If you don’t have an account with a cloud backup service, now might be a good time to get on board:hard drive warranties just got a whole lot shorter, with both Seagate and Western Digital announcing deep cuts.
Seagate’s are the most shocking, dropping from as many as five years to one year. The changes only affect consumer product lines — enterprise-class drives like the Cheetah will continue to carry longer warranties. Seagate downplays the significance of the move, saying it brings their hard drives in line with other consumer-grade electronics parts and gadgets. Cash the company saves from doing this will be used to boost product development and innovation.
Western Digital is being a little more generous, lopping off a single year and reducing the total coverage to two years on its Caviar Blue, Green, and Scorpio drives. Higher-end kit like the Caviar and Scorpio Black and VelociRaptor will still carry five-year warranties. Unlike Seagate, WD didn’t offer an explanation for the change — a spokesperson said only that the company is always looking how to best meld features and service to meet customers’ needs.
Both companies’ policy changes affect only drives that have yet to be manufactured. Seagate drives built after December 31 and Western Digital drives built after January 2 will carry the reduced warranties. You’ve got a few more days to pick up a lower-cost drive with extended coverage, though that’s relative right now anyways. Hard drive prices are still way, way up as a result of the flooding in Thailand. Once they come back down, you might be able to pick up one of those high-end drives anyway.
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