Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Apple Media Helpline (408) 974-2042 media.help@apple.com

Jhay-ar wrote:

 

Apple Media Helpline (408) 974-2042 media.help@apple.com

What is this for?

So, despite my initial disappointment, Apple did make it up to me this time around - on my fourth trip in for repairs they simply offered me a replacement computer to avoid any more setbacks. Sure, I lost the optical drive and I can't use the 16GB of RAM I just purchased for my old mac, but I can sell that to someone else and buy a $30 USB optical drive no problem, and frankly, a new machine for the $300 repair fee is fine with me (I won't complain about the solid state drive either - Photoshop opened within seconds!)

As frustrating as this was initially, I'm glad to say that at least for me, the resolution was ultimately positive, though something is definitely wrong if they have to hand out a completely new machine instead of relying on a repair. Hopefully they will do something to help the rest of you out - I know that many of you still have fingers crossed for a refund program. Obviously YMMV when dealing with different stores and different Apple service associates, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this issue to see how it resolves before diving back into Apple culture on my next purchase.

Good luck to all of you!

Chelsealinaeve, what are the specs (RAM, SSD size, etc.) of your new MacBook Pro?

Chelsealinaeve wrote:

 

So, despite my initial disappointment, Apple did make it up to me this time around - on my fourth trip in for repairs they simply offered me a replacement computer to avoid any more setbacks. Sure, I lost the optical drive and I can't use the 16GB of RAM I just purchased for my old mac, but I can sell that to someone else and buy a $30 USB optical drive no problem, and frankly, a new machine for the $300 repair fee is fine with me (I won't complain about the solid state drive either - Photoshop opened within seconds!)

 

As frustrating as this was initially, I'm glad to say that at least for me, the resolution was ultimately positive, though something is definitely wrong if they have to hand out a completely new machine instead of relying on a repair. Hopefully they will do something to help the rest of you out - I know that many of you still have fingers crossed for a refund program. Obviously YMMV when dealing with different stores and different Apple service associates, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this issue to see how it resolves before diving back into Apple culture on my next purchase.

 

Good luck to all of you!

Good for you!

This should happen to all of us...

Even if this did happen to all of Us, it would entail 3 logic board replacements. At its cheapest ($310 each)  that still amounts to $930. And for those in other countries logic board replacements cost anywhere between $400 to $1000 each, amounting to $1200 to $3000 for 3 replacements.

Even at the cheapest price, that's robbery.

I'm glad you are happy with your new mbp. I'd like to know the specs too if you don't mind. Although IMHO I'm not willing to spend even just the cheapest $300 for a defective repair or 900 for a new Apple laptop that cannot be upgraded in any way.

It's ridiculous and ludicrous to pay so much money for a product and be treated as though you don't own the thing.

My macbook pro was repaire and I paid $310. They replace the old logic board with brand new one then they replace the display lid and replace my battery. So far it works great but $310 was too much for me paying. How long do you think my macbook pro will last? Some of the people in this discussion say the problem came back after 6 months or less. My warrentee is only 90 days and I am worried if it returns.

I meant getting a new computer, not paying for repair 3 times.

xashi wrote:

 

How long do you think my macbook pro will last? Some of the people in this discussion say the problem came back after 6 months or less. My warrentee is only 90 days and I am worried if it returns.

Right, that's why my Geniuses suggested I contact my credit carrd company to see if they offered a longer protection service.  The Visa that I paid my first $310+tax only went the same length - 90 days.  For my second $310+tax charge I used American Express as it seems they offer longer warranty. Granted I am sure if needed that will be a fight too.

Script idea for Jony Ive:

It's the most exquisite hardware with the most powerful processor and graphics we've ever produced.

When you put one of our top-of-the-line laptops in your lap, it's such a hot product you'll instantly change your mind about why we've even called it a laptop. It not only burns skin, it'll burn a hole in your pocket.

The 2011 MacBook Pro has been designed to "just work", so long as you keep these few Apple tips in mind...

• Don't make the Mac work too hard. With the blazing fast processor and graphics, you'll want to only read email and lightly surf the Internet.
• Don't watch lots of YouTube videos, plug in an external monitor (using our Lightning port designed for just that task) or use any computationally taxing program, like our award-winning PhotoBooth and Aperture.
• Be sure to write your expiration date on the top case as you remove your new MacBook Pro from our environmentally-friendly box. We recommend about two years. For your personal expiration date, simply touch the area above the 5 key and if it is too hot to tolerate, subtract a few days.
• Don't ever upgrade your OS. What we give you in 2011 is fine, despite our constant push to have you upgrade to take advantage of iCloud and other great Apple innovations.
• Photoshop and Final Cut Pro should be used only if your MacBook Pro is constantly run in a 68 degree room with a cooling fan running across all surfaces of your MacBook Pro. Oh, and NEVER take your laptop outdoors.

Steve Jobs would be proud of the thought and design we crammed into this product. The folks at AMD told us not to worry about little things like solder, heat sink, airflow, etc. so why should you?

-----

But seriously, I have decided to bite the bullet and take my 17" Late 2011 MBP in for the Logic Board "repair" and I've told everyone working my case that I do it under extreme protest.

Add me to the list of those with this problem. Quite odd, very frustrating, so far I seem to be able to boot to recovery partition, then back out and reboot to useable screen. Is this mixed together with software driver issues?

This is brilliant. Thanks for the laugh. I am totally with you however. Had my macbook pro reballed due to this issue, needed to take it back once after that because it started the same **** after a month. I strongly doubt that it will last me another year before the same issue pops up again. Next time it happens though I'll go to the iStore here in Cape Town and ask them if there's any point in replacing the logic board because of x,y and z...

Want to beta test Yosemite on my home MBP, what do you guys think? Possible to switch to internal graphics using terminal? Doubt that gfxCardStatus will work

Had this start happening to me last week. The screen would randomly split and get all distorted, and then to the point where when I rebooted it wouldn't get to the login screen. Took it in to the Apple Store and they decided the logicboard needed to be replaced (thankfully under AppleCare). 3 days later they call me and say they also need to replace the hard drive and RAM and would be another couple of days. Total bill was over $800. I picked up my computer and within an hour started having the same problem. Again, will not boot past the Apple logo, and if it does, it goes straight to a blue screen.

Taking it back in about an hour...

Ask for your RAM and hard drive back, along with those repair costs. I'd bet this is only a GPU failure and you have paid Apple to "over-react" instead of properly diagnose.