Does upgrading hard drive void AppleCare?

[dokindo]

I've read numerous different opinions on this googling around.

This is reference to a 2012 Mac mini where I'd like to replace the spinning drive with an SSD.

I understand it's also possible to add the SSD as a second drive in this computer, but that seems to more clearly fit in the "modifications" category which would void the warranty.

Thanks

 

[redheeler]

I believe so, considering the process requires partially removing the logic board.

 

[philipma1957]

well if you know what you are doing and do it successfully it should not be an issue.

I can also set the mini back to stock so that no one would ever know it housed an upgrade.


BTW by no means do I suggest deceiving apple by doing this. I do know that this is yet another reason apple is making mods harder to do. They know that 2010, 2011, 2012 minis can all be set back to stock for warranty issues. They don't like it and they have now made it harder to mod the 2014 mini. This trend will continue.

After a 8 year mini modding business from 2006 to 2014 I have decided to end all modding and sales of souped up minis. If a friend wants me to mod one I do but for the most part I am done. I did only 2 sales this year. I have done 20+ 2012 minis all were done correctly. One error from all my 2010-2012 mods more then 40 of them done. I had a logic board stick and I pulled a wire. 20 bucks to replace it. My 2006 to 2009 mods were almost error free as well 98 good and 2 problems. 1 was a pulled wire. 1 was a cracked ram clip.

 

[ZipZilla]

I've read numerous different opinions on this googling around.

This is reference to a 2012 Mac mini where I'd like to replace the spinning drive with an SSD.

I understand it's also possible to add the SSD as a second drive in this computer, but that seems to more clearly fit in the "modifications" category which would void the warranty.

Thanks

No. It would only void the warranty if you damaged the parts in question. You are allowed to take your computer apart and install new stuff without voiding the warranty. OWC covers this perfectly on their blog here

 

[jdphoto]

No. It would only void the warranty if you damaged the parts in question. You are allowed to take your computer apart and install new stuff without voiding the warranty. OWC covers this perfectly on their blog here

Second this post. Replacing the HD on this machine won't void the warranty. I'd still keep the original around though, it's always good for trouble shooting/if problems come up.

 

[dokindo]

No. It would only void the warranty if you damaged the parts in question. You are allowed to take your computer apart and install new stuff without voiding the warranty. OWC covers this perfectly on their blog here

Thanks!

 

[cinealta]

I've read numerous different opinions on this googling around.

This is reference to a 2012 Mac mini where I'd like to replace the spinning drive with an SSD.

I still believe it's a gray area and judgment call. Two different Apple customer service reps told me two different things. One told me that only the items I replace (eg RAM, hard disk etc) would not be covered under warranty but the rest of the parts would. Another Apple rep told me that only RAM is considered a user-serviceable part and that opening the computer and replacing anything beyond RAM would void the warranty.

 

[cfedu]

Apple genius can refuse warranty for any reason. You might be refused warranty if you upgrade your drive, but they could also refuse warranty for any reason if you get a bad employee. At the end of the day the courts will rule in your favor, but that would be a pain in the ass to do. Upgrading your hard drive does not void warranty but does increase the chance that warranty work will be harder to approve.

Toyota charged my old father 2000$ for work on his car that should have been covered under his warranty. When I found I tried to get the charges refunded without luck. I made a statement of claim at small claims court and sent it to the dealer and cc'ed Toyota Canada and within 2 weeks I got his money back. Toyota Canada was upset and also refunded my court fees and gave my father 6 free oil changes.