MOTUnation.com

This is truly surprising and ridiculous.

I just found out that recently, Apple-Mexico sent an order to all its authorized distributors and repair centers in Mexico that instructs them NOT to accept doing any modifications, upgrades or additions to their computers that involve installing or changing non-Apple brand items.

That means if you buy RAM or SSDs from OWC, you're on your own. You must instal them yourself knowing that the instant you touch the inside of your Mac the warranty becomes void.
The only way to have a repair center do it for you (conserving the warranty) is ONLY if the additions are Apple brand (which cost twice as much, of course).

Is this how it is in the USA as well, or is this more like a typical 3rd-world country crap?

I don't now if any other country has the same policy. But if you post this at Ars Technica's Apple section, we'd probably find out pretty quickly.

I'm not that surprised.

I've never heard of Apple employees installing third party hardware in the USA?
I've always done it myself, Apple even have instructions on how to do it, and no, it doesn't void your warranty to install third party hard drives, RAM, or certified video cards etc. I'm not sure where you heard that? The only thing is exactly what you would expect, that if your OWC RAM dies Apple will not replace it, and conversely if for some reason a third party hard drive explodes and takes out other hardware Apple will probably not fix that either. In fact none of that changes if you have the Apple Store instal the third party hardware. Of course if you buy RAM and hard drives from the Apple store to instal, then those are covered.

AFAIK Apple USA won't install any 3rd party hardware or software unless it's part of the initial purchase - and that only applies to software packages they might offer.

The thing is that only Apple certified people are supposed to touch the inside of the computer. Now Apple is not letting them touch the computers without loosing the warranty.

That's the way it's been explained to me by at least 10-12 Apple-authorized shops.

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Ok. I was just on the line with an Apple rep, and he confirmed all that... So even if a certified apple center does the upgrade for me, the mere fact of the HDs not being Apple brand voids the warranty.

Changing the interior hard drives of my MMs is beyond my comfort zone. It looks quite complicated and I don't think I'm up to it (I'll have to practically disassemble the computer, including the logic board). I've done it in the past with other computers, but these models are different and much more involved...

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:AFAIK Apple USA won't install any 3rd party hardware or software unless it's part of the initial purchase - and that only applies to software packages they might offer.

Correct... as I was just told by an Apple rep.

So it's not only a Mexican thing, huh? Well, I still think it sucks!

I mean, I can understand Apple people not doing non-Apple upgrades themselves, but voiding the warranty by simply installing an OWC HD instead of an Apple HD????

At the very least, they should clearly tell you that in their website when you are purchasing the computer. Right where the offer the upgrades, this Apple policy should be clearly stated, should it not? Something like:
Failing to purchase upgrades right now will render any future ones void. Non-Apple upgrades will also void the warranty.

Also, OWC didn't mention any of these caveats... Hmmmm....
I'm not pointing fingers at anyone in particular at this point, but I can't help feeling a little "played" or let down...

Had I know this before hand, I simply would've ordered the upgrades directly from the Apple store, even if they cost twice as much, but I didn't hear this from either Apple or OWC

That last part ain't true here. You can install or have some install such upgrades and the warranty is still valid. Double check your source.

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:That last part ain't true here. You can install or have some install such upgrades and the warranty is still valid. Double check your source.

Well, as one always must do down here, I will have to speak to at least 2 other Apple reps, so I can make some kind of "average" with their responses (it won't surprise me when tomorrow someone else tells me something completely different).

But none of the Apple authorized shops I've called were willing to do it unless I sign some kind of non-responsibility agreement, or hire one of their employees "under the table", like we do business around here

Usually anyone will jump at an opportunity for some work (bad economy). But these guys still won't touch them without the agreement!

Here's Apple themselves explaining how to change out RAM in the new Mac Pro.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht6054

Apple employees aren't always the brightest eggs they think they are.
No, upgrading RAM or hard drives in any machine does not void the warranty, maybe on a Retina Macbook Pro or something like that? but not on a Mini or on a tower.

Here's a third party explanation for the Mini.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+La ... ment/11716

Upgrading a Mini is not as daunting as it appears. The late ones are much easier than the early ones that required a stiff putty knife. I can upgrade the early ones one-handed.

I can see this for maybe laptops and iMacs, but not for a Mac Pro. Maybe it is model dependent?

Putting RAM in my MBP and iMac was not a problem for warranties. As someone pointed out, Apple tells you how to do it. But of course if the RAM doesn't work, it's your own problem.

Yeah, as far as I know, upgrading components only voids the warranty of that particular component (duh), or in the cases that the component is directly responsible for damaging another part of the computer. Swapping out the HDD will NOT put you SOL if the motherboard breaks. However, if that HDD crashes, you're on your own.

That is surprising considering that none of the hard drives and memory chips that I have ever replaced were marked as Apple hardware. They were all standard 'off the rack' third party components. If you stick to the brands that Apple uses how can they even tell wether or not these upgrades where installed by Apple? Maybe they are now being marked with a special Apple wax seal.