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160GB Apple TV upgrade kit from WeaKnees

by Bob Crabtree on 13 April 2007, 12:36

Tags: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qaifo

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It was only a matter of time before some smart reseller offered a hard-disk upgrade kit for the Apple TV network media player, so WeaKnees' introduction of a 160GByte package for $199 is no surprise but no less welcome for that.

The kit is said to provide:

* A 160GB Seagate drive with a five-year maker's warranty (first six month handled by WeaKnees)
* A Torx T8 tool
* Installation instructions with pictures

The company is also promising support on the phone, by email and on its Apple TV forum.

According to WeaKnees, the drive is fully prepared and ready to go - all the buyer has to do is use the supplied tool and instructions to remove the existing drive and install the new one. After that, it says, the Apple TV will re-synchronize with your iTunes to download all of your music, videos, and photos.


WeaKnees Apple TV HDD upgrade instructions
WeaKnees Apple TV HDD upgrade instructions

The company even let's you read the instructions in advance (184Kb PDF file - right-click to download), so you can see if you feel you'll be up to the job. Those who don't - or would rather not get their hands dirty - can pay an additional $49 for WeaKnees to do the installation.

Now all we want to know is when someone on the UK side of the pond is going to come up with similar upgrade offerings. Heard of any such thing or just feel like commenting about this development? Then share with us in this thread in the HEXUS.community.

HEXUS.links

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External.links

WeaKnees - Apple TV Upgrade Kit
WeaKnees - Apple TV Upgrade Kit instructions (184Kb PDF file - right-click to download)
WeaKnees - Apple TV support forum

Apple TV Hacks - home page
AwkwardTV - Wiki
Hackint0sh.org's AppleTV forum - home page (free registration required)
Hackint0sh.org - running full Mac OS X on Apple TV
Hackint0sh.org - dual-booting between the Apple TV's own operating system and OS X from the internal drive
Hackint0sh.org - keyboard emulator for the Apple IR handset
0xfeedbeef.com - how to use a Mac USB keyboard and mouse on an Apple TV
Photobucket - Apple TV pulled apart (literally!)
Rogue Amoeba - Apple TV Surprises and Impressions
Something Awful forums - Home page (chargeable registration required)

Apple UK - Apple TV home page
Apple UK - Apple TV specs
Apple UK - home page
Apple USA - home page

HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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Posted by lost eden - Fri 13 Apr 2007 13:40
Of course this will completely void the warranty of the Apple TV, no? The new drive coems with a 5-year warranty, but as soon as you open up the Apple TV then you can wave goodbye to it's warranty. I hope WeaKnees makes this clear on their site.
Posted by Bob Crabtree - Fri 13 Apr 2007 14:45
lost eden;1057933
Of course this will completely void the warranty of the Apple TV, no? The new drive coems with a 5-year warranty, but as soon as you open up the Apple TV then you can wave goodbye to it's warranty. I hope WeaKnees makes this clear on their site.

Well, this is what's said up high at the start of the opening page of the instructions - which as the article points out, you can download here (184Kb PDF file - right-click to download):

A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION:

Upgrading electrical equipment of this type presents a few physical hazards. As with most consumer electronics devices, components in the AppleTV may still carry a lethal charge, even after disconnecting from your power supply. Be aware of this while working inside your AppleTV.

Allow sufficient time for discharging of components and avoid contact as much as possible with potential hazards. While we have done everything we can to provide accurate, easy-to-follow instructions, we cannot be responsible for any damage done to your AppleTV or to yourself as a result of your upgrade.

By opening your AppleTV, you agree that neither weaKnees nor any of its members or affiliates is responsible in any way for any harm done.

Please be VERY careful when upgrading. NEVER open the AppleTV while the unit is plugged in and NEVER operate the AppleTV if the lid is not securely fastened.

PLEASE NOTE: Opening the AppleTV voids the Apple warranty.
Posted by lost eden - Sat 14 Apr 2007 14:18
Ah that's good to know, I could imagine many many angry broken Apple TV owners discovering for the first time that their warranty had been voided.
Posted by charleski - Sun 15 Apr 2007 15:04
As anyone following the AppleTV knows, there are a host of mods available for the OS that's loaded on the factory unit. All of these rely on installing a HD which has SSH enabled so that you can talk to the OS properly from another computer. So does the Weaknees replacement HD have the stock OS installed or a modded OS that will allow people to enhance their AppleTV further? There's no mention of this on their site.

I certainly wouldn't be happy to go through the laborious process of swapping an AppleTV HD only to find that it merely contains the stock OS that I couldn't modify further.

On a related note, isn't there a legal problem here? They must be selling a HD with Apple software on it. Isn't there a licensing issue with that, or have they cleared it with Apple?
Posted by Bob Crabtree - Mon 16 Apr 2007 22:59
Received an email from WeaKnees saying,

Thanks for posting the article about our kits. We are, actually, now shipping to the UK. Our cart doesn't handle it as-is, but if people email us, we are happy to work out the details!

I've asked the company to clarify charleski's two queries.