Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

DMC440 wrote:

 

JoseAngelAcosta wrote:

 

they could just UPGRADE the Logic boards to another more recent model (bascically every MBP non-retina post early 2011) this case benefits you with an more powerfull and efficient MBP, and doesn imply software changes since is transparen to to OSX (actually you can do that in case you decide to replace the logic board instead to buy the same model, get a newer one suitable for Unibody MBP).

 

Hmm. I'm a little dubious about this.  Successive generations have numerous minor (and major) changes that I think it's doubtful that you could put in a newer board and have it work.  Do you know anyone who has tried this?

Yes,  actually at iFixit exist an three about that,  read it with your own eyes :

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/80491/Can+you+install+any+A1286+logic+board+ in+15%22+Unibody

Theorically we can put on our mbp15e2011 any logic board from 2011 upto mid 2012 (mid 2012 includes USB3, so new cables/conector are needed to complete the conversion, but no more than that.

Basically the aluminum unibody case and the battery and DVD hdd connectors don't change,  only usb and some cases the wifi card, if Apple opt  for this solution they will assembly an upgrade kit with the required cables and connectors to full match the logic

BTW, what I really want is that Apple just give me a new one as an GC so I can choose a new system that helps me to forget this nightmare.

The logic board is not the same for all the 2011 MBP , there are many different logic boards depends on the configuration of the computer, Graphics chips are not the same, graphics memory is not the same and processor model and speed is also not the same so logic boards are not all the same.

Who's said are the same.?  Obviously Not,  another thing is that our unibody cases can use a variety logic board just mounting where the old was.

Are you trying to say that you would accept a downgraded version of the logic board if it fits inside your case ?!! so finally you started to lower down your expectations ?!! do you know what that means ? it means that you don't feel like you are on a good standing and just trying to get anything that fits and works, disappointing.

I am now a member of this unfortunate club. Today I visited the Genius Bar in San Francisco and they offered me a flat rate repair for $310+tax which I hesitantly accepted. However, after thinking on it for a couple hours I called back and cancelled my repair autorization for two reasons: 1) Unless Apple has redesigned the montherboard so that this design flaw has been resolved (which they most probably have not, because that would be admitting there is a fault) this will only be a temporary fix and it will fail again in the future, and they only guarantee the work for 90 days. 2) I am already out several thousand dollars for the MacBook Pro, it is not justified that I should pay $310+tax for a problem that will only occur again in the future (by multiple accounts in this form and others) and be out even more money.

Another early-2011 17" MBP owner here. I'm getting vertical stripes on boot, and then it locks up and heats up to the point where it's too hot to touch, and the fans are spinning at maximum speed. At that point all I can do is power it down.

Starting it up again will often result in a normal, successful boot into OS X, but sometimes I'll just get the stripes again and have to keep trying. Last night I was doing this cycle for like three hours before it finally booted into OS X successfully.

Same issue as everyone is descirbing. Lost a lot of data because of Apple as well.

What I don't like is when you go to the "Genius" Bar they act like they are not aware of this issue and when you point out the obvious then they remember it out of nowhere. One of them even booted up my machine and claimed it was all fixed... haha.

What a joke.. Disappointed with Apple A LOT. Hardware really needs a lot of work.

As Software Engineer I am officially moving to Linux.

Apple won't run out of logic boards because

1) not enough people are getting the problem fixed by Apple

2) those who are getting it fixed either get tired of doing so and stop getting apple repairs or they eventually get a new system.

Apple royally screwed us over. And they aren't going to change their minds about ignoring us. Seems like this is case closed.

Hey guys!

Another person who suffered from MBP 2011 being so awesome.

I have a question...is there a way to ensure that gfxcard will be enforcing intergrated videocard no matter what?

And what version everyone is using? I have v2.2.1 running and I am afraid to switch it off and update for the new one...plus I don't know if it's really better.

Another question here, maybe we can make a list of programs which bypass gfxcard app and turn on discrete videocard? As far, as I noticed: Apple doesn't want to help us, we can start helping ourselves...

Thank you for your time everyone and cheers!

What? What on earth are you taking about? Who mentioned downgrading?

ps3specialist wrote:

 

Are you trying to say that you would accept a downgraded version of the logic board if it fits inside your case ?!! so finally you started to lower down your expectations ?!! do you know what that means ? it means that you don't feel like you are on a good standing and just trying to get anything that fits and works, disappointing.

Who said downgraded? please read the link i provided at iFixit where somebody upgraded ther A1286 to an mid 2012 Board with QuadCore i7 and USB3;

FYI the A1286 Fits w/o Mods (just plug and play) every 2011 A1268 logic board: Early or Late 2011, and with an minor mod a every mid2012 logicboard, Please Read: https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/80491/Can+you+install+any+A1286+logic+board+ in+15%22+Unibody#answer160892

"the ports, cables and screw holes lined up perfectly.  Even the cables to the fan that I had broken (pulled instead of lifted).  My system has officially gone from 2.3 GHz > 2.6 GHz, USB 2 > 3, bluetooth 2.1 > 4, Radeon 6750M > GeForce 650M, etc, etc.  Not mentioning the previous upgrades I had done to the RAM (16GB) and the hard drive(s) [1TB Hybrid in the SuperDrive bay and a 120GB SSD in the main bay]. So YES, it is totally possible to interchange the unibody logic boards"

I Understand You May Fav everybody to Reballing their boards, I Fav to Upgrade It.

I'm confident Apple will provide Us a Fix or a replacement, they Just Recalled Millions iPhone Chargers (out warranty) across Europe, if We are not millions, this increase the possibilities for us to get an New system or at least an new logic board.

JoseAngelAcosta wrote:

 

I Understand You May Fav everybody to Reballing their boards, I Fav to Upgrade It.

A logic board costs about 800$ + shipping from Ebay, and you usually get 2 months of warranty. You'd be investing about 900$ in a machine with 2 months of warranty, and old components such as the screen, battery, hard drive, etc, that may fail anytime soon.

A reballing with ps3specialist costs about 150$ + shipping and he gives a 1 year warranty. Here the screen or battery could fail too, but at least you'd have spent about 250$ not 900$.

For 999$ you can a buy a 13'' Macbook Air with a fourth generation core i5 which is faster than a 2012 core i7, with 1 year of warranty, a new SSD, and an intel HD 5000, which is more than enough to handle most of the normal tasks except gaming, or heavy use of Premiere, After Effects, 3D etc. If you are a pro in those fields you should really be getting a desktop anyway. For 1000$ you can get decent powered pc desktop and install your favorite operating system (which is what I did when my MBP 2011 died recently).

Of all 3 options, upgrading the logic board is clearly the worst of all, unless you can find a bargain for it with more than 2 months warranty.

Is ps3specialist still offering the reballing service? Who can vouch for his workmanship?

kophinos wrote:

 

Is ps3specialist still offering the reballing service? Who can vouch for his workmanship?

By all accounts his workmanship is exemplary.  His sanity is another matter.