Apple really should make the HDD in the iMac more accessible. Just put it behind a panel, similar to the RAM. Replacement becomes “Open slot, replace drive, close slot”.
As it stands, if the internal disk in an iMac goes (and it will…), and you’re under Applecare, there’s a good chance you’ll be without the machine for at least a week.
I’ve read the disassembly guides, and I’ve done complex teardowns before. This one honestly isn’t too bad. I have a compatible (identical, actually) drive I’m currently booting in an external enclosure. I have the tools necessary to get it open. , The entire process would probably take me a half hour. A little longer if I’m *really* being careful.
However, Apple Support can’t give me a straight answer as to whether doing so (as it involves opening the machine) would void the remaining two years of Applecare on the entire machine. The new drive I could understand not being covered – that’s perfectly reasonable – but to lose coverage on the LCD, PSU, or motherboard?
The only “safe” option to preserve the warranty is to hand the machine off to Apple for however long they feel necessary to perform the drive replacement. Logic board replacement was a week. If they want that long for a HDD, it would seem fairly excessive to me.
This entire scenario would be unnecessary had Apple recognized that replacing the HDD is something that’s bound to be required, and somehting the end-user should be able to do easily. Just put it under an access panel, and be done with it.