Yes, I believe you can edit partitions on a live OS X volume using Disk Utility - though I've never done it myself.
I think it'll be possible to split the main partition on the new Mac into 2 separate partitions. But, like I say, not something I've had cause to do.

Google found this:
http://macs.about.com/od/applications/s ... tysize.htm
(this relates to Mac OS 10.5 Leopard - though I imagine the same applies to newer versions of OS X too)

I think, if it were me, I'd want to leave my new Mac well alone, and use a separate drive if there's one you can beg, borrow or steal (OK, don't steal one!). But, if you're stuck, then try spliting the main partition into two - assuming there's enough capacity to do this.

Yep - new MBP is 750gb, so no issue there, but will try and get hold of a spare drive from somewhere. Argos have a 320 for £35 so may just grab that. Always useful anyway!

Thank you for the link - will check that out in more detail should I need to go down that route!

It looks as if you CAN move TM back-ups reasonably easily, so that might save me buying a new drive (if it's not going to take too long to copy) - so if I move them temporarily from one drive and then back again that should be okay?

With the cloned drive and the TM back-ups I should be able to restore okay once the old MBP is back from repair? It's more important for me to get the most recent copy anyway, as the last TM back up was probably a while ago (bad me...).

Good luck! Hope it all goes well. Just out of interest, is it The Mac Fixer you're using for the repair? I've heard he does solder reflows on logic boards.

Yup - it is indeed. Thank you for the tip on that one!

I think I'll just go get a drive from Argos. Unfortunately the better value ones are out of stock, but I need to get it to him before the end of this week as he's going on his hols so just need to grab what I can!

Well, successfully removed drive and cloned with Super Duper in the end... MacFixer now has MBP, so fingers crossed the solder reflow works!

Yes, fingers crossed. I guess he told you there's no guarantees with something like that - it'll either work or it won't? He normally offers a no-fix, no-fee approach for stuff like that.

Super Duper is an amazing program.

Yep, he did say it doesn't always work, but there was no charge if that was the case. Hoping it will though. Would be such a shame to have to sell for next to nothing for parts.

Thanks again for all you help and replies. The reassurance etc is much appreciated!

It cost us £200, but the solder reflow method seems to have fixed our wonky 15in MBP.

Talking to the boss at Analogic when I collected the machine earlier this week, he said he was seriously considering acquiring the gear and training to do such repairs in-house.

Yeay! The MacFixer has fixed the Mac!

Great! Well, he did say to me that he was hopeful that it would be fixable, but you can never say for sure with these things. If you don't mind me asking, how much will the final bill be?

With shipping costs, £115, so slightly less painful than a £500+ logic board replacement...

That's a pretty good price, especially considering it has to be dismantled and put back together again which must be at least an hour's work!

Mac fires up just fine... all seems good to me! Very happy!