Can I take my iMac to an Apple store and have the Geniuses replace its Fusion drive with a pure SSD?
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You should ask them since we cannot speak for Apple in this context. That said, see relevant answer for more info: apple.stackexchange.com/a/239723/119271– AllanCommented May 16, 2018 at 22:15
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2 Answers
Yes and no.
If it's under warranty, then it's a definite no, even if you're willing to pay for it.
If it's not under warranty, the answer gets a little more complicated because it depends on the exact model of iMac, its status (i.e. is it considered by Apple to be vintage or obsolete), and to some degree to your location.
The best answer we can give here is that you need to contact your nearest Apple Store and ask them.
My advice would be that if it is under warranty, to just leave things as they are. If it's a real issue for you, then you may have other options (such as using an external SSD as your boot drive, etc).
answered May 16, 2018 at 22:19
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If it's under warranty, then it's a definite no, even if you're willing to pay for it. Why? The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects the consumer in this case.– AllanCommented May 16, 2018 at 22:59
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@Allan I confess I'm not familiar with that Act (obviously because I'm based in Australia, not the US), but my understanding is that except in the case of RAM, Apple won't modify the hardware configuration of a Mac while it's still under warranty. At least that's the case here in Australia. That is, they will replace hardware if/when necessary, but that hardware needs to meet the same specs. The only exception to this (besides RAM) is when Apple replaces hardware with something of better specs because they need to rectify a fault etc under warranty or an exchange or extended repair program.– Monomeeth ♦Commented May 16, 2018 at 23:07
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I'm curious though, what part of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act were you referring to in this case? Although, when I get a chance later, I'll read the entire article anyway.– Monomeeth ♦Commented May 16, 2018 at 23:08
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The Act basically states that you can modify/upgrade your product without voiding the warranty meaning you can upgrade the hardware (like HDD) and not invalidate the warranty if the GPU fails. That said, I wouldn't take anything to a "Genius." I've gotten more wrong info from them - at least here in the States.– AllanCommented May 16, 2018 at 23:24
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Sounds like my kind of Act! And yeah, I've come across my fair share of Geniuses who don't necessarily know what they're talking about. Much better to say I don't know or I'll have to check then to put it on. As for the OP's question and the Act, I don't think Apple argues that you'd invalidate the warranty by doing the upgrade (although they certainly won't cover something if the upgrade or the act of upgrading caused a problem), just that they themselves won't change the specs of a Mac during the warranty period. I'd be surprised if this was different in the US, but it may well be.– Monomeeth ♦Commented May 17, 2018 at 0:43
M-M prohibits manufacturers from requiring that repairs or maintenance be done by authorized service centers using OEM parts and supplies in order for the product's warranty to remain in effect. While customer-initiated product changes unrelated to a failure don't invalidate warranty coverage on other parts of a covered mechanism, M-M does not require manufacturers to upgrade or change their products at customer request, even if the customer is willing to pay for the work.
The "no" that the OP will hear is because Apple chooses not to modify its products still under warranty. This is a rational position. The OP must either wait until the warranty is over (in which case an Apple service center or store might do the work), or take the Mac to to a non-Apple provider, or do the work on his own.
answered May 16, 2018 at 23:46
