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adamfishercox · Sep 12, 2007, 02:23 PM

If you want the backstory, check out this thread:

http://forums.macnn.com/58/imac-emac...im-ticked-off/

I'd like some cost estimates for the following scenarios. No, I do NOT have AppleCare, and I know I can get it done cheaper elsewhere. Unless you have a price idea for a cheaper store, dont post here telling me where I MIGHT be able to go to MAYBE get thid done.

COMPUTER:

iMac Core Duo 20"

SCENARIO 1:

Replace my 250 GB HD with another 250 GB

SCENARIO 2:

Replace 250 GB Drive with 500 GB

Price ideas, please

mduell · Sep 12, 2007, 03:54 PM

Apple quoted me $350 to replace the 40GB HDD in a 12" PowerBook (at a time when 40GB drives were perhaps $40). I doubt it will be as high, so perhaps $250. They didn't even offer the option of upgrading the capacity.

Drop $100 on a 500G drive at Newegg and then have CompUSA install it for $30 if you're worried about preserving your warranty/unable to do it yourself.

adamfishercox · Sep 12, 2007, 03:56 PM

Is CompUSA trustworthy for fixing macs?

stwain2003 · Sep 12, 2007, 06:40 PM

Yes, they are. I had them work on my mini a few years ago, and they were great.

adamfishercox · Sep 12, 2007, 06:42 PM

Cool... So I'm looking at buying the hard Drive, bringing it into CompUSA, say "install this," they do it, and I pay them $30?

Sounds too good to be true.

adamfishercox · Sep 12, 2007, 06:50 PM

And all they have on newegg under mac Drives is externals... Which Internal Drives are compatible with the imac core duo?

Is this one?

Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar T7K500 HDT725050VLA360 (0A33437) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Or this one?

Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

mduell · Sep 13, 2007, 02:54 AM

Any SATA drive will work in the iMac.... I'd recommend the 500G Seagate for $120: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Info about CompUSA: CompUSA.com - Installations and Upgrades
The hardest part is finding one of their stores that didn't close in the last year.

adamfishercox · Sep 13, 2007, 09:07 AM

So both of those that I listed above ARE compatible then?

And is there much of a difference between cheaper hard drives and more expensive ones of the same capacity? Would there be much benefit in it for me going for the one you recommended as opposed to the top one I asked about?

And lastly, CompUSA does install HDs not bought from them? I.E NewEgg ones?

iREZ · Sep 13, 2007, 10:38 AM

yes, you're paying them for the labor and that's all.

g'luck

mduell · Sep 13, 2007, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by adamfishercox

So both of those that I listed above ARE compatible then?

And is there much of a difference between cheaper hard drives and more expensive ones of the same capacity? Would there be much benefit in it for me going for the one you recommended as opposed to the top one I asked about?

And lastly, CompUSA does install HDs not bought from them? I.E NewEgg ones?

Yes.

Warranty lengths vary substantially between brands, from 1 to 5 years.

Yes.

adamfishercox · Sep 13, 2007, 05:12 PM

Apparently, Mr. COMP-USA doesn't agree. I was quoted $250 (Hard Drive price included) to have the HD installed and the other HD mounted in an external chassis.