Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I am pleased to report that based on this new policy decision by Apple, I called them today and they are promising to refund (via direct deposit within the next 4 weeks) the repair cost I suffered to have them repair my laptop, although I cannot get reimbursed for the lost time and travel expenses and the major headache this caused. And it remains to be seen whether the fix they did will hold up.

Earlier I wrote:

"After driving nearly 2 hours (one way, in heavy holiday traffic) to the nearest Apple Store, I got to my appointment on time. Haley, the expert who diagnosed my system, tested the unit and soon agreed with my assessment. She tried in vain to find a "quality" based decision by Apple to cover the repair cost. Whereas my 2011 MBP (15") is a couple of months past its 3-years of AppleCare, I was offered that I could pay for a logic board replacement using the "flat rate" method. For $310 (US) including shipping both ways, they will fix whatever needs fixed. As I also needed the keyboard's backlight fixed and a couple of rubber feet replaced on the bottom, I opted to do this. I will have to manage without the unit for a few days. (Not easy as I use it extensively for all manner of work-related tasks.) When it comes back, the new logic board will have a 90-day warranty. During that time I will decide whether to keep the unit or sell it. My first ever visit to a Genius Bar was not a success, as Apple did not admit to an obvious manufacturing defect and compelled me to pay for the needed repair. However, I was thankful that at least the price of the repairs was not more costly. Will update on this when I get the unit back."

Anybody know if you can bring it into a US store even though you bought it in Europe?

Also I replaced the superDrive with and SSD, anybody has experience if that will be a problem? As this is a recall and not a Warranty issue it hopefully is not?!

cheers

This problem goes back to at least the previous generation of MacBooks.

I have an 08 machine in which the display recently died.

But Apple won't fix or replace it.

gwsandler wrote:

 

This problem goes back to at least the previous generation of MacBooks.

I have an 08 machine in which the display recently died.

But Apple won't fix or replace it.

I think there was an extension of the guarantee period for these models, that recently expired.

The question is after that, what is the life expectancy of these machines ?

Can 6 or 7 years be considered reasonable or not ?

I know of a MacPlus that's still running after 27 years ! Should that represent the life expectancy ? Probably not, but who is to judge ?

gwsandler wrote:

 

This problem goes back to at least the previous generation of MacBooks.

I have an 08 machine in which the display recently died.

But Apple won't fix or replace it.

I too have an 08 with a dead display, died in 2011.  Sometimes education is expensive.

"Take the coins from your pocket to fill your mind and your mind will fill your pockets with coins" ~ Ben Franklin

Either my mind or my pockets have a leak and I am running out of coins.

I have an SSD installed in the optical drive slot which was removed and I was wondering if I have to put it back in. Because last week when I went to ask information at the genius bar regarding my video problem prior to the replacement program, the guy said if the machine has been modified I had to go to an Apple Authorized reseller to get my repair done out of warranty.

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

 

I know of a MacPlus that's still running after 27 years ! Should that represent the life expectancy ? Probably not, but who is to judge ?

Look like these?

They are all operational and were part of the work force at a local newspaper until 2007

jimoase wrote:

 

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

 

I know of a MacPlus that's still running after 27 years ! Should that represent the life expectancy ? Probably not, but who is to judge ?

Look like these?

They are all operational and were part of the work force at a local newspaper until 2007

Yup ! … Well like the one on the right anyway! On the left is a classic, and I think the middle two are SEs

The one in the bag could be a MacPlus too, judging by the keyboard. The other keyboards and mice are later models.

Ahhh… the MacPlus… the computer that brought me to Apple when I was learning programming on a PC under MS-Dos!

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

 

jimoase wrote:

 

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

 

I know of a MacPlus that's still running after 27 years ! Should that represent the life expectancy ? Probably not, but who is to judge ?

Look like these?

They are all operational and were part of the work force at a local newspaper until 2007

Yup ! … Well like the one on the right anyway! On the left is a classic, and I think the middle two are SEs

The one in the bag could be a MacPlus too, judging by the keyboard. The other keyboards and mice are later models.

Ahhh… the MacPlus… the computer that brought me to Apple when I was learning programming on a PC under MS-Dos!

Good eye.  From left to right:  Classic, 1meg Plus, 1meg Plus, 1meg Plus and the old fellow in the bag 512K

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

 

I know of a MacPlus that's still running after 27 years ! Should that represent the life expectancy ?

I say, why not?

Csound1 wrote:

 

Original Benchmarks for Macs (2008 to 2014) These don't separate the tests so can't really shed much light on one area, so..

 

Try this

 

http://macperformanceguide.com/Reviews-MacBookProFeb2011.html

pl send link to "graphics benchmark tests" and "pre 30%-performance-degradation-firmware-patch" (alleged) graphics benchmark data, if available. 

St.Sc wrote:

 

Also I replaced the superDrive with and SSD, anybody has experience if that will be a problem?

 

Not an issue, as Apple considers RAM and Disk in 2011 models as user serviceable. My MBP serviced, has 16gb and 1Tb SHHD. 

Glad to hear this is finally getting a repair program.

Any word on if they have revised the boards to prevent further occurrences? Not sure of the benefit of getting a new, still defective board installed.

michaelfromlompoc wrote:

 

Any word on if they have revised the boards to prevent further occurrences? Not sure of the benefit of getting a new, still defective board installed.

No one knows for sure until we get our repaired MBP's back. It's kind of a 'wait and see' kinda thing.

And you're totally right.. there is no benefit of getting a defective board installed, which is why I think Apple wouldn't go ahead and launch a repair program that basically they will be paying for, only for history to repeat itself. What I do know is that I will stress test my computer once I get it back.

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

 

gwsandler wrote:

 

This problem goes back to at least the previous generation of MacBooks.

I have an 08 machine in which the display recently died.

But Apple won't fix or replace it.

I think there was an extension of the guarantee period for these models, that recently expired.

The question is after that, what is the life expectancy of these machines ?

Can 6 or 7 years be considered reasonable or not ?

I know of a MacPlus that's still running after 27 years ! Should that represent the life expectancy ? Probably not, but who is to judge ?

Apple seems to believe 3 years is the max, if you want service for those 3 years you need to buy Applecare.

I suggest people calculate the cost per year of a machine.

That is, Apple hardware is too expensive to be economically interesting.