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Level 1

8 points

Early 2011 Macbook Pro 15' - Logic Board Failure

Hey guys, first post on this website, so go easy on me!

About two weeks ago, my Early 2011 15' Macbook Pro's logic board failed on me. It was only nine months out of warranty, and costed me around $2400 at the time of purchase (high end 15' model).

I went into the Apple store to diagnosis it. They did a hardware test, and even though the logic board appeared to be fine on all of the tests they did, the guy there said that he's 100% sure that it was.

$630 later, I have a new logic board. I feel like I've been cheated by Apple, and a $2400 computer shouldn't need a $600 repair not even two years later. All anybody from Apple can say is 'Should have got Apple Care', which I find iggnorant.

Has ANYBODY else had this problem on their Macbook's around this year? Also, what would the best way to try and get compensated for this be? I have tried Customer Relations once, but he didn't seem to budge.. Just kept telling me that it was 'bad luck' and there is nothing he can do. Bad luck doesn't break an expensive machine like this so quickly.

Cheers

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011)

Posted on Apr 1, 2013 3:24 PM

352 replies

Sep 7, 2013 12:09 PM in response to Airbum88

Apparently late 2010's had bad logic boards, there was even a class action lawsuit. I too, feel like I bought a lemon...first the LCD and now the logic board. The next time it breaks that will be it for me. It will be back to a computer that I won't have to spend close to $3000 and have it go bad on me every year. At work I have a machine that is running Linux on it and I have never had an issue with it in 5 years and the cost for that was no where close to what a paid for my MacBook Pro.

Airbum88

Level 1

6 points

Sep 7, 2013 12:12 PM in response to HaveOneOfEach7

Apple is clearly aware of the problem.

Unfortunately, it didn't seem like they care to fix the solution anytime soon unless they are forced by the courts.

Sep 7, 2013 12:18 PM in response to Airbum88

Ultimately they said it was my GPU went out but I was able to reinstall the OS with a screen several times, in my opinion what happened is there is an issue which causes he computer not to sleep when it is supposed to or some other reason. The board gets really hot and it starts to fry the other components. That would explain the fans running like crazy and the computer being almost to hot to touch when it is supposed to be sleeping.

Airbum88

Level 1

6 points

Sep 7, 2013 12:20 PM in response to HaveOneOfEach7

Although I have pretty much the same symptoms as you with the boot screens, I didn't have any heat, sleep, or fan issues. I really don't know what the cause to my problem is.

Lil4alot

Level 1

0 points

Oct 8, 2013 4:54 PM in response to brennan135

My early 2011 MBP's logic board just failed. Very disappointing having to shell out another 800 for a diagnosis, logic board and labor.

Moonvox

Level 1

4 points

Oct 14, 2013 4:53 AM in response to brennan135

Same situaction here, ealry MacBook Pro 2011 logic board failure...no Apple Care. They told me to buy a new machine, too expensive to repair with Apple and if you go to ebay and try to find a Logic Board too risky...

Jpl63

Level 1

0 points

Oct 21, 2013 8:56 PM in response to brennan135

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=585&tstart=0

Longest thread dedicated to this problem.

Oct 21, 2013 10:10 PM in response to Jpl63

same issue quoted me for $480

Lil4alot

Level 1

0 points

Oct 22, 2013 7:18 AM in response to Lil4alot

I ended up spending $600 to get my logic board replaced, I tried pleading my case with a manager and while he was "sympathetic" to my situation (as many of the genius bar employees were) there was nothing he could do. He said it would defeat the purpose of Apple Care.

It's disappointing becase I have bought many products that aren't 'premium products' and never had to buy a $300 care program just incase something goes wrong.

Also worth noting, when I picked up my computer from repair at the Apple store the employee who I was dealing with said he had dealt with an abnormally high volume of logic board/video card failures in MBP's as of late.

Oct 23, 2013 7:28 AM in response to brennan135

dissapointing thig happend to my macbook pro 2010 13 inch. some day it got shutdown i went to AASP they told me it was logic board failure and quoted me for price of $410. which is approx half the price of new macbookpro i bought it in 2011 its just 2 years how could a world class machine like this could fail in just 2 years . why these replacement costs are too much expensive. why dont they take failure logic board which is not physically damaged and provide new one for somewat low price. they could refurbish it. they could know what is exact problem is and they could rectify it.. also it wil cost them few bucks only. why apple is not concentrating on this issue intead of conducting wwdc meets and releasing new macbookpro's /air,

very frustating thing is apple care costs aroung $300. this is like direct responce from apple saying pay us 40% of macbook price again or other wise your macbook will fail after one year. and in some countries like india they don't have apple shops they are just giving buying permissions to AASP. these guys just rip you wallet even for a small issue. even we pay $410 for new logic board they dont give warranty more than 90 days. even after you buy new logic board there are so many complaints regarding new logic board failure after 90 days of limited warranty. i dont know why is not focusing on this major issue. they are just screwing 2009,2010,2011 macbookpro buyers. come on guys lets make this issue major so apple could implement some programs regarding logic board repairs am not asking apple to replace logic board's for free. am just asking them to implement some programs about "REPARING LOGICBOARDS WHICH ARE NOT PHYSICALLY DAMAGED BY CUSTOMER" which costs low price than buying a new logic boards to previous macbook users. i think apple should concentrate on this major issue

Oct 25, 2013 10:25 AM in response to brennan135

Update... my Mac is still running fine but I decided to jump to a new rMBP. Now I'm debating on how to best list my device on ebay. Given the repair was done and the device has a new board from Apple and a repair warranty for another month. Hopefully someone will see the value in having a machine that has this issue resoved.

As for the machine, the GPU seems to perform much better when it comes to the various Spaces/Mission Control changes. Before the UI would hang as I toggled between screens.

Why are you guys being qouted such high prices? Apple gave me a flat rate repair fee, and the device returned in about 3 days. Good luck.

Swampus

Level 2

180 points

Oct 25, 2013 1:58 PM in response to ljonesATL

ljonesATL wrote:
...Hopefully someone will see the value in having a machine that has this issue resoved..

...Why are you guys being qouted such high prices? Apple gave me a flat rate repair fee, and the device returned in about 3 days. Good luck.

"Resolved" is a pretty strong word when discussing this topic. As a buyer, I'd see some value in having a few weeks to test the machine, though. And kudos to you for wanting to err on the side of honesty.

The flat rate isn't available in all countries. Also, the $310 that you paid implies that yours is in near perfect physical condition and there were no signs of accidental damage. A small dent would bump to the next tier. Signs of water damage, even if it had never caused you problems, would bump to the highest tier ($1200 or so).

Oct 29, 2013 2:37 PM in response to brennan135

I have started having problems with my MacBook Pro Late 2011, which I bought in March 2012. It is a 15" MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Quad-core Intel i7. Today I have received a letter from the local Apple authorized service provider. As per their information the logic board needs to be replaced, the price is $ 770.00 plus I have paid the fee to get it checked - for the first hour $ 136.00. I took my laptop home. Now is it reliable to send it to wpbcomputertech, who claims can fix the logic board? I do not have an AppleCare, the warranty has expired. I have contacted the Apple support; of course they are not aware of any problem and could not help me. Apple's Senior Advisor said cannot help; the only thing would be is to take it to GeniusBar. In past, I owned a couple of MS laptops, none failed in the first year. More than $ 2000.00 down the toilet.

carl wolf

Level 6

14,625 points

Oct 29, 2013 2:49 PM in response to Sad20131029

"the only thing would be is to take it to GeniusBar."

Have you done so, as directed?

Oct 29, 2013 3:37 PM in response to carl wolf

No, have not done, yet. I am afraid they will come up with the same decision, as it is noted in my customer invoice "Confirmed symptoms and troubleshooting with Apple and they agree the logic board needs replaced.

"I took my laptop from the local Apple authorized service provider around 05:00 pm, today, eastern time. I need to wait until this weekend to be able to take it to GeniusBar, since they are at least 1.5 hours driving distance.

I was thinking, since I do not have any kind of hardware warranty, AppleCare plan, perhaps it is better to go with a third party and get it fixed. Otherwise I would better spend $ 770.00 for a new desktop.

Early 2011 Macbook Pro 15' - Logic Board Failure