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I read what you wrote twice here, and are you really trying to say before I can replace the drive in my iMac I need to write a letter to Apple to let them know I did that so as not to void the warranty? That is not at all what the warranty text you quoted says.

If that is what you are trying to say, that is the most unusual interpretation of both the law and Apple's warranty I have ever seen.

The MM warranty act is clear. I can replace parts on my iMac if I want without Apple's permission and it will not violate the warranty. If I screw up my iMac in doing so, that is on me.

This really does sound like you only want to argue and condescend rather than have a polite discussion.
I notify Apple via my product portal. QED. No letter writing. The rest of it is moot to some, a non-issue to me, following. So, no that is not was I was writing nor alluding to.

As for being argumentative, I don't see it that way. I posed a point, and IMO my words were used out of context. I quoted a provision in Apple's own Limited Warranty that gives them proviso - a condition - that allows them to dispute a customer's claim. I make mods to my Macs, and notify them of my changes - and I have no need to dance around it. It's. That. Simple. FWIW, that Limited Warranty protects them as well.

Apple has staff on call to answer and address questions regarding their warranty - I just pick up the phone. Years ago, I wanted to know how to let them know how and which Macs were being modified - I was told to handle it via my product portal, which I do now. I recall you writing recently that you never buy AppleCare for your Macs - I do, and that's my desire. I also read the contracts, word for word. I don't see what the issue is regarding notifying Apple of changes - it's in their Limited Warranty. Maybe I'm the doofus for doing what they asked...

As for being polite, I'll tone it down and apologize here - earnestly. What I resent is the proclamation of "it's the law" and the like, and I respectfully disagree with that perspective here. I was a WA resident in 1975, studying technical writing, and I was enamored of Magnuson's work at the time - and I did get my degree in tech writing and now I'm a business owner. I hate that Apple has made most of their products such that we can't tweak them. Where I went off on a bent here was that the Act has requirements of a warranty, and Apple's warranty is pretty specific - and broad, in its accommodation of its customers. The MM Act places requirements on a warranty's content - what goes in the warranty. I know that the Act prohibits direct tie-ins for other products as it's outlined in the Act - Apple simply will not be able to prove to the FTC’s satisfaction that your product won’t work properly without one or more specified item(s), but they address this by asking simply, what modifications you've done to you Mac. Yes, you're allowed to mod your Mac. And, yes, Apple has an accommodation in place to monitor/document those mods. My take is that Apple and their techs simply want to know what you've done to your Mac, in part, so they don't have to spend time trying to figure out what's been modified; in my company we spend maybe 100 hours a week trying to figure out what out client's maintenance departments have "improved" - that eats into my overhead, and generally doesn't meet relevant code(s) and then we get to fix the "fix". I just don't think I'm out of place here, Weaselboy... Much respect.

As to cars, I keep a journal of the mods I've made to my Benzes - plugs, suspension (bushes, offset, camber/caster), wheels/offset spacers, electrical, etc., and I keep my mechanic updated. If she doesn't like my mods, I don't care - but, at least she's aware of what I've done. Cheers...
 
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So, let's see.

Set up 1:

256 GB (faster) SSD + 1 TB (slower) SSD
32 GB DDR3 1876MHz memory
+ money left over

OR

Set up 2:

1 TB (faster) SSD
8 GB DDR3 1876MHz memory

Set up 1 is clearly favorable to Set up 2
and? Based on what

What if you're a guy who prioritizes speed, above all else? hypothetically

It all depends on your usage. 8gb is just fine for me. And there are even "pro" users whose usage doesn't demand > 8gb. They're out there

I wouldn't even be a pro user, this is a home computer for me mainly used for web browsing and watching TV shows and playing some music from iTunes but I like the screen, and I'll only use Apple.

If you gave me that option you laid out, I would probably pick the second choice.

As RAM is cheap when you buy it online, there is easily a point that the user has access to "unlimited" ram. I think I read on here you can max it out at 32gb for > $150. I struggle with considering that a factor, especially compared to the 1 tb SSD from Apple.

One statement that cannot be denied is the 1 tb provides the best experience possible, that does speak volumes, right there. I'm merely arguing what I believe to be most factually correct.
 
What if you're a guy who prioritizes speed, above all else? hypothetically

I got the 1tb SSD and have not regretted it for a single moment. Yes its used as a professional machine, so the cost different between fusion and SSD doesn't really matter to me. But, if I get 1tb SSD I get a faster drive with no more moving part storage and arguably more its more durable and completely silent. So, if cost doesn't matter, you just make a choice, who would get a fusion in favor of 1tb ssd then? ...thats the reason, to answer the technical and logical reason for me.
 
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if I get 1tb SSD I get a faster drive with no more moving part storage
I don't anyone is arguing the advantage of SSD over a spinning drive, it is indeed a better solution to be sure.

So, if cost doesn't matter,
That's the rub, I'd say for the majority of consumers buying the iMac, cost is an issue. For business owners, and professionals, the cost can be both justified and written off.

Glad you're happy with your iMac :)
 
Yes, you're allowed to mod your Mac. And, yes, Apple has an accommodation in place to monitor/document those mods.

I guess I completely misunderstood your first paragraph in this thread then. To me, you seemed to be saying tubeexperience installing a replacement drive would violate the warranty. Now (I think anyway) you seem to be saying it is okay to replace the drive as long as you notify Apple you have done so. I just don't see anything that requires one to make such a notification. So I'll close by saying I think we are in agreement one can replace the drive in an iMac without violating the warranty and we disagree about the notification requirement.
 
and? Based on what

What if you're a guy who prioritizes speed, above all else? hypothetically

It all depends on your usage. 8gb is just fine for me. And there are even "pro" users whose usage doesn't demand > 8gb. They're out there

I wouldn't even be a pro user, this is a home computer for me mainly used for web browsing and watching TV shows and playing some music from iTunes but I like the screen, and I'll only use Apple.

If you gave me that option you laid out, I would probably pick the second choice.

As RAM is cheap when you buy it online, there is easily a point that the user has access to "unlimited" ram. I think I read on here you can max it out at 32gb for > $150. I struggle with considering that a factor, especially compared to the 1 tb SSD from Apple.

One statement that cannot be denied is the 1 tb provides the best experience possible, that does speak volumes, right there. I'm merely arguing what I believe to be most factually correct.

I am confused.

First, you said:speed is prioritized above all else, but that having 8GB RAM is fine.

Second, you said that you really have the computer for home use, but that you would rather pay for very expensive faster SSD (as oppose to slower SSD).

Third, you said that having 1TB faster SSD (as oppose to slower SSD) provide the best experience, yet you did not consider other factors such as having less RAM (8GB as opposed to 32GB) would worsen this experience.
[doublepost=1466868046][/doublepost]
I got the 1tb SSD and have not regretted it for a single moment. Yes its used as a professional machine, so the cost different between fusion and SSD doesn't really matter to me. But, if I get 1tb SSD I get a faster drive with no more moving part storage and arguably more its more durable and completely silent. So, if cost doesn't matter, you just make a choice, who would get a fusion in favor of 1tb ssd then? ...thats the reason, to answer the technical and logical reason for me.

Except the choice is not between a SSD and a fusion drive.

Also, cost is going to matter to most people.
 
Except the choice is not between a SSD and a fusion drive
Also, cost is going to matter to most people.


tbh, I do not know what the question really was? If the Thread started could work with a 512 SSD. Using the 512 storage as the main drive for everything is not going to go well, if you work with large files. I have usually about 3-400 gb left on my 1tb ssd because I always store work I'm done with and I still need to be tidy. If I didnt have an additional 8gb thunderbolt storage it would not go well. So buying a 512 ssd for professional use with large files is not something I would personally recommend, - then Id rather cough up what apple charge for 1tb or go the PC route.

I have to agree with the rest of the guys here, what Apple charge for their hardware is beyond ridicule, particularly when the hardware is about to become 1-2 and even 3 years old and Apple is clinging to the original price the product was announced with. It makes me feel stupid when I pay for it (and in those occurrences the pc and android users mocking apple fans for being sheeps seems more reasonable). I would not recommend buying the current iMac 5k BTO, its too expensive compared to what the general prices for the internals are. The experience is great quality wise, but currently the Win10 and PC experience is catching up and apple is slowing down to much on new hardware....so the experience you pay for seems less reasonable every day.
 
tbh, I do not know what the question really was? If the Thread started could work with a 512 SSD. Using the 512 storage as the main drive for everything is not going to go well, if you work with large files. I have usually about 3-400 gb left on my 1tb ssd because I always store work I'm done with and I still need to be tidy. If I didnt have an additional 8gb thunderbolt storage it would not go well. So buying a 512 ssd for professional use with large files is not something I would personally recommend, - then Id rather cough up what apple charge for 1tb or go the PC route.

I have to agree with the rest of the guys here, what Apple charge for their hardware is beyond ridicule, particularly when the hardware is about to become 1-2 and even 3 years old and Apple is clinging to the original price the product was announced with. It makes me feel stupid when I pay for it (and in those occurrences the pc and android users mocking apple fans for being sheeps seems more reasonable). I would not recommend buying the current iMac 5k BTO, its too expensive compared to what the general prices for the internals are. The experience is great quality wise, but currently the Win10 and PC experience is catching up and apple is slowing down to much on new hardware....so the experience you pay for seems less reasonable every day.


The choice was between buying 1.) iMac with 1TB SSD from Apple or 2.) buying the iMac with 256GB SSD from Apple and adding a 1TB Samsung 850 EVO.

And yes, it's absolute ridiculous how Apple keep selling products for years at the same price without upgrading the products.
 
I guess I completely misunderstood your first paragraph in this thread then. To me, you seemed to be saying tubeexperience installing a replacement drive would violate the warranty. Now (I think anyway) you seem to be saying it is okay to replace the drive as long as you notify Apple you have done so. I just don't see anything that requires one to make such a notification. So I'll close by saying I think we are in agreement one can replace the drive in an iMac without violating the warranty and we disagree about the notification requirement.
No worries, and I don't see your comments as a misunderstanding, not at all. Life's too short IMHO, and we're pretty much here to help each other, me thinks?

The Act requires Apple to provide a warranty, and Apple has done that. The part of their warranty is the part "g" I referred to in my OP. They indicate mods are to be be given "written permission", but I'm only getting acceptance of what I pose to them - I liken this to my stuffing a Buick Tempest 215 CU V8 in one of my Datsun 510s about 30 years ago, both my mechanic and the State wanted to know what was going on, mainly for emissions standards reasons at the time.

And, yes, I'll agree and disagree as you've alluded to. I notify Apple of my mods only to not spend time discussing what's been done to my Macs - they've never denied me a modification "request" (as they've already been done) and it's not like we all like to tinker a bit... Cheers!
 
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I am confused.

First, you said:speed is prioritized above all else, but that having 8GB RAM is fine.

Second, you said that you really have the computer for home use, but that you would rather pay for very expensive faster SSD (as oppose to slower SSD).

Third, you said that having 1TB faster SSD (as oppose to slower SSD) provide the best experience, yet you did not consider other factors such as having less RAM (8GB as opposed to 32GB) would worsen this experience.
If I must debunk this quote, then I will.

1) First, you said:speed is prioritized above all else, but that having 8GB RAM is fine.

There are simply usage scenarios where the user won't be taking advantage of more than 8gb of RAM.

For those users, having 8GB wouldn't even be more beneficial. I happen to be one of those users (pro casual user here), and they're everywhere.

Many are on this board. We'll take the SSD over some RAM sticks if we had to choose (personally I would, and do, take both). Thank you very much.


2) Second, you said that you really have the computer for home use, but that you would rather pay for very expensive faster SSD (as oppose to slower SSD).

Well, yeah.

A faster SSD is faster than a slower one by an incredibly wide margin. For many users, and obviously that group would include me, the difference is incredibly apparent.

Night and day, in every sense of the phrase.

The difference is just so, strikingly obvious.

The difference in user experience, down to every single task and action performed, is, with no doubt, gargantuan.

So for many users, it is the SSD that will make the difference. For the home user, it is the SSD and not the RAM, that will make the difference. And that is a huge one.

3) Third, you said that having 1TB faster SSD (as oppose to slower SSD) provide the best experience, yet you did not consider other factors such as having less RAM (8GB as opposed to 32GB) would worsen this experience.[/QUOTE]
Well, this seems to be a paraphrase of argument #1.

Let me get one thing straight.

In order for one to have the best iMac experience possible, one must have the 1tb SSD from Apple in the machine.

If that 1tb SSD is not in the machine, the best possible experience is not possible.

A critical component of the best iMac experience available is the 1tb SSD, and without it, in addition to other components, the best experience is not possible.

It is obvious that for one to achieve, this, best possible experience.

One must also have maxed out RAM and maxed everything else out.

However, that is so apparently obvious that mentioning it would've been unnecessary.


 
Yes, and it will invariably be a long and drawn out process for my to fight them on that sort of thing, again not worth the risk

I agree with you here. I don't own an iMac (anymore), but if something were to go wrong, I wouldn't take it in with any modifications for a warranty repair. Hell i even use to swap the original HDD and RAM back in when it was possible before taking my MacBook in for repair many years ago. Although us as consumers have the right to modify and upgrade, to fight Apple on this wouldn't be worth my time. Perhaps we place more value on our time than others do.
 
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Some historical context. I purchased the 256 GB SSD in my mid 2011 iMac. It cost an extra $600! I had to swallow hard before hitting the "Buy" button on that one. It seemed incredibly expensive. But guess what - it is one of the best computing decisions I have ever made. It has been fast, reliable and a complete pleasure to use. Still going strong. ZERO regrets!

I'll be buying a new system towards the end of the year. I'll get another SSD, probably 512 GB since I have no need for 1 TB. If the 1 TB is $800 that is a factor of 3 times cheaper in terms of $/TB since 2011. And, I assume that today's memory is also faster than the 2011 version. So, in terms of sticker shock, my next SSD purchase will be a LOT easier than the first one was.

Sure, Apple charges more for memory than you can buy it yourself for. Their reason for existence is to make a profit. Each customer will need to make a value judgement when it comes purchase time. For me it will be an easy decision.
 
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Some historical context. I purchased the 256 GB SSD in my mid 2011 iMac. It cost an extra $600! I had to swallow hard before hitting the "Buy" button on that one. It seemed incredibly expensive. But guess what - it is one of the best computing decisions I have ever made. It has been fast, reliable and a complete pleasure to use. Still going strong. ZERO regrets!

I'll be buying a new system towards the end of the year. I'll get another SSD, probably 512 GB since I have no need for 1 TB. If the 1 TB is $800 that is a factor of 3 times cheaper in terms of $/TB since 2011. And, I assume that today's memory is also faster than the 2011 version. So, in terms of sticker shock, my next SSD purchase will be a LOT easier than the first one was.

Sure, Apple charges more for memory than you can buy it yourself for. Their reason for existence is to make a profit. Each customer will need to make a value judgement when it comes purchase time. For me it will be an easy decision.

Or, you know, you can spend the time to upgrade to the SSD yourself and spend less than half the cost that Apple is asking for.
 
I was under the impression that you need a iMac with a fusion drive to upgrade the hard drive. I thought if you purchased a sdd only iMac the sata connector is not installed.
But instead of opening up you iMac why not just purchase a ssd in a thunderbolt case.
 
I was under the impression that you need a iMac with a fusion drive to upgrade the hard drive. I thought if you purchased a sdd only iMac the sata connector is not installed.

The 27-inch iMac(s) that I upgraded have the 1TB 7200 RPM hard drives and didn't come with SSDs so I am not sure about that.

Here's the cable if required (Apple Part #: 923-00092)

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/iM...014-and-Mid-2015-Hard-Drive-Cable/IF174-006-1

But instead of opening up you iMac why not just purchase a ssd in a thunderbolt case.
...because that would take up space and clutter the table
 
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But instead of opening up you iMac why not just purchase a ssd in a thunderbolt case.
Do I really need to go over the reasons?

Your external thunderbolt SSD will be much slower, and, yes. Noticeably so.

It's external, which means it's liable to being disconnected. That includes by gently bumping it, or, in some cases, they just disconnect randomly on their own. Not good.

God forbid your dog is running around and runs right into your desk. bye bye little SSD

So, again, please. For the sake of the potential buyers, please do not pretend like all SSDs are the same when you're talking about two fundamentally different SSDs. The differences are there, nuanced, to some, as they might be.

But in so many cases, it is those smaller differences that are the biggest factors of all.
 
Well, I did some math, and if I move my iTunes and Photos to external, I would presently be at 270GB for my internal needs who would allow me to go with the 512GB SSD. It does unnerve me a bit going backwards in storage size and I don't really like the thought of having my music library, which I play a lot, on an external. it would also mean having that external on and making noise all the time.
WD Red drives are big, fast and silent.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/red-wd20efrx-wd30efrx-nas,3248.html
and
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1285-page5.html

You can use this HDD inside an external USB 3.0 UASP HDD dock like the Inateck FD1006C:
http://www.inateck.com/inateck-fd1006c-usb-3-0-hdd-docking-station/
 
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And yes, it's absolute ridiculous how Apple keep selling products for years at the same price without upgrading the products.

Is there a faster 1TB SSD than what Apple has in the 5K iMac right now (open question, not trying to be facetious)? According to Barefeets, the unit in my late 2015 5K is significantly faster than the one in my 2014 model. And the i7-6700K is one of the fastest quad-core desktop-class CPUs in Intel's inventory in terms of synthetic benchmarks (and seems to be the best in application benchmarks).
 
Are there any recommendations on pre-migration? Other than deleting older larger files and repair permissions? Any files I should trash? Should I upgrade to El Capitan first?

I just did a clean install 6 months ago after upgrading Mountain Lion to Yosemite on my 2011 MBP. I am pretty conservative about visiting websites on this system.
 
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