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Does adding sad drive void warranty?
- Thread starter gpspad
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Adding SAD & STD drives I'd advise against 
But in seriousness you may have to ask Apple to install the SSD drive for you to not void your warranty, anything other than the user freindly memory pre 2012 will void warranty since you'd have to dismantle way beyond what Apple recommend.
I'd STRONGLY advise against you doing it yourself too, the things are very fragile internally, especially the connectors, I learnt this the hard way back in 2009.
The only reason I purchased the newer 2014 model is due to the fact that I can get in easier to install a blade SSD driver just via removing a few screws and not physically removing anything.
But in seriousness you may have to ask Apple to install the SSD drive for you to not void your warranty, anything other than the user freindly memory pre 2012 will void warranty since you'd have to dismantle way beyond what Apple recommend.
I'd STRONGLY advise against you doing it yourself too, the things are very fragile internally, especially the connectors, I learnt this the hard way back in 2009.
The only reason I purchased the newer 2014 model is due to the fact that I can get in easier to install a blade SSD driver just via removing a few screws and not physically removing anything.
i installed ram and drives in my mac mini 2006, and i broke almost every single retaining clip on the plastic bottom, i am really proud of myself
Both of my 2012 minis have had hard drives installed in the upper bays with OWC Data Doublers and have Apple Care. My reasoning not to worry is that it is unlikely that I will cause a problem that is not apparent when I restart a mini after working on it.
My local Apple Store has always been very fair with me. I doubt that they would blame say a failed power supply on a hard drive installation six months earlier.
My local Apple Store has always been very fair with me. I doubt that they would blame say a failed power supply on a hard drive installation six months earlier.
My point is if you damage the mini during install, then you're not covered and they'll know you damaged it.
Those little wires and small onboard headers are a very risky operation, well worth an Apple Store installing it at least.
Those little wires and small onboard headers are a very risky operation, well worth an Apple Store installing it at least.
Excellent point.
You're not just dealing with tiny little screws.
There are quite a few delicate little connectors that do not want to come apart and do not easily go back together.
I figured that my experience with laptop repair would make it a breeze but it was a pretty good challenge.
It's certainly doable but it's also very, very, easy to screw something up.
Changing a hard drive does not void warranty. That's a long-established principle.
That's a completely different question to that of whether the OP is competent to do the work, and from what little they've posted it's impossible to tell.
Warranties cover defects in manufacturing, not user abuse. If you break something, it's not covered by warranty. So with older minis with field replaceable ram, for example, if you break the socket by being ham fisted, it's not covered under warranty.
I changed the hard drives in both my minis the other day. It wasn't particularly difficult. But then, I say that as an electronics engineer with 20 years experience in working in surface mount electronics.
That's a completely different question to that of whether the OP is competent to do the work, and from what little they've posted it's impossible to tell.
Warranties cover defects in manufacturing, not user abuse. If you break something, it's not covered by warranty. So with older minis with field replaceable ram, for example, if you break the socket by being ham fisted, it's not covered under warranty.
I changed the hard drives in both my minis the other day. It wasn't particularly difficult. But then, I say that as an electronics engineer with 20 years experience in working in surface mount electronics.
In France, my local Apple Store don't do upgrade, directed me to Apple Authorized service providers.
The Apple Store in the USA do upgrades on Mac Mini ?
How much does it typically cost to add a 2nd drive ?
The Apple Store in the USA do upgrades on Mac Mini ?
How much does it typically cost to add a 2nd drive ?
Thanks for the reply, while adding the SSD drive looks tricky, Ill probably give it a shot. I have been taking apart computers for years, but these guys look everything is tight.
Im just on the fence about buying $100 worth of apple care if I plan on adding SSD drive on my own. I am not sure if its worth it if I end up voiding the waranty.
i'm as ham-fisted as the next guy, but even I recently managed to install a Samsung 1TB Evo 840 in my Mac Mini without difficulty.
It did help having the right tools for the job, such as the NewerTech toolkit.
I watched the videos on how to do the job, and printed them out for reference during the changeover.
I made sure the house was empty (so no-one would disturb me), and really took my time.
Result: it worked.
It did help having the right tools for the job, such as the NewerTech toolkit.
I watched the videos on how to do the job, and printed them out for reference during the changeover.
I made sure the house was empty (so no-one would disturb me), and really took my time.
Result: it worked.
Apple stores will only install the exact factory parts. When my iMac broke the Apple store wanted $475.00 to replace both the 1TB Seagate HDD and the optical drive.
Just added a 240GB M500 SSD to my Late '12 Mac Mini.
Bought the Dual Drive Kit from OWC and was good to go. Super simple process.
I found the hardest part was getting the Power Supply Cable off the logic board. Other than that, really took my time and just went easy.
Used internet recovery and installed Mavericks on it. Will keep 10.9 on it for now.
Bought the Dual Drive Kit from OWC and was good to go. Super simple process.
I found the hardest part was getting the Power Supply Cable off the logic board. Other than that, really took my time and just went easy.
Used internet recovery and installed Mavericks on it. Will keep 10.9 on it for now.
thanks scottsjack for the info, that's so expensive !
good feedback, I'm still waiting for my OWC kit from the US in my mailbox, hopefully by the end of next week