Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

the warranty in Italy for macbook is 2 years?

Thanks

yes, always 2 years, but i'm out of warranty...

I have 1 year and 8 months from date of purchase.

Is it possible?

Thanks

@horne9 I've got the same 17" and it is currently a brick thanks to this flaw. I can't know if every 2011 MBP with discrete graphics experiences this issue but I know I have seen several people mentioning they do graphics intensive work. I would say I also used the AMD card more than a normal consumer. These may be the machines that are showing signs earliest.

My guess is this is contributed to either the AMD card specifically or related to the hot swapping feature that Apple uses to switch between integrated and discrete graphics. So I wouldn't think the 13" model would experience this exact issue. That being said, nobody really knows what's going on (maybe not even Apple). Could you give any further details on your daughter's MBP and the symptoms it is having? It may help someone understand our issue better OR it may give you a clearer picture of if it is a HD failure.

I too have an Early 2011 MBP 17 with Intel Graphics...

Same issue, first the display shifted sides... sometimes a bright blue screen at lock up etc etc....

I replaced the thermal paste between the heat sink and CPU and GPU twice....  no change... although they run cooler now than before.

Once I opened a large file in Photoshop.. [POOF] off went the screen every time.... I downloaded and installed the gfxcardstatus and switched to 'indiscrete' mode and was then able to open my large CS6 files.... I am Canadian currently in Brazil and want to get this thing fixed somehow..... the prices for everything Mac (or PC) here are astronomical. A new Macbook Pro 15 Retina sells here for almost 6,000 Canadian...

Has anyone just changed the GPU? Is there any point in calling Apple to get some advice?

I had to sell my bike to pay for the repair.  My budget is tight because I am doing contract work and my laptop died.  Ugh, catch-22.

Just wanted to let you guys I spoke to an Apple exec today. They are checking with the egineers, but I told them there are two large threads on this and multiple people reported failed repairs, I also mentioned the news articles - but unfortunatly I was told I could look up any problem and I would find forums. They are supposed to get back with me.

I hope enough people wrote and called because only a mass report is going to make this big. Also, I was told they fix things so they don't have to come back...not what people are reporting, but what can I do...

If you haven't already, write Apple feedback! It takes just a few minutes! In fact if everyone who wrote on this thread wrote today - that would be a lot of feedback in one cluster!

And denied. Not big enough. Everyone PLEASE CONTACT APPLE!!!

What's the best way to send feedback to them?

Did you talk to an exec or a rep from executive relations? I think they give same song and dance "sorry you are out of warranty" Basically I was told to send the screen shots and vid with my case number  on a postit. Then "GPU/Logic board fail. You are out of warranty" I was reassured that they won't own up to the design flaw...

I have voiced my frustration with every division that I could reach from tech support to the executive line. I was given the same story you were. At this time there aren't enough documented cases to warrant a repair extension program. I wish there was a magic formula that we all could follow to get this escalated.

As far as the methods of contacting, I have been told by Apple that the only data that isn't collected are emails sent to Tim Cook. It might make you feel better and for me it did eventually get a phone call but that data just isn't considered useful for repair extension data. The rep I spoke with also mentioned that any time your serial number is taken it will be recorded as an issue that may go into the mix with everyone else that also calls in or has repairs for the same problem.

Let's face it guys they aren't going to make it easy for us. A repair extension is going to cost Apple money. Their job is to figure out ways around spending money. We need to investigate this precedent http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5167?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US . This program is almost exactly the same as ours. How did this receive attention? How long did it take from the first issue being reported? If anyone has any insight please let us all know.

I would recommend that you copy and paste some of the general guts of the email to Apple Feedback to cover ALL basis. http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Keep in mind there are 2 LARGE forums on Apple Disscussion that I know of, this one and this one: https://discussions.apple.com/message/24670534?ac_cid=tw123456#24670534?ac_cid=t w123456

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The reason I suggested emailing  Apple Feedback is because if enough do it all about the same time - this will make noise to say hmm, we should check this out. Just my thought.

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In my previous post I mentioned that the Tim Cook email data isn't collected. This is just what I was told. One way or another I would like to see us all have some resolution on this matter. Just please go the extra mile and call into Apple Care with your SN ready. Ask for a Senior Advisor. Ask for Customer Relations. Do whatever it takes to make sure that each branch knows we are still here and are not content.

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found your site with all useful links, thanks. I signed.