Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card
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Dec 15, 2014 2:42 PMby Network 23,johngz wrote:
As a reminder.
One of my 2 2011 MPB's with GPU failure did get a free replacement (still working and under the unigine valley benchmark GPU test for the last 48 hours) from Apple Canada, where a genius told me that anyone who had paid out of pocket for a GPU/motherboard replacement will have further replacements paid for by Apple. This is still an unconfirmed policy.
It might be a "confirmed" policy only in that it is nothing special, it is under the terms of the normal warranty applied to normal repairs. Any time you pay for a repair it is warranted for 90 days. Nothing different for people who paid for this GPU fix. If it fails again within 90 days Apple can't charge you to fix it, and the fix resets the warranty clock for 90 more days. (If you're saying that a genius said Apple would not charge for further replacements even after the normal 90 day warranty, that would be an unconfirmed policy.)
I just got mine back after the second replacement. Fortunately it failed inside the 90 day warranty, but it is still a major inconvenience every time I have to go without my main Mac for the better part of a week just because Apple hasn't figured out how to fix the GPU failures. And it's making me want to avoid a discrete GPU in my next MacBook Pro, especially since integrated graphics have gotten so good.
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Dec 15, 2014 3:16 PMby Mark Webster Media,Hello, Cupertino? About to head to the Apple Store for the third time with the exact problem described here & elsewhere. VERY frustrating, especially now that I've found that so many others are burdened with the same apparent manufacturing defect. My 17" MBP is the lifeblood of my photography & video business. We expect better response, Apple. We deserve better response. Now.
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Dec 15, 2014 4:49 PMby johngz,Network 23 wrote:
johngz wrote:
As a reminder.
One of my 2 2011 MPB's with GPU failure did get a free replacement (still working and under the unigine valley benchmark GPU test for the last 48 hours) from Apple Canada, where a genius told me that anyone who had paid out of pocket for a GPU/motherboard replacement will have further replacements paid for by Apple. This is still an unconfirmed policy.
It might be a "confirmed" policy only in that it is nothing special, it is under the terms of the normal warranty applied to normal repairs. Any time you pay for a repair it is warranted for 90 days. Nothing different for people who paid for this GPU fix. If it fails again within 90 days Apple can't charge you to fix it, and the fix resets the warranty clock for 90 more days. (If you're saying that a genius said Apple would not charge for further replacements even after the normal 90 day warranty, that would be an unconfirmed policy.)
I just got mine back after the second replacement. Fortunately it failed inside the 90 day warranty, but it is still a major inconvenience every time I have to go without my main Mac for the better part of a week just because Apple hasn't figured out how to fix the GPU failures. And it's making me want to avoid a discrete GPU in my next MacBook Pro, especially since integrated graphics have gotten so good.
This was for a 2011 MBP that had its first GPU failure about 1 year ago. Apple repaired this for free again about a month ago, or 11 months later, well outside the 90 day warranty. The genius told me that anyone who paid for a motherboard replacement due to GPU failure out of their own pocket would qualify for free replacements in the future for similar failures. That is what is unconfirmed.
It was odd, I had called Apple Canada a couple of times and they refused to fix the laptop at their cost. I then realized I needed a dependable machine and bought a new one with apple care, it was after this that I called them and they offered to fix it at their cost. I wouldn't expect that to be related, but thought I'd mention just in case.
In any event, anyone who paid for a first GPU/Motherboard replacement and finds themselves needing a second one should question Apple about this.
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Dec 15, 2014 4:52 PMby kayazuki,Gerard Klein wrote:
Sadly, I have to ad myself to the ever growing numbers of 2011 MPB users with a graphics problem. Mine is suffering too. :-(
Going to make an extra backup now...
Hi Gerard,
It's always wise to make backups, but just know that this problem won't affect the data on your drive. At all times you can just put your drive in a different Mac (or connect it via one of those SATA>USB adapters) and boot from your drive on any Mac. A badly soldered GPU chip doesn't mean data loss on your drive.
Just FYI
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Dec 15, 2014 5:07 PMby kayazuki,johngz wrote:
... where a genius told me that anyone who had paid out of pocket for a GPU/motherboard replacement will have further replacements paid for by Apple. This is still an unconfirmed policy.
Hopelessly sad that Apple makes all of us pay for a single logic board replacement in the first place, while they made the error during production!!
If they would read any the posts in this topic, they would know by now that ANY replacement board hold the same physical production error that will lead to the same (or similar) failures.
For anyone that would like to read in detail what's really wrong with these Macs, read my (long) post on page 701:
Does anyone know how to reach some international press....? I'd like to write them, just can't seem to find anyone.
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Dec 15, 2014 5:14 PMby kayazuki,Gerard Klein wrote:
I'm still pondering of what to do. Spending close to 800 euro's on a macbook that is worth 1000 or so when in working order does not feel like a win...
Hoi Gerard,
Do yourself a huge favor, and DON'T pay for a board replacement. Read my post on page 701 first and pay a visit to D3us (Marc in Schelle, just south-west of Antwerp.
For a very fair fee of €125 he'll reflow your GPU and you'll go home with a very big smile on your face..
He repaired my 2011 MacBook Pro 15" in about 1h time in a way that I know is permanently. He effectively finished Apples job good.
Don't waste your money and time to Apple. They don't deserve that in this case for sure.
You may mail me if you have further questions, but I have seen this man do this work in detail and I guarantee you; he's a highly skilled professional who knows extremely well what he's doing. Just to make this clear: 1,5 weeks ago I never heard of the man, I'm just sharing my experience here.
De garoeten!
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Dec 15, 2014 5:49 PMby Network 23,kayazuki wrote:
Gerard Klein wrote:
Sadly, I have to ad myself to the ever growing numbers of 2011 MPB users with a graphics problem. Mine is suffering too. :-(
Going to make an extra backup now...
Hi Gerard,
It's always wise to make backups, but just know that this problem won't affect the data on your drive. At all times you can just put your drive in a different Mac (or connect it via one of those SATA>USB adapters) and boot from your drive on any Mac. A badly soldered GPU chip doesn't mean data loss on your drive.
Just FYI
Very true. When I send in my MacBook Pro for service (like another GPU motherboard replacement) I swap out the hard drive with an old one, so that while the MacBook Pro is out for service, I am still working with all my data by putting the MBP drive in a drive dock connected to my desktop Mac.
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Dec 15, 2014 7:52 PMby TJMooseman,Logic board replacements vs re-flowing (re-balling)
Some posts advocate (I do add, with good reason) to 'fix' your computer you should send it to a 'qualified' technician to have the component "re-balled". I agree in principal that you will likely experience a much higher success rate in doing that then taking the computer back to apple for them to replace the logic board. I had mine changed out twice in a matter of two weeks and had my second repair failed as well in less then 24 hours. However, by going with a third party, Apple will not be aware of any issues you are experiencing and it lessens the impact on them.
I got very lucky, after three failures the apple store replaced my computer. But, I was prepared to make many more visits. I was going to have a anti apple t-shirt printed to wear when I went back the next time. The point is, when if fails, even just once, take a photo with a date on it and take it back in. Don't wait for it to get really bad. So, just one lock up with a blue or scrambled screen I would grab a pic and off I went. I paid for my first out of warranty repair which then includes 90 day warranty on the entire computer. Get it back from repair, exercise your computer and when it fails (which is will) grab a pic. take it back in and show them and they will have to replace it again. I run a small business, but I made time to set appointments with the apple store and get in line. Share your pain with the apple store employee. After two repairs, ask for a manager. If you happen to be self employed (as I am) let them know the computer is effecting your livelihood. This is not acceptable when we paid a premium for a computer that is sold to us as superior and reliable.
The more we make apple feel our pain, the more computers we send it for repair, the more they see our faces in the store, the more likely they will ultimately fix it the proper way. Having your logic board reworked is one way to get it fixed, but it doesn't fix the real issue. Getting apple to address it is the ultimate goal and that will only happen if we all go to apple and share our pain with them.
Best of luck.
TJ
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Dec 15, 2014 8:22 PMby pragmatic,Update for my Macbook Pro woes:
I had 3 year apple care but sad demise happened after 2 months its expiry. After apple care support couldn't help me cover the cost of repairs, I couldn't bear to keep my MBP laying like a brick at home, so gave in to the Depot Repair $310+tax. Waiting for them to repair.
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Dec 16, 2014 1:53 AMby akamyself,TJMooseman,
allow me to disagree with part of your theory and explain myself.
you're right about registering the problem with Apple, that is the first thing to do when experiencing this failure and that is what we all advise people to do here, contact Apple Care, visit an Apple Store if you have one nearby, get a case number whatever you choose to do next. Also send feedback through the website.
now, letting Apple switching the logic board is not mandatory to have them registered your problem, getting a case number detailing the problem and advising a logic board replacement is enough.
except aiming to try and get a full computer replacement at some point, usually after 4th logic board replacement, there is no point paying Apple for the 'repair'.
while getting a reball is most likely excluding the computer to be eligible if any recall was to happen, that is the best option to have our 2011 mbp working again.
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Dec 16, 2014 1:56 AMby akamyself,devarshi108 wrote:
Can I assume that the Depot Repair has the same 90-day warranty? My recent paid-for logic board was put in that way, and it started to fail after one month. I'm limping along until I can get back to the U.S. and bring it in.
yes it does, Depot Repair just sends your computer away and is not repaired in-store, warranty is the same.
