[bbales]

I posted earlier about some problems I was having with my 12-in PB. It sounds like the drive is going. I have everything off of it, so that's not the issue. I called Apple, and without actually going to a store and conferring with a genius, I have an estimate of $250 to $500 to have Apple replace the drive.

I found a place online (MacService, in Santa Clara, CA) which also does repairs, and has vastly more reasonable prices. And then I thought to look in the phone book and found a repair place in the next town. They told me if I bought the drive myself, they'd charge about $90 to put in the new drive. (This place, according to the ad, is an authorized reseller and service provider.)

My question: any one have any experience in this realm? I don't really feel comforttable opening up the laptop and doing the work myself. One of these options seems to be a better one than taking it to Apple. The machine is 4 years old so it's out of AppleCare.

[BigBadBiologist]

The process doesn't look all that hard:
PowerBook G4 Al 12" Disassembly: Installing HD Replacement - PowerBook Parts

I can't imagine that they could screw anything up that badly.

[mduell]

CompUSA will do the swap for $30; you provide the drive of your choice. They are an Apple authorized service provider.

I had a bad experience a CompUSA on the east coast, but it was more of a problem with the local store employees than a systemic issue.

[bbales]

We have a Comp USA right here in town. I almost called them, too. So now I will. Thanks!