HDD warranties cut!

Steve · Dec 17, 2011, 07:53:55

Looks like the lack of competition in the HDD market has allowed Seagate and Western Digital to cut their warranties

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/storage/2011/12/16/seagate-and-western-digital-cut-hard-drive-warranties-40094669/

"Western Digital is buying Hitachi Global Storage Technologies — one of its main competitors — while Seagate recently acquired Samsung's disk-drive division. With this consolidation, the hard-drive industry is increasingly led by its two key players: Seagate and Western Digital."

"Western Digital's new warranties take effect from 2 January, while Seagate's come in on 31 December. For Western Digital, only the Caviar Blue, Caviar Green and Scorpio Blue models are affected."

Rik · Dec 17, 2011, 11:22:14

OTOH, if the rest of the industry increased their warranties to three years, we'd be applauding.

Simon · Dec 17, 2011, 11:28:54

If I'm correct, bearing in mind that the warranty only covers the drive itself, not the data, is it really that critical to have a three year warranty for a relatively inexpensive product?

Rik · Dec 17, 2011, 11:30:45

No, not as such, but the warranty also gives an idea of what the manufacturer thinks the working life of the drive is, so my worry would be that a reduced warranty could lead to reduced quality.

Simon · Dec 17, 2011, 11:31:36

I guess that's a possibility.

Steve · Dec 17, 2011, 11:37:48

I agree Rik, As the article states though perhaps it's just a quick fix to boost profits as a consequence in the reduction of warranty claims. But then again everything's backed up and a potentially less reliable drive would give me chance to use them for once.

Rik · Dec 17, 2011, 11:40:53

I'm going to have to cure your masochism, Steve.

Lance · Dec 17, 2011, 11:55:21

* Lance passes Rik a pair of scissors

Steve could well be right re profits. With the future liability significantly reduced the provision for repairs and replacements profits will instantly look much better.

Rik · Dec 17, 2011, 11:59:51

Let's hope that's all it is.

pctech · Dec 17, 2011, 19:15:12

The new system I was looking at had a Samsung Spinpoint drive in it, I didn't know Seagate had bought them.

Blast another decent make goine. I have a Maxtor drive in this machine from when they were actually Maxtor.

pctech · Dec 17, 2011, 19:20:12

I expect Seagate and WD will come out with some kind of online backup subscription service now.

gizmo71 · Dec 17, 2011, 23:03:11

Quote from: pctech on Dec 17, 2011, 19:20:12
I expect Seagate and WD will come out with some kind of online backup subscription service now.

They'll probably store the data in Thailand.

pctech · Dec 18, 2011, 09:54:01

Glenn · Dec 18, 2011, 10:16:16

Quote from: pctech on Dec 17, 2011, 19:15:12
The new system I was looking at had a Samsung Spinpoint drive in it, I didn't know Seagate had bought them.

Blast another decent make goine. I have a Maxtor drive in this machine from when they were actually Maxtor.

It was announced in April http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,25494.msg606633.html#msg606633