSD is always connected and mounted... no problems on wake up or start. But, of course, most reliable SATA interface should be the internal one).

 

[ChopinGuy]

I understand.
Thinking about it, I would get "your model iMac" if Apple offered it.
(I'm using a 5K 2017 iMac 1TB internal SSD, with a 1TB external Crucial MX500. This ext. SSD is always connected and mounted... no problems on wake up or start. But, of course, most reliable SATA interface should be the internal one).

I really don't want to go build a PC (despite working on one at my office just fine), but Apple really has anyone who really cares about performance / professional versatility cornered. Believe the current iMac is the only option that Apple has available that would allow you to add a second internal drive - something not even the iMac Pro or nMP ('trash pro') can do.

Almost feel like I have to talk myself into an Apple solution I'd be happy with...

 

[niteflyr]

(F**k warranty).

- Prepared kits to install an internal SATA SSD in iMac are for iMacs with prior SATA disk installed.
- I doubt iMac models with PCI-e SSD are prepared to hold another SSD more into case, and (more important) if SATA III interface is there and ready to use.
- Even if install goes perfect (and warranty keeps valid), the cost & inconveniences clearly surpass advantages, compared to having an external SATA SSD through USB (SSD+case/wire). Performance is the same.
- In fact, the only advantage is you don't see your added SSD, and can move your iMac around forgettin' about accessory disk. (Oh, yes: and 1 more spare port...). On the other hand, if some day SSD fails or you want to change it for a newer one, you'll have to open again your iMac.

All 27" iMac's ship with fusion drive if not upgraded. Clearly the SATA interface and bay is there for the HDD portion of a fusion drive. It would be silly to build a different mother board and interfaces to apply to each and every BTO.

 

[ChopinGuy]

I understand.
Thinking about it, I would get "your model iMac" if Apple offered it.
(I'm using a 5K 2017 iMac 1TB internal SSD, with a 1TB external Crucial MX500. This ext. SSD is always connected and mounted... no problems on wake up or start. But, of course, most reliable SATA interface should be the internal one).

Well I wasn't expecting a release of anything at WWDC, but remained skeptically optimistic nonetheless. Given the lack of release I just don't think I can stick with Mac for a real editing machine. Even the iMac Pro has legitimate limitations for anyone who wants a real isolated workflow of media elements, and I don't want to wait months to see what the next release will bring.

Looks like I'll be building my first PC now. I'll still keep on loving my 2015 MBP, and hopefully Apple will get real for pro/power/serious users at some point down the road...

 

[J.Gallardo]

Well I wasn't expecting a release of anything at WWDC, but remained skeptically optimistic nonetheless. Given the lack of release I just don't think I can stick with Mac for a real editing machine. Even the iMac Pro has legitimate limitations for anyone who wants a real isolated workflow of media elements, and I don't want to wait months to see what the next release will bring.

Looks like I'll be building my first PC now. I'll still keep on loving my 2015 MBP, and hopefully Apple will get real for pro/power/serious users at some point down the road...

Of course, a PC will always be much more flexible and probably easier to keep up with pro users needs. And having a tower PC on the floor can help "desk clutter"...
The problem is... it doesn't run MacOS. I think most mac users are fond of MacOS, before than Apple hardware.
But yes; it's sad how a real MacPro and an improved MacMini are missed.
We should consider if we're talking about a co. that makes money with watch-wristbands... and many other products that have ONE thing in common: being FASHIONABLE. (Modular MacPro or MacMini are not "chic"...)
Apple keeps taking good care of technical details, anyway.
It's just like if you need a good & cheap van, you don't go Porsche