Apple Extends NVIDIA MacBook Pro Warranty to 3 Years

[cbair3]

Second Failure

Just last week I had my video chip fail for the second time on my MBP 15 inch. (The first time was about 4 months after I bought it, now it was just short of two years - about 18 months after the first failure.)

I took it to the local Apple store and although they quoted 7-9 day turnaround they shipped it back to my house in 3 days, which was nice. My concern is that I have yet another 8600M chip. I'm worried that I'm doomed to more failures and downtime. Also, I had hoped that this computer would have a life beyond 3 years - either for my use, a hand-me-down, or for resale.

According to this article (don't know how well founded it is) they are all bad:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1028703/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

I appreciate the quick repair turnaround, but it would seem better if Apple were to swap the boards for a slightly newer one with a good video chip. Or, perhaps they should offer owners of these Macs a trade in program based on typical resale values. I think this issue will lower the resale value, and I wouldn't feel right selling it to someone who doesn't know about the problem.

Has anyone approached Apple about either an improved board remedy or some sort of trade-in offer? From the sound of things, Apple should try to make their customers happy and stick the bill to Nvidia (although that last part is Apple's issue to deal with.)

If not, are there enough people out there concerned about this that we should send a letter or something en masse?

- CB

 

[Whorehay]

I've gone through 3 logic board replacements in the past 2 years. All dealing with video card crapping out. If I have to go through one more, I may just ask for a replacement. A month of downtime in the past 2 years is too much, especially when it's known that even the newer ones are faulty.

Just last week I had my video chip fail for the second time on my MBP 15 inch. (The first time was about 4 months after I bought it, now it was just short of two years - about 18 months after the first failure.)

I took it to the local Apple store and although they quoted 7-9 day turnaround they shipped it back to my house in 3 days, which was nice. My concern is that I have yet another 8600M chip. I'm worried that I'm doomed to more failures and downtime. Also, I had hoped that this computer would have a life beyond 3 years - either for my use, a hand-me-down, or for resale.

According to this article (don't know how well founded it is) they are all bad:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1028703/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

I appreciate the quick repair turnaround, but it would seem better if Apple were to swap the boards for a slightly newer one with a good video chip. Or, perhaps they should offer owners of these Macs a trade in program based on typical resale values. I think this issue will lower the resale value, and I wouldn't feel right selling it to someone who doesn't know about the problem.

Has anyone approached Apple about either an improved board remedy or some sort of trade-in offer? From the sound of things, Apple should try to make their customers happy and stick the bill to Nvidia (although that last part is Apple's issue to deal with.)

If not, are there enough people out there concerned about this that we should send a letter or something en masse?

- CB

 

[helenkan]

Just last week I had my video chip fail for the second time on my MBP 15 inch. (The first time was about 4 months after I bought it, now it was just short of two years - about 18 months after the first failure

I took it to the local Apple store and although they quoted 7-9 day turnaround they shipped it back to my house in 3 days, which was nice. My concern is that I have yet another 8600M chip. I'm worried that I'm doomed to more failures and downtime. Also, I had hoped that this computer would have a life beyond 3 years - either for my use, a hand-me-down, or for resale.

According to this article (don't know how well founded it is) they are all bad:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1028703/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

I appreciate the quick repair turnaround, but it would seem better if Apple were to swap the boards for a slightly newer one with a good video chip. Or, perhaps they should offer owners of these Macs a trade in program based on typical resale values. I think this issue will lower the resale value, and I wouldn't feel right selling it to someone who doesn't know about the problem.

Has anyone approached Apple about either an improved board remedy or some sort of trade-in offer? From the sound of things, Apple should try to make their customers happy and stick the bill to Nvidia (although that last part is Apple's issue to deal with.)

If not, are there enough people out there concerned about this that we should send a letter or something en masse?

- CB

Looks like more of a miss system than hit. I was close to investing into it too a few years ago, glad I didnt'.

 

[synthetase]

Nvidia is actually tracking the repairs on these chips. There is a diagnostic that is run on systems that are booting properly. If your system is exhibiting signs, even if it is intermittent, it's a good idea to take it to a store to have it tested.

If the system fails the diagnostic, a verification code has to be entered for it to be covered under the repair extension.

Sometimes, if it's unknown what the issue is, it can be sent to the repair center where they can better determine the issue.

The repair extension will not cover your system if it is badly damaged physically however. So keep that in mind. Neither will AppleCare for that matter.

A lot of the systems with this issue have likely already been repaired.

SMC updates don't have much to do with it.