It appears as though A PEAK NUMBER of these defective models are breaking around September 2013. It's beginning to look fairly undeniable that there's a problem. So long as this doesn't kill the company, my guess is that Apple will be forced to acknowledge their disappointed customers and make things right. Below is a description of my Mac-Maladies...
MacBook Model: MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
Serial Number: C0*******RJN
Case Number: ****
Country or Region: USA
Details: After 2 years with zero problems, I observed a video anomaly after plugging in an external monitor for extended desktop. Shortly after it froze. I somehow got it to reboot, took it into the apple store. They said they didn’t know what the problem was, tested memory, said they could send it out for repair at $310 flat rate. I told them I want to be sure about what’s causing the problem before I agree to pay, so I took it home. Extensive troubleshooting combined with online research, finally led me to understand that the problem is with the AMD processor, and that it is degenerative (ie; it keeps getting worse over time). Currently I can run the machine just fine, as long as I don’t run an app or perform a function which causes the GPU to switch from Intel to AMD; as it is certain to freeze when the switch is made, or shortly thereafter. Sometimes the AMD GPU works for a limited period of time ––it seems that when a certain threshold of shared memory in reserve for graphics is met, bam! Corruption and freeze. Bummer because the AMD is the EFI boot device, so it wants to white screen at restart after a freeze occurs. I have to trick it by first restarting and clearing PRAM, then plugging in the MacBook Pro, then booting in to Recovery, which it does. Then while in Recovery screen, UNPLUG the power cord –which signals lower energy consumption and thus means a higher threshold before AMD will be switched-to, then reboot from Recovery mode while still unplugged. That clears the reserved memory back to default, apparently. Anyway, I can’t use most of the apps that I require for it to be useful. I would like Apple to acknowledge the defect and help us –their loyal customers– at the very least, get into a newer, dependable model at little or discounted cost. I am hesitant to pay for repair when they will not only be replacing my logic board with an identically defective part, but chances are the part will be a “factory reconditioned” part –meaning not brand new –meaning LESS than 2 years of use left. COME ON APPLE, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF US. WE ARE YOUR GREATEST ADVOCATES, NOT YOU’RE ADVERSARIES. MAKE A GESTURE, AND I ASSURE YOU IT WILL GO FAR. MAKE STEVE PROUD –REST HIS SOUL.
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