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Buying an "empty" MacBook Pro

A

Aquis

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 7, 2007
63
0
Staffordshire, UK
Hello,

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy an "empty" MacBook Pro directly from Apple? That is, without a Hard Disk or any RAM.

The reason for this is that I've already got these parts, and wondered if I could get the MacBook Pro fairly cheaper if I get it without the parts I already have. Also, if this was to work, do I need someone to install the parts for me so as I do not loose the warranty?

Thanks
 
Nope, nothing I have seen on the website points to any sort of "empty" option, and I higly doubt that Apple would provide such a service. (It would have to come through a third party but I am pretty sure they can't buy "empty" macbook pro's either) Apple looks at their products as just that, products, and they come with what they come with (a few options upgradeable), nothing more, nothing less. Look like you have to look for discounts outside of Apple or bite the bullet.

-Josh :apple:
 
You can't buy an 'empty' MacBook Pro from Apple, and even if you could; The hard drive in them is not user serviceable, and any work thereupon would void the warranty.
 
Aquis said:
Hello,

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy an "empty" MacBook Pro directly from Apple? That is, without a Hard Disk or any RAM.

The reason for this is that I've already got these parts, and wondered if I could get the MacBook Pro fairly cheaper if I get it without the parts I already have. Also, if this was to work, do I need someone to install the parts for me so as I do not loose the warranty?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Honestly, your best bet is to buy a MBP "full" and to swap in your parts (assuming they are better than the stock Apple HDD and RAM) and then sell the Apple parts on eBay or craigslist. Alternatively, keep the MBP as is and sell the parts you already have. The end result is a discounted MBP. As said before, the hard drive is difficult to replace on the MBP, but there are step-by-step instructions with pictures online and you could do it.

-Ado
 
Apple will not do that, but I'm sure you can find a dealer that is willing to "buy" the spare parts from you; however, you will not benefit 100% but it's still probably better than nothing. But be sure you're buying from authorized dealer, because hard drive swapping voids warranty otherwise.
 
The HDD swap will take less than 15 minutes, and it is not hard. However, you will have a hard time getting warranty work done whether or not Apple is in the legal right to deny you.

It was not a hard choice for me after smashing my warranty by installing a WUXGA screen. Now I am looking at an optibay with a second HDD to continue the spirit of product improvement. ;)
 
where to buy an empty macbook pro shell

does anyone know WHERE to buy an empty macbook pro shell? because i would like to replace the:
Processor
RAM
Video Card
Hard drive
not really empty, but i would like a macbook pro case that does not carry these items. is there any place that provides what i need?
 
BenTehGamer said:
does anyone know WHERE to buy an empty macbook pro shell? because i would like to replace the:
Processor
RAM
Video Card
Hard drive
not really empty, but i would like a macbook pro case that does not carry these items. is there any place that provides what i need?
Click to expand...

The CPU and GPU are soldered on to the MacBook Pro.
 
BenTehGamer said:
does anyone know WHERE to buy an empty macbook pro shell? because i would like to replace the:
Processor
RAM
Video Card
Hard drive
not really empty, but i would like a macbook pro case that does not carry these items. is there any place that provides what i need?
Click to expand...

A truly "empty" shell would have nothing in it, no logic board, no drives, no battery. You would never find all the parts. You can't really upgrade either the video or cpu even with the standard logic board.
 
BenTehGamer said:
not really empty, but i would like a macbook pro case that does not carry these items. is there any place that provides what i need?
Click to expand...

Depending on what computer you have, you could probably scour the repair sites for parts.
 
119576 said:
You can't buy an 'empty' MacBook Pro from Apple, and even if you could; The hard drive in them is not user serviceable, and any work thereupon would void the warranty.
Click to expand...

the hard drive is user replacable. facts check. this thread is somehow strange.
 
119576 said:
You can't buy an 'empty' MacBook Pro from Apple, and even if you could; The hard drive in them is not user serviceable, and any work thereupon would void the warranty.
Click to expand...

Depends on what you mean by "user servicable". Apple documents hard drive replacement steps on their website. It is considered user replacable, which is probably what you mean.

Hard drives themselves are not user servicable, but the "service" from a user's perspective is to replace the drive with faulty. See previous with respect to drive replacement.
 
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