Apple restrict ability for do-it-yourself HDD replacements on iMacs

[Marc]

Re: Apple restrict ability for do-it-yourself HDD replacements on iMac

http://www.macrumors.com/2011/05/12/apple-restricts-hard-drive-replacements-on-new-imacs-2/

For the main 3.5" SATA hard drive bay in the new 2011 machines, Apple has altered the SATA power connector itself from a standard 4-pin power configuration to a 7-pin configuration. Hard drive temperature control is regulated by a combination of this cable and Apple proprietary firmware on the hard drive itself. From our testing, we've found that removing this drive from the system, or even from that bay itself, causes the machine's hard drive fans to spin at maximum speed and replacing the drive with any non-Apple original drive will result in the iMac failing the Apple Hardware Test (AHT).

Bastards.

But what's to stop some-one from installing their drive if they bend over and pay apple's prices.

And given the design of the machines, the tempratures some drives are now running and the heat from the processor/video etc I can also understand them taking extra steps to try and keep the system a bit cooler.

 

[Lindley]

Re: Apple restrict ability for do-it-yourself HDD replacements on iMac

But the iTunes Store only sells AAC, right?

I don't think so. I know that was true at one time, but for a while at least (not sure if it's still true) you could pay a few cents extra to get plain MP3s instead. Also some of their free downloads (like podcasts) come as MP3s.

Besides, the iTunes store isn't the only way to get music into iTunes (and thence onto an iPod). Simply drag-and-drop any MP3 you want.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Re: Apple restrict ability for do-it-yourself HDD replacements on iMac

But the iTunes Store only sells AAC, right?

I don't think so. I know that was true at one time, but for a while at least (not sure if it's still true) you could pay a few cents extra to get plain MP3s instead. Also some of their free downloads (like podcasts) come as MP3s.

Besides, the iTunes store isn't the only way to get music into iTunes (and thence onto an iPod). Simply drag-and-drop any MP3 you want.

Right, I knew iTunes supported MP3s, but not that Apple sold them!

 

[Marc]

Re: Apple restrict ability for do-it-yourself HDD replacements on iMac

Yes, iPods have always played MP3s. Because if they don't, what the hell have I been playing on mine?

Yeah they play MP3's, I think the confusion come's from the fact that like lots of shitty mp3 players of the past you could only get those mp3's on your player by going through itunes. No option for simple drag and drop operation. This hard drive thing isn't a big deal because I'm guessing the iMac customer base largely wouldn't bother to try to change the harddrive themselves. Why miss an opportunity to go to the Apple store and spend money right? Sometimes you have to protect the consumer from themselves.

Looking at the wiki yes it the iTunes stores sells them in .acc format which is an ISO defined standard (i.e it's not something Apple came up with) and it supposedly offers better quality audio then the mp3.

Apple's been overcharging for hard drives for years, now they get to force the issue... wish I could say I was surprised.

And it would suggest that you don't follow the industry very much becasue ALL named brand vendors charge way over price for drives, memory, processors etc etc etc.

Apply is not unique in this.

Sometimes they justify by tweaking the firm, other times you might also need a caddy for the drive (e.g you're putting into a server with hotswap bays).

There can also be a warranty factor. IF your system comes with on-site warranty then the vendor has to cover that as well.

 

[BlobVanDam]

Re: Apple restrict ability for do-it-yourself HDD replacements on iMac

It's Apple. Is anyone really shocked by this kind of thing anymore?

Not in the slightest. I'm surprised they haven't already been doing this. It's not like you can do much inside one of those iMacs anyway, which is why I paid a little extra for my second hand one to make sure it had what I needed, because I knew that once I had it, I was stuck with it like that.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Re: Apple restrict ability for do-it-yourself HDD replacements on iMac

Here's the question - do the newer Mac's still use FireWire? I only ask because there is still the potential of plugging external drives in to bypass the whole proprietary issue. True, the speed wouldn't be as good as the native SATA options, but at least it is an option.

I also wouldn't underestimate the ingenuity of EE hackers out there that figure out a way to build and publish schematics to an easily-made adaptor to allow everyone to use standard equipment on the newer Mac's. This could all be a non-issue in the end.

 

[Marc]

Re: Apple restrict ability for do-it-yourself HDD replacements on iMac

Here's the question - do the newer Mac's still use FireWire? I only ask because there is still the potential of plugging external drives in to bypass the whole proprietary issue. True, the speed wouldn't be as good as the native SATA options, but at least it is an option.

I also wouldn't underestimate the ingenuity of EE hackers out there that figure out a way to build and publish schematics to an easily-made adaptor to allow everyone to use standard equipment on the newer Mac's. This could all be a non-issue in the end.

yep they have Firewire 800.

 

[Marc]

Re: Apple restrict ability for do-it-yourself HDD replacements on iMac

Intering observation.

The OP mentioned about Apple changing the power connecter from 4 to 7 pin.

Just struck me when reading an article - SATA drives have always had a 7 pin power connector
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4337/z68-ssd-caching-with-corsairs-f40-sandforce-ssd
(it's an SSD but the connections are the same).

The only time you see four is the cables going to the plug so it's quite possible that what Apple is doing it actually using a feature that's been there from the get go just never used.