How hard is it to upgrade new iMac's hard drive?

[markw10]

I plan to purchase one of the new iMac's and I assume that the hard drive is not user replaceable so I know there are warranty risks but a couple months ago I was able to upgrade the hard drive in my current generation MBP to a 250GB drive.
When I get an iMac I plan to get the more expensive 20 inch version and want at least 500GB since it'll be dual boot (BootCamp) Windows XP/Mac. Even the 750GB is tempting. I may go the route of the smallest hard drive and then buy a larger hard drive and upgrade myself to save money but is this hard to do?

 

[vansouza]

brass balls

I plan to purchase one of the new iMac's and I assume that the hard drive is not user replaceable so I know there are warranty risks but a couple months ago I was able to upgrade the hard drive in my current generation MBP to a 250GB drive.
When I get an iMac I plan to get the more expensive 20 inch version and want at least 500GB since it'll be dual boot (BootCamp) Windows XP/Mac. Even the 750GB is tempting. I may go the route of the smallest hard drive and then buy a larger hard drive and upgrade myself to save money but is this hard to do?

If you have a pair go for it; look for videos that detail how it is done. Me, I would rather eat glass then open up my new iMac.

 

[Leon Kowalski]

I may go the route of the smallest hard drive and then buy a larger hard drive and upgrade myself to save money but is this hard to do?

You'll prolly find this helpful:

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=4130605#post4130605

BTW, there are NO warranty issues unless you actually damage something in the upgrade process -- and even then, the parts you didn't damage are still covered. ...not just a good idea, it's the law!

Just think of it this way: Apple actually pays the knuckle-draggers at CompUSA "service centers" to rip apart computers.

...'nuff said,

LK

 

[colorspace]

Thanks Leon,

I also have been wrestling with the issue of HD size/upgrade. I'd like to get mine with the base 500gb drive, but have the option to upgrade to a TB or larger later. So the info is very appreciated.

 

[Bobioden]

With the price of externals getting cheaper and cheaper. Get whatever size HD fits your budget in the iMac, and add an external or two as needed. I thought of getting the 500gb when I got mine but opted for the 320gb. I added a 320gb WD My Book which I got for $89. I use the external to house my pics, my iTunes library, and it is used for Backup.

 

[danimir]

new aluminum iMac 20" and 24" hard drive upgrade - swap

A really great hard drive upgrade\swap guide for new iMacs aluminum 20 and 24in is available here:

http://www.amfiteatar.org/content/view/155/57/lang,en/

I've used this guide several times to change the hard drive in my and my friends' iMacs )

 

[Tallest Skil]

A really great hard drive upgrade\swap guide for new iMacs aluminum 20 and 24in is available here:

http://www.amfiteatar.org/content/view/155/57/lang,en/

I've used this guide several times to change the hard drive in my and my friends' iMacs )

Great, but it didn't exist when this was posted, so it's of little use to these guys.

Thanks for searching, but check post dates before replying.

 

[BulletToothTony]

this one is the one that helped me the most..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YsCTNVEYt8

it's very easy to do, except to get all the lint off the screen when you're about to put the glass back on.. i needed A LOT of compressed air to get everything out..

besides that.. piece of cake