If you happen to own a white or black MacBook bought between 2006 and 2007, with either a 1.83GHz,  2.16GHz or 3Ghz processor and 60GB, 80GB, 100GB, 120GB or 160GB, you may be in luck. Or out of luck—as you have to prove the hard drive actually has failed.

The offer is open until August the 15th of this year, or three years after the MacBook was purchased, whichever comes first I’d assume.

Image credit: TheYoungThousands

Here are two reports from a few Mac Genius’, they seem to be conflicting a little bit.. take it for what it’s worth though.

“the hdd replacement applies to macbook models “Macbook 13-inch” (i.e. the original 06 model) and “Macbook mid-2007.” there is a model in between that is not covered. Also, unlike Apple REPs (repair extension programs), these repairs appear on what apple calls its CS-Matrix (a breakout list of procedure deemed eligible for customer service, or “CS” codes). the CS-matrix is not governed by the 3-year REP expiration and is considered “cover until further notice.”

if you really want to freak out a genius bar employee, just sidle up and mention you have a CS-matrix-eligible macbook hard drive replacement. or don’t because we’ll hate you for being douchey ”

and

“Your Genius informant was wrong. The Apple internal docs mention the MacBook Late 2006 is covered. Apple doesn’t list model numbers because consumers don’t really need to know them. On all the Apple Internal documentation it lists the qualified models as MacBook (13-inch), MacBook (13-inch, Late 2006), MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2007).

As well as this is an actual REP (like the iMac G5 Power Supply and MLB back in the day) so no CS-code is need and any Genius is able to cover this but only if it falls into the date listed on the REP info page.

Additionally, if a customer paid for a HDD replacement on one of the listed models they may qualify to be reimbursed the repair costs. They will need to contact AppleCare for that part (we can’t do it in-store).”

It’s a pretty risky deal, I personally hope that they still allow Google to be chosen as a serach engine on the iPhone, but I don’t thinkg the rivalry will go quite that far, at least I certainitly hope not.

Microsoft and apple are also rivals, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t work together or make products for one anther’s operating systems. At least Microsoft does, with it’s Office application like Word and PowerPoint. I don’t see many Apple applications ported over to PC.. but I guess with Apple’s low market share it seems to be justified.

“Apple and Google know the other is their primary enemy,” says one of the people, who’s familiar with Apple’s thinking. “Microsoft is now a pawn in that battle.”

If these battles are successful, it could also mean that Bing could eventually replace Google as the default search engine for Apple’s desktop version of Safari as well.

With Google’s entry into the mobile phone business as well as Apple’s recent acquisition of a mobile ad company, the two businesses have encroached on each other’s territories. Apple has even been said to be working on distancing itself from Google’s Maps data in the iPhone, which will be amazingly difficult for the iPhone to replace. Because of recent reports of Apple having billions of dollars to toy with, I really don’t see that part to be much of a problem, I am sure they can qcuire a company that can make a competing map application without much of a problem.

The future will definitely be different, especially in a week with the hundreds of reports of the new Apple product being an “iPad” or an “Apple Tablet” or whatever they may call it. We’ll have to see, and I can’t wait open my eyes!