How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the eMac models?

The Apple Support Site provides instructions for installing RAM as well as replacing the AirPort card and battery in the original and ATI as well as the USB 2.0 and 2005 eMac systems.

However, Apple does not consider the Ultra ATA/66 hard drive in the original and ATI models or the Ultra ATA/100 hard drive in the USB 2.0 and 2005 eMac models to be a "customer-installable part" and declines to provide replacement instructions. Consequently, EveryMac.com does not recommend that users attempt to upgrade the hard drive themselves.

The eMac isn't the easiest system to upgrade the hard drive, and as such, users with limited experience upgrading computers would be wise to instead purchase an external USB or Firewire hard drive for a quick and easy upgrade. Even those with experience upgrading systems might prefer to purchase an external drive rather than go to the trouble of disassembling the computer and the risk of dealing with an exposed CRT-display.

Photo Credit: Lance J. Technoweb (Left - Back Removed, Right - Board/Drive)

Nevertheless, for the adventurous, where Apple dares not tread the blogosphere boldly goes, and the Lance J. Technoweb blog provides detailed instructions and commentary regarding an individual's experience upgrading the hard drive in the original eMac.

Site sponsor Other World Computing sells internal hard drives for the eMac models as well as quick-and-easy external USB and Firewire hard drives that will work with the eMac as well as other Macs.

Does the eMac have PCI slots or expansion bays?

No. The eMac is designed to be simple and inexpensive, and consequently, there is no internal expansion other than AirPort for the original and ATI models or AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth for the USB 2.0 and 2005 models.