Okay, here's your
disclaimer: Don't do this! It is probably
fraud and you could get in a lot of
trouble. (Which means if you can
get away with it, it is a lot of
fun.) ;)
Swaptronics (a term coined by a friend of mine, a combination of
swap and
electronics) is basically taking advantage of the fact that most older
model computer parts look very similar to current-model
computer parts. It also involves taking advantage of electronics
megastores that hire
incompetent computer illiterates to work the
return desk.
The way to swaptronize (the actual process of swaptroning, get it?) something, say a hard drive, is to go to your
store of choice (make sure they have a good
return policy, some stores only refund
store credit) and see what the latest
models look like. Chances are, that new
80GB Maxtor drive looks just like the old
10GB one you have at home. After you've found your similar looking drive, buy it! Once you get it home, make sure it works, then clean the dust off your old drive, carefully switch any obvious
labels (anti-tamper labels can be removed without damage if you're careful and slow), such as
specs and
serial numbers. After you're satisfied everything looks
kosher, pack 'er back up, go back to the
store and get your
refund. This process also works as a way to replace things that are out-of-
warranty and are still sold - like that
I-Opener your
cat knocked over. "I swear, the screen CAME with this huge
crack in it!"