I have seen several advertisements for 'clock chipping' devices, sometimes referred to as "Clipper Chips", "Clock Boosters", or "Oscillator Chips" that will increase the speed of my Power Macintosh. Does Apple support the use of these products in its systems? Will they affect my Apple warranty?

Apple has tested its products under the conditions and environments that they were designed and intended to be used. Installing a clock accelerator device that increases the clock speed of the Power Macintosh may introduce conditions that the Power Macintosh was not designed and/or tested to handle. The results may be unpredictable or produce unreliable operation and may also cause damage to the computer.

Clock chipping devices make assumptions about the software and hardware of the systems that they are installed into. Due to slightly varying tolerances of individual components used inside the Power Macintosh, some of these assumptions prevent such a device from working properly.

In addition, installing an add-on device may present additional stresses on the Power Macintosh that may cause premature failure of certain components. There are also risks involved in the installation of a clock chipping device. As outlined in the Apple Limited Warranty included with Apple products, Apple's warranty "does not apply to damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, misapplication, or service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not an Apple Authorized Service Provider; if the product has been modified without the written permission of Apple..." Any damage caused by the installation of such a device will not be covered under the Apple limited warranty.

For more information on hardware changes and warranty implications, please see Tech Info Library article 25097: " Unauthorized Changes To Hardware Voids Warranty "