Apple admits nVidia Graphics problem on MacBook Pros

College Life
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<p>Symptoms</p>

<p>In July 2008, NVIDIA publicly acknowledged a higher than normal failure rate for some of their graphics processors due to a packaging defect. At that same time, NVIDIA assured Apple that Mac computers with these graphics processors were not affected. However, after an Apple-led investigation, Apple has determined that some MacBook Pro computers with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor may be affected. If the NVIDIA graphics processor in your MacBook Pro has failed, or fails within two years of the original date of purchase, a repair will be done free of charge, even if your MacBook Pro is out of warranty.</p>

<p>What to look for:</p>

<pre><code>* Distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen
* No video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on
</code></pre>

<p>Specific products affected:</p>

<pre><code>* MacBook Pro 15-inch and 17-inch models with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors
o MacBook Pro (17-Inch, 2.4GHz)
o MacBook Pro (15-Inch, 2.4/2.2GHz)
o MacBook Pro (Early 2008)
* These computers were manufactured between approximately May 2007 and September 2008
</code></pre>

<p>Products Affected</p>

<p>MacBook Pro, models with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors
Resolution</p>

<p>If your MacBook Pro is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above, please take it to an Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for evaluation, or call your local Apple Contact Center. Before visiting the Genius Bar at the Apple Retail Store, please make a reservation.</p>

<p>Apple is issuing refunds to customers who may have paid for repairs related to this issue. Please contact Apple for details on the refund process.</p>

<p>Note: If your MacBook Pro is not experiencing any of these symptoms, you do not need to contact Apple. </p>

<p>MacBook</a> Pro: Distorted video or no video issues</p>

<p>This means that the repair to one of my systems in August likely has the defective chip but at least I will have another 9 months of warranty. If it fails inside the two-year period, I should get a free repair. If it fails outside, I would ask them to eat the repair too as the new board should carry the two-year warranty as well as they admit the problem but I'll deal with that if and when I get there. This also means that I won't be buying the extended warranties for the other two machines. I assume that Apple has tested the newer graphics chips and certified them. If the new post September chips are bad, then Apple will have a lot of egg on their face.</p>

<p>Their new models come out on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to what they have to offer. I can't really justify a new laptop (already bought three this year) and I'd really like to wait for Larrabee (2010) before considering a replacement. I'm sure the new laptops will be very nice.</p>

2

<p>Does anybody know how early the new notebooks could be making it to the stores? I am fairly positive I will be purchasing the next released Macbook, but I’m not sure how soon the new products make it to the store after they are first announced.</p>

3

<p>I wanted a new Penryn MacBook Pro when they first came out in 17 inches with the Led Screen. I called the three stores in my area regularly and ordered online after about 2 weeks because they didn’t have them in stock. They would get one or two in per day but someone at the store would snap them up. The nearest store is 30 minutes away and I didn’t have the time to camp out there. So I gave up an order online. The 15 inch MacBook Pros where easier to get.</p>

<p>I expect demand for the new MacBook (low end) to be very brisk. I think that many will be interested in a MacBook at the new price point. I prefer to buy them at the store as you have more of a relationship with the folks at the store where you buy it from. And you don’t have to wait a few weeks for a high-demand model.</p>

4

<p>Besides having the laptops in stock, how early do the stores basically have the new laptops on display? I would like to buy a Macbook ASAP, but I would first really like to see it in the store.</p>

5

<p>I’ve seen it take weeks to get newly announced products into the stores in the past. Having them in the stores would create a big information security problem and Apple is paranoid about that.</p>