Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

the question is when Apple will make the official announcement on this issue.There is still no signs of any kind of announcement weeks after the problem starts to appear..

I think it's more "will they do anything about it", not when.

this problem didn't start weeks ago but more than a year ago for some people.

even if there is and will be more and more people affected, I really doubt they will recall 3 years old machines.

I very much doubt Apple will do anything, although they did issue some replacement batteries a few years ago... mind you exploding batteries are one thing, it's not like a dead MBP is going to do much damage. I wouldn't mind so much, but I like to think you pay a bit more to get something of decent quality that will provide a few years of service, is a 3 year service life reasonable??

I started experiencing the same issues as with the OP about three weeks ago on my early 2011 15' Macbook pro. A hard reboot had been enough to get the laptop working again, but last night and this morning, the problem exacerbated. The computer could only be revived after numerous reboots.

I called Apple's service center. They claimed they weren't aware of the issue. So I went online, found this forum, and maddened, called Apple again. How could they be so oblivious to an issue that thousands are having? To his credit, the new service technician I talked to, Brian, said that he was aware of the problem.

In brief, I have an appointment at the "genius" bar tomorrow. But as an Apple product user of 9 years, I am especially disappointed in the company. I did not hesitate to switch from my iPhone to Android when I was unhappy. So, Apple, expect me to vote with my feet again if you don't resolve this logic board issues.

Yours,

PS: voice your dissatisfaction by calling, sending feedback forms, etc. This isn't Jobs' apple. This one is rotten.

I wouldn't mind so much, but I like to think you pay a bit more to get something of decent quality that will provide a few years of service, is a 3 year service life reasonable??

It is not. 3 years for high-end electronics (as MBP are *supposed* to be) ought to be nothing. My Nintendo NES has been working for 30 years without any problem -- certainly not something as basic as cracked solering balls. That should be basic QA that MacBook Pro don't seem to go through.

I'd certainly expect MUCH MORE from Apple.

Apple, fix my Mac!! http://fixmymac.tumblr.com/

They replaced the gpu in my 2007 MacBook Pro in 2010, this was again down to a faulty GPU 

link;http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377

So, yep, they will recall/repair three year old macs.

The fact is, there is an issue with their premium laptop, and we need to get the word about, 217 pages on this forum, over 1100 signatures on the petition is a start.

This machine is still relatively new, there is a known (by the community at least) manufacturing fault. Don't settle for replacement faulty logic boards or third party re-balling.

This is down to apple to sort, increase the pressure.

Hi, I tried your method and removed my ATI driver (early 2011 mbp 15, with 6750. GPU problems come and go  starting from several weeks ago: vertical strips, grey screen, blue screen, black screen). But I got problems right after rebooting the computer: vertical strips, grey screen... I managed to reboot the computer and log in save mode. Then the vertical scripps appared again and the screen become un-readable (almost). Luckly, I was still able to copy ati drives back and the computer works fine now.

The repair shop that has my MBP called reballed my GPU and they say the laptop is working now. They offer to reball the CPU as well for an additional 100 US dollars (they work with many brands and usually do that on other machines). Anyone here reballed or needed to reball the CPU? I think I'll tell them not to reball the CPU, but I ask here for other experienced "reballers", what do you think? Thanks!

CPU is mostly not a problem. Unless you really stress it to the max most of the time.

But even then, GPU get's hotter mostly.

What prices they charge for what they've done allready?

I wouldn't take the risk to replace something that works good, I haven't heard of anyone experiencing glitches with CPU.

I wrote an email about my ordeal and was called back by a Relations person.  While she  promised to call me back in one day, I pretty much knew the answer.  There's no program for this in the US ergo we aren't going to refund your repair costs. 

My external monitor connection isn't working and I fear that my hdmi adaptor was fried, but I need to take it in again.  I just hope this one will hold upbeyond the repair warranty.

At this point, I think my next laptop will be a PC running Ubuntu.  This is the worse customer service I've ever seen Apple "perform".

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I think apple have a moral obligation to respond to this issue.

J'ajoute mon témoignage (que je préfère écrire en français, car je rique de manquer de clarté en anglais).

J'ai mon Macbook Pro early 2011 depuis 2 ans et demi. (Donc plus de garanti).

Les symptômes sont bien sûr semblables : artefacts, écrans noirs, écrans gris au démarrage, lignes roses sur la pomme au démarrage, split, lignes verticales, écran qui gèle etc.

ça arrivait particulièrement au lancement de logiciel comme Photoshop ou Illustrator par exemple. Ou encore, suite à une mise en veille. Je dis "arrivait", car aujourd'hui impossible de passer l'écran gris au démarrage, l'ordinateur est innutilisable.

Il ne m'a pas fallu longtemps pour m'apercevoir que je suis loin d'être un cas isolé.

J'ai donc rapidemment contacté Apple, d'abord par téléphone, on m'a fait faire une manip, sans succès. On m'a donné un autre numéro Apple qui m'a rapidement renvoyer vers l'Apple Store (Une semaine pour obtenir un RDV)

J'explique que le problème est très (trop) récurrent sur ce modèle et qu'il hors de question que je paye une réparation etc. On me dit de rentrer et d'appeler Apple afin d'obtenir un geste sur le prix de réparation. Dès que je rentre, j'apelle et je tombe sur une femme, pas aimable et qui se contente de répéter "c'est hors garenti on peut rien faire" sans même m'écouter et veut me renvoyer à l'Apple Store. (Je n'habite pas à côté en plus). On m'a soutenu que ce n'est pas un vice un caché malgré tout ce que j'avançais.

Malgré mon insistance je n'ai donc rien obtenu. De plus, le service après vente est lamentable et le personnel n'est pas aimable.

Je suis extrêmement déçue d'Apple. Je m'attendais à plus de sérieux de leur part. à la vu du nombre de messages, de forums et d'articles divers que j'ai pu lire sur le sujet, il est simplement inadmissible qu'Apple ne réagisse pas !

Today I received a call from my local Apple Store. My MBP is ready to be picked up. I also received a call from Apple Corporate (as promised) to follow up on my service process.

It'll be interesting to see how the new system performs. Incidentally, I had them erase the hard drive in front of me before I parted with it. So I wonder if it will have an operating system installed? If not, how did they test the new logic board?

Maybe the just booted off their own drive to test it. I'm sure.

Well, I'll be in touch later this evening or tomorrow. I need to get back to my photo and video editing.

My system is an i7 quad core 2.0ghz. I was comparing what else is out there new and was surprised that there's not a huge difference in the machines other than the retina display. Sort of amazing that after nearly three years the systems are still about the same. In fact, standard is i5, but upgrade is i7. And the clock speed is relatively the same.

Apple munst launch a program of repair, I am one of those affected. Macbook Pro 2.0ghz 15 "(early 2011). Such problems should be solved.