Can you upgrade your notebook HDD w/o voiding your warranty?

[Tostada]

I'll be getting a new laptop pretty soon, and I will probably be getting a 3-year on-site warranty with it.

I plan on getting the cheapest hard drive I can and then upgrading to a 7200 RPM drive myself. I will also no doubt upgrade the RAM before the 3-year warranty runs out.

So, how do the manufacturers feel about that? If you get a 3 or 4-year service contract, you certainly must be expected to upgrade your laptop before the warranty runs out. At the same time, they probably don't want to have to fix your laptop if you're some kind of idiot who just cracks it open to tinker around. What is their official position on this?

 

[fbrdphreak]

I believe it depends on the company.
Some companies void your warranty.
Others just don't cover problems related to your upgrade.

 

[corkyg]

I just (today) upgraded my relatively new HP dv1000 with a 100 GB, 5400 RPM Toshiba HDD. It has no effect on warranty because the HDD is user replaceable Same on Gateways, IBMs, WinBooks, - I would imagine Dell as well, but I don't know - never touched one. (They are very proprietary.)

 

[fbrdphreak]

Pretty much all notebooks have user-replaceable hard drives. But I've been told Acer voids your warranty if you even touch the RAM. Case by case basis, but most of the time it shouldn't matter I suppose

 

[ShellGuy]

FBRD,
I have talked with ACER about that and they said that atleast with the Ferrari that the HDD and the Ram was replaceable. I can't see why they would void ur warranty if you replace the hdd. They just wouldn't warranty ur new HDD.


Will G.

 

[fbrdphreak]

A user on the LL forums said he talked with Acer and heard the same things; one of our team members who runs his own notebook shop says he heard straight from Acer that it will void the warranty. I'd imagine he hears what they WANT customers to think, and the customers hear what Acer will allow. If they can discourage ppl from doing their own upgrades, all the better for them; but if a person calls asking they don't want to risk losing a customer over something so relatively small

 

[corkyg]

Looks like a good enough reason to simply not buy Acer.

When someone createsd a problem, you bypass and haul ass.

 

[fbrdphreak]

The notebook shop owner I previously mentioned just posted Acer warranty info
http://www.laptoplogic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=788

 

[ShellGuy]

Corky Find me a Lappy with the specs of the Acer Ferrari for about the same price now.

Will G.

 

[corkyg]

It's your choice. You state your specs and your price range - then we'll see what fits. If Acer meets your needs and price - then that's your call - just remember what the warranty says.

Anyway, it's only a limited 1 year warranty. Stick with what they give you then upgrade to your heart's content - no more warranty to worry about anyway. for $2k, it's a lot of notebook.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
FBRD,
I have talked with ACER about that and they said that atleast with the Ferrari that the HDD and the Ram was replaceable. I can't see why they would void ur warranty if you replace the hdd. They just wouldn't warranty ur new HDD.


Will G.

I have heard this confirmed from others and have to agree; upgrade the RAM & HDD all you want; but if other stuff like the mini-PCI card requires cracking the case don't touch it

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
Corky Find me a Lappy with the specs of the Acer Ferrari for about the same price now.

Will G.

Its still an Acer, but they're coming out with the 5020 series that should be significantly cheaper than the Ferrar with a Turion & X700 :Q

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