Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

forgot the specs:

Discrete card: AMD Radeon HD 6750M

15- Inch, Early 2011

Mavericks

Same here. Additionally, my 27" iMac (AMD Radeon) died the same way (after being repaired, off course). With the iMac first i thought bad luck. But how on earth could i ever buy a Apple product again without self-deception. Heck, my iPhone 5 just returned from Sleep/Wake-Button repair. This is ridiculous and i am unable/unwilling to accept this furthermore. Would/Could you, as a company, accept this comportment? Off course not. Farewell, Apple.

Hi djmatman,

Yes I got my repair (logic board changed) cost of £416 reimbursed  after I complained to Applecare in the UK.

European trading laws seemed to play it's part in helping me get the refund.

I must say Applecare really helped me after I got through to the dept that supports the the trading law side of things as he said to me there is a lot of confusion with customer rights both with the stores and customers.

Don't give up.

Same problem here Waiting for a solution from Apple!

Discrete card: AMD Radeon HD 6750M

15- Inch, Early 2011

Mavericks

To many people it is not just about the money. It is also about principle. It is about the way Apple is "managing" this issue and how they perceive their customers. This is simply unacceptable as this has become completely ridiculous or how could anyone argue, that "there is no problem".

I completely agree,

freaky56

search and you will find what you are looking for.

I'm curious.  How do you think Apple is "managing" this matter as you say?

Because frankly I don't see Apple "managing" this matter in any way, shape, or form.

I have answered you two times. The comment and the complaint about the deletion of the comment got both deleted with arbitrarily reasoning.

djmatman wrote:

 

My macbook pro went exactly the same way a few days ago. However mine is a late 2011 model, not early 2011 - a 15" i7 model with a Radeon HD 6770M graphics card with 1GB of GDDR5. Switching via gfxcardstatus confirms that this is the cause of my issues. Has anyone in the Uk had any luck getting a free repair with one of these based in EU consumer law?

Some have, read the thread for details.

Same issue here with a macbook pro early 2011. Started suddenly about two weeks ago. I still can switch to discrete graphic card but only for about a minute or so. Then either black screen, distortion or flickering lines. The computer works fine if I stay with the integrated graphic card using gfxcardstatus. The real problem for me is that I can't use a beamer or external monitor anymore, which I use daily at work... I did use my macbook intensely over the last three years, but for the price, I expected a longer life (nearly eight years with an ibook g4). Disappointed...

Regards,

Nicolas

I am another MBP 17 inch 2011 with crashing problems..

Is mac going to do anything?

JH

nifromloin wrote:

 

Same issue here with a macbook pro early 2011. Started suddenly about two weeks ago. I still can switch to discrete graphic card but only for about a minute or so. Then either black screen, distortion or flickering lines. The computer works fine if I stay with the integrated graphic card using gfxcardstatus. The real problem for me is that I can't use a beamer or external monitor anymore, which I use daily at work... I did use my macbook intensely over the last three years, but for the price, I expected a longer life (nearly eight years with an ibook g4). Disappointed...

Regards,

Nicolas

I think everyone who has this problem has been equally disappointed by the fact that these normally fabulous pieces of kit have got issues.

It certainly appears to the affecting both early and late 2011 MBP. (mine being a late 2011 17" MBP) - exactly the same issues as you have seen.

I think there are three options (unless of course you have Apple Care)

1. Thermal paste and heat sink cleaning

Advantages: Cheap $15 for paste and solvents, Takes about 2 hours or less, can be done at home / office.

Disadvantages: Might not work or issue might come back later, you might damage you computer further and make any warrantee or further logic board replacement program a problem.

2. Reballing GPU and/or CPU

Advantages: Cheaper than logic board replacement $100-$150, warrantee offered by providers, most likely to produce a longer working solution.

Disadvantages: Might have to send your computer away for work, might still not fix your problems.

3. Logic Board Replacement

Advantages: Should fix your issue.

Disadvantages: Currently expensive (unless Apple provides it under a recall), approx 3-7 day turn around.

In my case I'm experienced and confident with computer hardware and like most on this forum need my computer everyday for work - I did the Thermal Paste option first and for now this has worked and computer appears to be running better than ever - in fact I have got more and more confident as the week has gone on with running very GPU and CPU intensive programs without any issues. But a word of warning this solution requires complete removal of the computer logic board and if you damage any components or connectors it could end up costing a lot more than just simply replacing the logic board.

If you are not confident about opening your computer then I would speak to Apple Customer Services and see what they will offer for this 'known issue' - I've always been satisfied with them in the past - obviously keep the conversation polite and to the point. If you don't get what you want from them you could escalate your issue until it gets solved satisfactorily.

I hope this helps - there is a ton of information from others with similar issues so it might be worth going back over this discussion forum to look at other options.

Good Luck.

OK, Guys, i am a owner of Macbook Pro early 2011 17 inch model.

I did not read all of this thread, but i just want to drop a line that i have same problems like other peoples and the internal fan spin very noise.

I seldom use this MacBook Pro 17 inch cos i have other Macs, therefore is no bother me so much, but i know the problem never gone, it has been repair 2 times from genius bar. anyway, Apple should do something for us.

Sorry to say that option 3 is not a solution, cause for many here including me after getting the Logic Board replaced the issue came back in less than 12 months (at least for me), so option 1 or 2 are the only ones that might fix the issue for good.