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Apple Restricts Hard Drive Replacements on New iMacs
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This isn't "...not going to go out of their way to make [it] user-replaceable...", this is actively going out of their way to PREVENT user-replaceability.
If a car company makes it difficult to replace the spark plug, it's not a big deal. If they even hide it under a panel that requires a unique tool (that isn't available to the general public,) it's not a huge deal. But as soon as they physically change the spark plug so that industry-standard spark plugs are not compatible, that is a problem.
iMacs aren't box PCs. You pay a premium for upgrading components due to the superior functioning design. If you prefer to be a PC tinkerer, then buy a generic PC and have at it.
And why let OCW stop you when Apple made it easier with the new 2011 iMac. Don't believe everything you read. OCW report is flawed. Do your own research.
Can anyone tinker on new automobiles anymore with all the electronics and non-standard parts? real enthusiasts build their own from scratch or buy a clunker.
No it's not. See links on this threads a few pages back with users successfully replacing / upgrading their hdd without any of the issues reported by the OCW. Also there is nothing special about the SATA power cable as temperature is probably read through SMART.
Well, replacing RAMS and HDDs should be as easy as replacing batteries on cars. It will be annoying as hell if you can only buy the battery directly from the auto company.
Maybe someone should start a thread of drive models or specifications that WILL work. I am also interested in the SSD drives that can be used to replace the primary drive..
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You've got to be kidding me.
No, seriously, this is a joke or a misstatement, right? Apple makes dick moves every now and then, but this can't be for real. If so, well, looks like I'm never buying an iMac again (at least until this crap stops). Because **** all if I'm ever going to pay the Apple tax on crap like HDDs and RAM.
I 100% agree...I was seriously considering my first iMac and no way, Jose. Sure, even though I'm a techie, there may be little reason for me to change the drive. HOWEVER, I want STANDARD basic parts so that if my hard drive dies/hiccups (a very good chance over a 4-5 year period), I can grab another one and do it myself in 4 minutes. Not to mention if I simply want to increase the storage 4 years down the road (but more likely I would just add a USB drive). Still.
Paying the Apple tax for a hard drive is ludicrous. They could have simply used SSDs (faster and quieter and I believe cooler) to solve their precious heat problem. Or <GASP!> Apple could have put a few vents/fans on the back of the unit.
Proprietary drives and firmware on the drives is bull.
And Mac fans wonder why still, in 2011, Apple has 8% of the personal computer market share...and has been below 8% for 20 years. That's not a typo.
Wait a second... aren't all SATA data connectors 7-pin? I know on the SATA drive sitting right next to me, there's 7 pins....
EDIT: Wait another second, this is the _power_ connector? The power connector has always had a lot more than 4 OR 7 pins. Only older IDE drives had 4-pin (Molex) connectors. This story makes no sense.
EDIT: Wait another second, this is the _power_ connector? The power connector has always had a lot more than 4 OR 7 pins. Only older IDE drives had 4-pin (Molex) connectors. This story makes no sense.
Much uninvited advice here on the forums. I may not own a PC, but sometimes tinkering can be useful. My iMac (5.1) died at the tender age of 4, dead HD, just out of warranty. Throw out and buy a new one ($1000)?, get Appple to replace HD ($3-400)? Get help from the good people on MR, iFixit and OWC and get triple sized new HD ($60 plus some screwdrivers). All good, so don't tell me to buy a PC if I want to tinker and yes, HDs will fail and you may even want to upsize or switch to SSD within the life-span of a Mac.
Now, what I don't get is that switching HDs is how OWC makes money, so why would they spread a seemingly unfounded rumor (based on the number of successes already out there)?
Now, what I don't get is that switching HDs is how OWC makes money, so why would they spread a seemingly unfounded rumor (based on the number of successes already out there)?
The people on this site are not the average clueless shmoe. Yes, a high percentage of consumers will never know and likely never care.
But this Apple tax is quite obvious to anyone in the computer industry...it's not just MacRumors reporting this info.
So what are the Mac enthusiasts supposed to buy? A $2600 Mac Pro? Not. A Mac Mini with 0 monitor and 0 keyboard and 0 mouse? Nope.
Have you noticed Apple's snide little "Configurable...only on the Apple online Mac Store"?! So a)I can't customize my macs at Amazon or Best Buy or anywhere else and b)I can't even customize them at an Apple brick and mortar store!!!
Apple loves to be in the business of pissing people off. And they wonder why 8% of the world owns a Mac...and has been stuck in this percentage since the '80s.
It's OWC, not OCW.
And I'm not sure if this was posted (can't ready every post!), but a SATA Power connector has 15 pins. A slimline has 6, and a micro has 9 according to wikipedia and my own eyes looking at a standard connector. Also, the power connector of an old 160 Gig Seagate 7200.7 has 15 Leads going to the control board, and I count the same on the in the iFixit picture. (and even if they meant the SATA data cable, it's still equal on old drive and pic.)
Where are they getting 4 and 7 numbers from?
Sorry again if that was posted, but certainly no harm having it on multiple pages
oh come on Apple. and when i thought things were going so great for you, and i defend you, you go and do something like this....why?
, I can't support this.First, I was very disappointed that Apple would do something crappy like this in the new iMac (which I plan to buy).
Then, I was disappointed that OWC had published something that may not be true based upon what a single machine did without verifying it on another machine.
And now, I'm disappointed in MacRumours for posting this drivel without attempting to verify it with user reports.
Then, I was disappointed that OWC had published something that may not be true based upon what a single machine did without verifying it on another machine.
And now, I'm disappointed in MacRumours for posting this drivel without attempting to verify it with user reports.