Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Totally agree, it's a stain...

And at my job I see them "Windoze" laptops die even more frequently, but then they are dirt cheap.

Them windows users typically don't upgrade them systems either, they just buy a new one.

Now, I went from Lion to Mountain Lion, to Mavericks to well not completely Yosemite. Lion to Mount Lion I did an  full blown upgrade.

For Maverick and Yosemite, I did an separate install (so I can switch between them three, so awesome)...

it's so easy on Mac OS, no need for complete reinstalls of applications etc. Changing the partition size is a breeze.

Even easier than it is with Linux I have to say. So yes, it is a good product. That's why we are so passionate.

Oh well, I used my MBP 2011 pretty intense and perhaps I shouldn't whine as much as I tend to do.

(running multiple copies of virtual box with Linux and occasionally that dreaded M$ OS parallel)

Still Apple, I should think you should fix this.

Just got back from a "Genius Bar" appointment and was given no choice but to spend $310 for the repair depot overhaul of my MacBook Pro. The tech gave me all kinds of grief because I had changed the RAM to a non-factory spec'ed amount and replaced the stock hard drive. After taking me late and spending 30 minutes diagnosing the issue he came to the same conclusion that I did. When I mentioned Apple's lack of commitment in standing by their products, his response was 'good luck" with a PC. 

I also found it pretty creepy that they had it in a file somewhere that I had emailed Tim Cook along with a copy of the email, detailed notes on my phone call with an executive team representative, and  maybe even the transcription of the phone call.

How very thorough.

Hans Kramer wrote:

 

Well I am no lawyer and often the interpretation of law contradicts with my ethical compass.

And likely you are even right, and it is even not legal at all. Only a judge can validate that.

Still, I am with the fact that Microfix won't do it. And well, yeah I only had a telephone conversation... and

perhaps the fellow from Microfix didn't tell me the truth... unlikely I think. He could make me sign a waiver... well whatever.

I suggest you take Microfix' word with a grain of salt. They took my EUR 700 and 7 weeks of my time to replace my logic board, and when I found indications that they had not replaced it, but had given it a quick reflow instead, they did not even care to provide me with evidence they did a replacement. They took my money and do not care a ****, as is all too common for Apple and related business nowadays. So, if you suspect the fellow from Microfix didn't tell you the truth, I'm not really surprised...

Hans Kramer wrote:

 

And at my job I see them "Windoze" laptops die even more frequently, but then they are dirt cheap.

Windows laptops are not doing so badly, if you take into account what they cost per year. A high-end MBP will cost you close to EUR 1000 per year, and for that kind of money you can buy a solid Windows laptop each year...

If you can deal with that hideous OS on it. I got one word for your: "registry." What a nightmare.

Sure you can run Linux or FreeBSD on it. (done so since the mid 90s ..)

I am very sorry to hear that. I only had an one time experience with them. Thanks for the advice, surely I won't go back there now!

Perhaps this is the reason they are not allowed to reflow Mac's anymore (perhaps we have to thank Apple ;-)

It's a weird world!

Csound1 wrote:

I recently bought a 2011 15" because it was cheap, it works fine but maybe I will get to experience this issue firsthand (my son owns 2, both working just fine also). So the problem is confined to some set of circumstances as yet unidentified, possibly a ?

Hi Csound1, if you Google "/gputest/download/" you'll find a link on geeks3d to a tool that allows you to stress out your GPU nicely.

A good soldered GPU should handle an endurance test trouble-free. While a hidden problem should come to light eventually. No better way to find out then to put the GPU to some hard work perhaps..?

No, I'll just run it normally and see how it works out.

Early 2011 i7 2.2.

Took it into the Apple Store. I love how they always act as if it's the first time they've seen this problem and then tell me they have this logic board for my 3+ year old machine in stock and could replace it for $650...if it's such a rare issue why do you have them in stock! Unfortunately it's the same board with the same GPU, so what use is that?

I told him how widespread this issue was and he looked up the issue on his iPad.

I was then told that there is a court case in progress and if Apple lost the case then it would reimburse me the $650 repair fee and give me a 90 day warranty.

No thanks, I'm not going to risk $650 in the hope that Apple loses the case. Some people on this thread have had 2 or more boards replaced due to the same issue.

For many of us the only choice that apple service centers or apple store is giving is to replace the logic board for a fee. If someone persists, and insists on talking to a manager and telling them that there are laws or that this is now a known issue then they would do it for free. Its the paying of extra money for something that apple should do it for free is whats hurting everyone here. For some of us the breakdown of the computer has come at a critical moment, maybe during studies or work. Does apple even consider the costs of the time lost in an inherently flawed manufacturing or design process? Most of the people writing here have an apple store to go to, some of us just have authorized service persons, which makes it even hard to approach apple....

Sadly joining the GPU-failed-2011-Macbook-Pro club.

My MBP started to reboot itself since 4 month back. I was thinking it was because of the third party memory and SSD I installed. It turned out no as this only happened when I was using the discrete graphic card.

A few days ago it finally failed to boot itself on a discrete graphic card (blue screen etc.) and I had to use the (burning machine) + (remove AMD extension) approach to boot my MBP to a working status.

Really out of budget for a new purchase, so will just settle with the above approach and wait for Apple's response to the situation.

Just had a very long phone call with apple care. They specifically asked me about this community discussion and I let them know that this is a huge issue affecting several thousand people. The executive told me to approach the nearest service center and show them this discussion after which they would be able to let me know if my macbook pro can be repaired or replaced under a quality program of apple.

This tells us that they do have a quality program, and that this is now a known issue to apple.

Today i visited apples store with my early 2011 Macbook pro 15" after few test the tech guy told me need to replace logic board due to graphics failure, so far the guy told me it will cost me $310 and more not sure how much more..... usually i am pc guy never had any problem with it either  built one or bought one the only reason i bought mac because lately i started mixing and editing video and Audio all my friend told me to get mac i really enjoyed it and loved it till i hit with this,...... common apple u can do better then this help your customer who help you grow big....Mr.Steve Jobs Don't take anything with him R.I.P please don't be so arrogance and ignorance. thank you

CineBug wrote:

This tells us that they do have a quality program, and that this is now a known issue to apple.

Wait for the final result before stating that.

Curious for the outcome...