On 12/03/2010 01:01 AM, Rob Ross wrote:
The issue is not well specified, and I suspect this is on purpose. In general, the prevailing
"wisdom" has been : if the user guide for the product has instructions on how to replace something,
then it's considered a "user replaceable" part. However, the disclaimers in the guide and license
make it possible that if you do replace something, and you later have a hardware problem, it's possible
they'll say it is not covered because you failed to follow the instructions in the manual and have voided
your warranty. (The actual text in the guide is something like : "Failing to follow the instructions may
void your warranty" )
That's a pretty typical defensive clause, that's even obvious. A
warranty is invalidated even in case of improper use (try to plug 220V
into an USB port or to use your MBP under the shower and see whether
Apple will change the parts under warranty). Several years ago I had
some severe litigation with a well-known (non Apple) computer retailer
because he sold me a broken disk (I mean, broken from the very
beginning). He initially didn't want to change the unit asserting that I
didn't mount it correctly. Actually the warranty excludes such cases, so
it's a matter of demonstrating what's happened - but the "you failed to
follow the instructions" clause doesn't mean that merely mounting a hard
disk invalidates the warranty, since the warranty would be just a joke!
So I say this is not a point.
What has been "user replaceable" has been very much dependent on the specific model. Most
of the consumer Mac Books have had user replaceable hard drives. Most of the Mac Book *Pro* line
have not; only since the late 2008 models (unibody) have internal hard drives been considered
"user replaceable."
Yes, but the trend is that as times goes on, more and more stuff is user
replaceable and, to stay in topic, at the moment all MBs and MBPs have
both memory and disk user replaceable. So, the original poster is right
in guessing why there's a step back for SSD (a valid argument would be
something technical specific to SSD - I've never seen a SSD thus I don't
know whether it's more susceptible to damage in case of incorrect handling).
The warranty policy has also been implemented very inconsistently. Read the
Apple discussion board for a variety of user experiences in replacing hard
drives, having issues, taking them in to Apple for repair, and having a variety
of outcomes, from no problems at all, to Apple technicians telling them they
can't service the product because they've replaced a non-serviceable part and
therefore are no longer covered under warranty.
Again, resistance to honour warranties is a typical practice (especially
when one does not subscribe additional offers, such as AppleCare or
equivalent in other brands). I've heard people complaining about cases
where no parts were user replaced.
--
Fabrizio Giudici - Java Architect, Project Manager
Tidalwave s.a.s. - "We make Java work. Everywhere."
java.net/blog/fabriziogiudici - www.tidalwave.it/people
[email protected]
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