Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card
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Sep 16, 2014 11:20 AMby AlexandreGarino,I brought back my laptop to the Geneva (Switzerland) Apple Store.
The issue is well known by Apple but not so much widespread to trigger a replacement program.
The replacement of the logic board is billed 575.- (CHF).
If Apple starts replacement program within a month they will refund the repairs, otherwise they won't!
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Sep 16, 2014 12:31 PMby akamyself,Only Apple got the numbers, they can do whatever they want to do with it, either tell us, customers, it's low and then not widespread enough or not.
@AlexandreGarino
But what do you mean, within a month?
Did someone at Apple stated something about a deadline for a possible recall program?
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Sep 16, 2014 1:44 PMby akamyself,AlexandreGarino wrote:
@akamyself
No. This is the deadline to get a refund for the repairs. They informed me that in case Apple starts a replacement program, they will reimburse repairs made within the last 30 days.
that would be interesting to know if anybody else been told that too, it is pretty ridiculous to give such a short notice, even the warranty is longer, 3 months.
I been told before that in case of a recall, I would get my money back for the repair I was invited to pay for but no such thing as a 1 month only after it would be done.
guess you could double check with either someone else at the store or through the Apple Care on the phone.
even though the more time goes by the less believable Apple will do anything about this MBP 2011 default...
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Sep 16, 2014 2:22 PMby 3x4rkun,You can also count me in the number of victims of the failing discrete GPU. I have a Macbook Pro 15" early 2011 and the black screen of death occurred without any warning. This has started around three years after date of purchase.
Even though my only way of reliably booting was to make the computer overheat and then start it again, thus using the integrated GPU, I initially decided to manage the problem using gfxCardStatus. However, that solution is now impracticable because for some unknown reason my computer refuses to wake from sleep. It seems as if it switches to the discrete when waking, which renders the screen totally black. Without the possibility of putting the computer to sleep and with the necessity of overheating the computer to boot it, I moved the relevant kexts to disable completely some graphic drivers. Needless to say this has many inconveniences, but at least it boots reliably. If anyone has an idea on how to solve that waking from sleep crash that would be greatly appreciated.
This situation is unacceptable for all of us and a replacement program would definitely be needed to restore trust between Apple and its customers.
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Sep 16, 2014 2:43 PMby drwily,What do you mean "what I 'expect' to happen"? I am simply stating a fact. I didn't expect my Macbook Pro to break two years after purchase, that's for sure. I didn't expect that Apple would ignore the problem, and even censor detailed descriptions of the problem and external links in the discussions.
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Sep 16, 2014 3:25 PMby jasoprano,CSound1, one question, cause I see you have this: MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), 16GB 2011 SSHD
Did this issue happened to you too? what or how did you solve it? chose to repair with apple and if it happens again what will you do? lets see if we gate something valuable out of you instead of ******* people off....
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Sep 16, 2014 4:12 PMby akamyself,@jasoprano, @LovedJames
he won't answer, tried before, his 2011 mbp is working fine and he got plenty others anyway, as he said.
he won't imagine being affected nor share what option he would choose because that would be speculating.
but whatever question you have about the TOU, he's your guy.
maybe I'm violating again now, might got this one removed...
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Sep 16, 2014 5:32 PMby MacMusician81,Not sure if it will do anything, but I wrote this email (Steve Jobs was known to occasionally respond to emails):
Dear Mr. Cook,
Like many who I'm guessing have already tried to reach out to Apple through various channels, I am a frustrated owner of a 15" Early 2011 MacBook Pro.While I understand that Apple only covers hardware issues for the one year warranty (or three years with AppleCare), this problem is not something I associate with Apple. I still have an orange iMac 333Mhz that runs like a charm. My dad still has a Powerbook G3 he uses for MacDraw from 1998. These are 15+ year old products that still run without issues.
But after 3 years, my $2,000+ computer is almost completely nonfunctional due to what I assume is an issue with the discrete GPU. Not only does it cripple my productivity, but it's going to be financially crippling to have it fixed or replaced. I would normally be able to sell my old laptop after purchasing a new one, but how much is a broken Apple product worth to recuperate some of the expenses? Like the others, I find myself between a rock and a hard place. And where I am hoping for an answer from the company that I've supported my entire adult life, I am met with silence.
You did the right thing when you addressed a similar issue in the 27 inch iMac. Please address this issue. Your loyal customers are begging you.
Sincerely,
Chris
<Email Edited by Host>
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Sep 16, 2014 5:43 PMby carl wolf,"due to what I assume is an issue with the discrete GPU..."
If I read this, I'd ask myself "why didn't the user verify the cause of the failure before he wrote to me".
IMHO, it would have been a better to have ascertained the problem, and write, "The problem has been verified - by the Apple Genius at the <location> Apple store - to be <xxx>, identical o hundreds of other users who have posted in the <xxx> Apple Support discussion."
"You did the right thing when you addressed a similar issue in the 27 inch iMac"
It was a different issue, dissimilar in cause and scope.
