I want to upgrade hard disk to Seagate SSHD

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

This is a tough question. We have it on good authority from HP that even if you replace a part that is considered not customer accessible, HP will not void the warranty PROVIDED the replacement is done without any damage to the rest of the laptop. This is not in writing anywhere but makes sense. However, you do kind of open yourself up if you replace the hard drive and 3 months later the motherboard goes out. The technicians who work on the motherboard will be able to tell it has been opened and if anything at all is out of place they might just say the motherboard problem is something you created while replacing the hard drive. So upgrades do come with some risk. Generally, HP Service Centers will not install 3rd party parts. Some exceptions have been reported so I guess it is just how friendly they feel that day. And non-warranty service at an HP Service Center is going to cost quite a bit. On this model the hard drive access is fairly easy, and does not rquire removal of the top cover or motherboard, just removal of the bottom cover from the underside. If it were my laptop I would not hesitate to do the upgrade, but I would not install an SSHD. Speed increase is not that overwhelming as it is with a full-on SSD.