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Apple Restricts Hard Drive Replacements on New iMacs
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More profit.
This was a decision that was made in a corporate boardroom by a bunch of brilliant MBA's sitting around in a circle. Problem was heat on the hard drives. Solution was to make something that fixes the problem, while also bringing more control of the product under the company's umbrella. It also has the very nice intended consequence of making Apple more money in the long run. Good job boys! meeting adjourned.
Remember we're talking about a company that makes an enormous amount of cash. They don't make literally billions of dollars per quarter by being nice to us by providing incredible value at the lowest cost profitable. They do it with thousands of tiny little compromises on all levels like this that put another few pennies in their pocket.
I'm a huge mac fan and have owned Mac Pros and Imacs for well over a decade, but I gotta say sometimes its annoying when the veil is pulled back on Apple's very carefully managed image and you see them for what they are, which is simply a company that makes money- just like Microsoft and every other company out there. Often they also provide a great product too.. but more and more we're seeing these kind of decisions.
I think most of us longtime Apple fans would like to think that maybe, just maybe, Apple has always been a little above just making petty decisions that only are there to make more money in the end. That's happening less often.
I half expected some dumba** to jump on this forum and say:
"Awesome idea!, Now my AAPL shares will make even MORE money!!!"
Now I'm happy I moved back to Windows when I did. I still use OS X on it (Hackintosh) from time to time, but the hurtles Apple makes one go through to do simple upgrades is a real turn off.
I honestly question whether profit would be enough of a motive in itself. How many people actually take apart iMacs to install new hard drives? Not enough IMO to actually motivate anyone to conceive and implement such a change, for the sole purpose of locking out user replacements.
I think the change was for technical reasons, as hinted at in the original story:
Now I'm sure Apple could do it other ways, but they're not going to go out of their way to make iMac HD's user-replaceable, since so few people do it anyway.
I would be surprised (and disappointed) if Apple does something similar with their notebooks, which have a user-accessible HD bay. I think in a mobile notebooks HD failure is perhaps more common, so locking out user replacements would be a worse PR move. We'll see.
I think the change was for technical reasons, as hinted at in the original story:
Now I'm sure Apple could do it other ways, but they're not going to go out of their way to make iMac HD's user-replaceable, since so few people do it anyway.
I would be surprised (and disappointed) if Apple does something similar with their notebooks, which have a user-accessible HD bay. I think in a mobile notebooks HD failure is perhaps more common, so locking out user replacements would be a worse PR move. We'll see.
I wasn't going to rub it in but... my AAPL shares will go up. Trust me, apple cares more about my opinion, and other investors like myself, than it does about the tear-down tech junkies.
When I read this rumor site I do it purely to get an early jump on apple decisions, but in doing so i have learned something. Most of you guys actually think that huge businesses care about these little geek wars, don't you?
Do you know why OSX is incorporating more iOS features? Because even computer illiterate grandmothers can use it. People who can actually understand application builds, and program code are so far off apples radar it not even funny.
If you like the products, thats awesome, but don't think that apple is going to change a single thing because you whine about it. Apple used to be more friendly to the niche consumer because they were failing, and couldn't afford to lose a single customer... as you can see. that is no longer the case.
Well mac pro firmware upgrade that unlocks the use of new processors made steve's stomach hurt
.
Seriously I don't see any proprietary connector in the pictures. Maybe there's another connector and the temperature sensor is now in the pcb of the drive itself. Or they use maybe the 3,3 volt pin in the sata power connector.. Everything looks the same trough ifixit photos.
.Seriously I don't see any proprietary connector in the pictures. Maybe there's another connector and the temperature sensor is now in the pcb of the drive itself. Or they use maybe the 3,3 volt pin in the sata power connector.. Everything looks the same trough ifixit photos.
I find it interesting that nobody else is reporting this right now....
ifix it made no mention of it in their teardown, and even gave the iMac a repair-ability score of 7/10 stating
I'm hoping that this is hoopla, but I guess you can't put it past Apple to pull a stunt like this.
ifix it made no mention of it in their teardown, and even gave the iMac a repair-ability score of 7/10 stating
I'm hoping that this is hoopla, but I guess you can't put it past Apple to pull a stunt like this.
Tired of the restraints. This is the wrong direction for me and my money. Apple acts like they are protecting design secrets. There is no point in this new move and has now chased away a potential buyer.
I thought it was interesting that the base came with a 500GB without upgrade option. Way to force the public to spend $400 more than they need to.
Someone's stinking up the place at Apple. Who the hell would authorize such a dick move and actually think its OK? I think they are getting a little too big for their britches. These type of actions are what starts backlashes and gets the attention of hackers. Ahem.. PS3.
They are begging for it now....
I thought it was interesting that the base came with a 500GB without upgrade option. Way to force the public to spend $400 more than they need to.
Someone's stinking up the place at Apple. Who the hell would authorize such a dick move and actually think its OK? I think they are getting a little too big for their britches. These type of actions are what starts backlashes and gets the attention of hackers. Ahem.. PS3.
They are begging for it now....
I've been regretting my decision to get a mini last January instead of an iMac and have been considering changing that. But given that on BOTH of the two eMacs I had before the mini, the hard drive was the first thing to die, I think if I trade the mini in it'll be for a last-gen iMac now. Bah.
You voided your warranty on anything you broke and they wouldnt cover the drive, obviously.
To be fair, how is this a big deal? Yes it sucks that it became harder in the sense of a loop to go through but remember
1) Only recently has Apple made hdds somewhat accessible to non techie people. Remember the ibook, powerbook, emac, imac days pre intel? Those were not easy to get into for the average person. Even the early mbps were somewhat difficult.
2) With thunderbolt, the need to replace the internal drive for performance purposes went away essentially. I personally like the idea of being able to use any hdd I want as an external boot drive with internal type performance!
So yes, while it sucks, I doubt Apple did this solely to keep people from upgrading. There is most likely another side to this story as for the reason they did it. In any event, it is not the end of the world imo
1) Only recently has Apple made hdds somewhat accessible to non techie people. Remember the ibook, powerbook, emac, imac days pre intel? Those were not easy to get into for the average person. Even the early mbps were somewhat difficult.
2) With thunderbolt, the need to replace the internal drive for performance purposes went away essentially. I personally like the idea of being able to use any hdd I want as an external boot drive with internal type performance!
So yes, while it sucks, I doubt Apple did this solely to keep people from upgrading. There is most likely another side to this story as for the reason they did it. In any event, it is not the end of the world imo
What's wrong with all of you trolls?? I think it's wonderful that we now have to use proprietary Hard Drives in our iMacs. Think about it, do you really want to use a "crappy, clunky, and junky" Windows Hard Drive??
AS you know, Apple doesn't cater to tinkerers. Leave a highly technical job (like changing out a Hard Drive) to the experts, The Apple Geniuses.
And on top of that, since Apple will charge a BIG markup to replace these drives (plus labor), That means HIGHER Stock Prices!!!! Woooo Hooo AND More profits for APPLE!!!!!!! (I hope they put Elegant Apple stickers on them!)
Microsoft is TOAST!!!!! WOOOO HOOOO.. THANKS STEVE!!! Now, let's make the App store the only method of installing software on our elegant, delicious, magical, and sexy Macs Now!!!!
AS you know, Apple doesn't cater to tinkerers. Leave a highly technical job (like changing out a Hard Drive) to the experts, The Apple Geniuses.
And on top of that, since Apple will charge a BIG markup to replace these drives (plus labor), That means HIGHER Stock Prices!!!! Woooo Hooo AND More profits for APPLE!!!!!!! (I hope they put Elegant Apple stickers on them!)
Microsoft is TOAST!!!!! WOOOO HOOOO.. THANKS STEVE!!! Now, let's make the App store the only method of installing software on our elegant, delicious, magical, and sexy Macs Now!!!!
Hmm? You realize that neither Apple nor PC vendors makes hard drives. There are a few hdd manufacturers who supply for all computer vendors. They all pool from the same group of products
Yeah because their thermal system plain sucks. iMacs get really toasty real easy. And they are greedy. Since Mac Pros are so friggin expensive and iMacs now even suck more, I will be getting a souped up desktop instead of a mac. Will check the hackintosh hcl real soon
When will Steve realize that there is no mac?iFans can jump up and down waving the "superior build quality" all they want.
This is retarded.
This is retarded.
1. I disagree. When you pay 2k for a computer, whether All in One or not, you should care what goes into it.
2. I disagree. a Mac Pro runs about 1.5x to 2x the cost (when adding a screen).
3. It is silly not to think he is sitting around finding ways to corner the market. That is what CEO's Teams do. Most are not as controlling as this guy. He is too arrogant.
4. If that is the case, I am sure they will let the manufacturers release the firmware needed. Or Apple will provide a download for it so anyone can update the drive. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN because the point is that they want you to buy their upgrades.
5. I dont know but I have my doubts. It will definitely cost them users. I know so many people who never consider Apple for this very reason. Again, the CEO is arrogant.
6. Read the warranty, it doesn't void it. They will not cover anything you broken during an unauthorized upgrade made by a non-apple technician. That doesn't void your warranty, but it does say they will not fix the screen connector if you break it, while pulling the screen off, etc... I have read the warranty 10 times. NO WHERE does it void the warranty.
7. Pretty much that would only apply to Apple. I dont see Dell, HP, etc doing this...
7b. I agree with one thing you said here. This is their case for Thunderbolt. They now want you to have to buy it. and I am sure it is at the ridiculous Apple Prices.
Lets hope there is a solution soon
This blows. That rules out the iMac replacement I was considering. Now that leaves the Macpro, which frankly is a rip-off for what you get so I guess I'll just spend the $$$ on upgrade parts for my PC. I refuse to pay what apple charges for HDs it's criminal! And I want to choosen what drive I want to put in and not have Apple tell me. Lame. What sucks is that apple is actually now pushing me down the hackintosh path...
That was part of the issue though. It was easy to use but it was designed terribly with cheap components. I see what you mean though. A Few captive screws (don't over tighten!!), a few HDD screws, mount the temp sensor with tape, and close lid. Done HDD replaced in less than 5 minutes on those older iMacs. It was magic!
You are right about the FUD. The OWC blog is there to push their products, not to provide unbiased information.
Will this stop me from buying the new iMac? I hope not, but the situation has me concerned, because I do plan on installing my own SSD. I hope a truly unbiased confirmation of this soon
they said that the drive was easily replaceable if you didn't mind taking out the screen to access it....
one would think they are smart enough to have figured out if it was using different connectors and the like. It's not like this is their first teardown.
I also think it's a little weird that nobody has tried replacing the drives in one yet and this is the first we are hearing about this problem and also that OWC are the only people reporting this problem.
Hopefully we can get some more concrete information soon.