MacBook DIY hard drive replacement from Apple

@ SteveParr

I'm afraid you bought the wrong replacement Steve...
MacBooks have a 2.5" S(erial)ATA interface, and would you're describing ("pins") sounds like a P(arallel)ATA drive.
So, I'd suggest you check that before trying to stuff it in and break something!

Good luck.

Could you give me more info about swapping the hard drive cover? On my replacement (Momentus 7200 80GB) there are pins, on the Fujitzu I am replacing there is a contact strip. Is this correct, or did I buy the wrong replacement?

They should seriously ship the hardware with this information - even URL info for FAQs and DIYs.

A torx screwdriver should cost you less than $3.00. If your local hardware store doesn't carry them, try Sears.

@Ryan

Yea I dropped 2GB of ram in mine immediately after I got mine. I went with the Transcend JetRam from NewEgg (they ship from the other side of Memphis most of the time so I get it next day). I've had no problems out of it thusfar. Prices have dropped a lot since I got mine though. I was excited when I got each of my individual 1GB sticks for about $65 8 months ago. Now you can pick up 2GB kits for as low as $87 shipped. www.dealram.com is a good place to check ram prices that I've found.

@ Adam

Yeah Im just stating what I was told over the phone (she was from apple care). I replaced the laughable 60 gig with a 160 from seagate. Now I just need to get 2 gigs of ram...

A torx T8 is what holds the drive caddy also...

@ Ryan

I officially asked Applecare (not a sales agent) and they said that as long as you don't damage the computer itself during the install it does not void the warranty. According to him there are no specific requirements, etc. Just thought I'd throw that little bit in. I've got a 160GB Hitachi in mine, but I switch back to the "Apple" (actually a Segate) 80GB drive if I send it off to be repaired. That way I won't have to worry about theft and/or data loss while its being shipped (I live in Memphis and there have been several computers stolen from our DHL shipping center...including one of my Fiancee's----it was replaced, but still was a bitch).

maybe they didn't link directly to it because some people (like myself) don't like links directly to PDFs.

Why not link directly to the actual you reference, instead of a general link to Apple's manuals page?

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/MacBook_13inch_HardDrive_DIY.pdf

Chris Hauserman (the guy behind the 3rd post). Unscrewing the top metal part from the hard drive itself requires only a standard Philips screwdriver