2011 cMBP - Internal or External SSD boot drive

[Rockadile]

I bought my 2011 cMBP on June 20th, 2012. I'll have a year of AppleCare left.
I'm wondering if I change the RAM and HD/DVD drive, it would void the plan.

If it does, could I use a TB dock and an external SSD for boot drive.
I'll need the extra TB port for the external monitor.

Computer:
15'
2.2 i7
AMD 6750m
4GB
500GB 5400rpm

 

[T5BRICK]

I'm wondering if I change the RAM and HD/DVD drive, it would void the plan.

No. AppleCare won't cover any of the non-Apple parts you install though. Anyway, I'd suggest keeping the original RAM, HDD and optical drive in case you end up needing to send it in for service.

 

[Rockadile]

No. AppleCare won't cover any of the non-Apple parts you install though. Anyway, I'd suggest keeping the original RAM, HDD and optical drive in case you end up needing to send it in for service.

Can I leave in the 3rd party RAM/SSD or revert to stock for service?

 

[T5BRICK]

Can I leave in the 3rd party RAM/SSD or revert to stock for service?

Yes.

Replacing your RAM or HDD doesn't void your warranty. That being said, Apple won't cover any warranty claims against those parts. I'm not sure how they handle optibays, so I won't comment on that. It's just a good idea to keep your original parts in case they give you trouble.

 

[Rockadile]

Yes.

Replacing your RAM or HDD doesn't void your warranty. That being said, Apple won't cover any warranty claims against those parts. I'm not sure how they handle optibays, so I won't comment on that. It's just a good idea to keep your original parts in case they give you trouble.

Yeah, I understand. I'm just thinking about the GPU since I got a logic board change three months ago because it failed.

Maybe going external boot drive would be easier if I need service again since internals wouldn't change. I believe they use their own booting server via ethernet when I saw the genius so my boot drive wouldn't be necessary.