Macbook Pro hardrive...

I've just ordered a Macbook Pro from a store in Australia. They had a 10% off laptops special on so I buckled and went for a mac ($300 isn't bad!). As they can only get in base models I went for the 2.4ghz 15 inch model. The hardrive in this is 160gb but in the future I'm thinking of upgrading to a larger one. Can the hardrives in a macbook pro be upgraded easily or is it something that you have to send to apple to do?

 

It is very difficult to upgrade the HD of a Macbook Pro. You have to practically take the entire computer apart. If you really have to upgrade, then I would recommend you either have Apple do it (expensive), or have someone who has experience switching MBP HDs do it.

 

I've replaced the drive on both the 15" and 17" models. You certainly don't have to practically take the entire computer apart.

It's easier to change the drive on the 17" rather than 15" as it doesn't have the slightly awkward clips at the front of the case.

I've just dropped a 320gb WD into a 17".

I've also spoken to Apple on more than one occasion and as long as you don't break anything it will not void your warranty.

There are plenty of guides how to change the HDD. Just be patient and take your time.

 

That goes against everything I've read about replacing the HD on the MBP in that it does void the warranty. Hope you got that in writing just in case.

 

I agree with ATC. I've heard it voids the warranty. Even saw it on apples site i believe.

It's not that hard (I went from a 100gb 7200 rpm to a 250gb 5400rpm) and it wasn't terribly difficult. If putting together a desktop scares you, I wouldn't venture into this.

 

Yeah it's really not hard to replace the hard drive in a MBP AT ALL. Not hard. Takes time? Yes. Hard? Nope. I've done it twice (I took apart my system a second time - just for fun -), and it's pretty easy actually. Just follow one of the numerous guides and you really can't go wrong unless you're really clumsy. I can have the system apart in under 10 minutes.

 

how about getting an external hard drive instead? you can easily get a terabyte drive for under 200 now a days.

 

So it actually voids the warranty on it for sure if you upgrade the hard drive yourself?? Has anyone upgraded their hard drive and had trouble with Apple warranty service? You can just swap back to the old drive before getting repairs couldn't you?

 

I'd likea 7200 RPM myself...maybe next month.