Some desktop and notebook barebones drives will have their warranties slashed from 5 years to 1 year.
Last week, Western Digital revealed that it was cutting the warranty on its Caviar Blue/Green and Scorpio Blue drives from three years to two years. Now, it looks like Seagate just couldn't stand by and let Western Digital have all fun when it comes to cutting hard drive warranties.
The Register is reporting that Seagate is upping the ante by slashing some warranties from five years down to one year. Here are some of the "highlights" of the warranty cuts:
- Constellation 2 and ES.2 drives: 5 years reduced to 3 years
- Barracuda and Barracuda Green drives: 5 years reduced to 1 year
- Barracuda XT: 5 years reduced to 3 years
- Momentus 2.5-inch (5400 and 7200rpm): 5 years reduced to 1 year
- Momentus XT: 5 years reduced to 3 years
The new warranty policy will go into effect on December 31, 2011. According to The Register, Seagate made this move "to be more consistent with those commonly applied throughout the consumer electronics and technology industries."
By aligning to current industry standards Seagate can continue to focus its investments on technology innovation and unique product features that drive value for our customers rather than holding long-term reserves for warranty returns."
If manufacturers and consumers ever had any doubts before about embracing solid state drive (SSD) technology, maybe now is the time to start making the shift to rid us all of spinning media.
