Does dGPU still have problem?

[RayIshido]

Hi,

I am planing to buy the new MBP 2016 as soon as available, but as the "lucky" owner of 2011 MBP I am quite resentful of buying it with dGPU.

But on the other side, as I do photo and Video editing a dGPU will also speed up my workflow.

So how are the reliability of the dGPU today of recent MBP? Is there any history of chronic failure or is it safe to buy a MBP with dGPU?

Thanks!

 

[Queen6]

Nobody knows for certain, what can be said is that Apple has a tragic record with portable Mac`s with dGPU. As long Apple chooses to run high power components at their upper limits for the sake of form of function the potential for premature failure will remain. There`s good reason why Windows OEM counterparts have significantly greater ventilation, nor is it related to the designers and engineers abilities.

Personally now I avoid portable Mac`s with dGPU as in general they simply run too hot, which can and does result in failure, increased fan noise, and or throttling. If I needed a notebook with dGPU, I would be looking at a Windows based system, not a Mac.

It`s also worth noting how Apple deals with mass failures of their product, replacing flawed boards with same refurbished boards that are still flawed, which in general tend to fail rapidly, nor will Apple take any action unless pressed by imminent court action.

Buying a 2016 MBP with dGPU will incur the same risk as those who bought one in 2011. The new model may potentially run without issue for many years, or be little more than a "doorstop" in a couple of years. There lies the problem, little too much like "rolling the dice" for my liking. To me Apple`s strategy remains the same "thinner & lighter" at all costs. I rely on my Mac`s for my living, thankfully dGPU is not a requirement, therefore my first consideration is reliability...


Q-6

 

[JTToft]

Nobody knows for certain

- That's about right.

There isn't a currently known widespread problem with the 2015 model (much less the hypothetical 2016 one), though there have been scattered reports already of something sounding an awful lot like the 2011 problems.

The gist of it is that you may or may not have issues with a dGPU if you opt for that configuration. You're guaranteed not to if you don't.

 

[emilioestevez]

GeForce GT 750Ms are fine.

AMD Radeon R9 M370Xs are fine, too, but prone to throttling.

 

[tubeexperience]

- That's about right.

There isn't a currently known widespread problem with the 2015 model (much less the hypothetical 2016 one), though there have been scattered reports already of something sounding an awful lot like the 2011 problems.

Well, obviously. The problem is chronic and likely to be more prevalent as the laptop ages.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Hi,

I am planing to buy the new MBP 2016 as soon as available, but as the "lucky" owner of 2011 MBP I am quite resentful of buying it with dGPU.

But on the other side, as I do photo and Video editing a dGPU will also speed up my workflow.

So how are the reliability of the dGPU today of recent MBP? Is there any history of chronic failure or is it safe to buy a MBP with dGPU?

Thanks!

Are you serious??? Until a laptop has been on the market for a couple of years there is no way to tell, that is the trouble with always using brand new tech in computers everyone who buys one is basically a stress testing quality control experiment.

Everyone is hoping that Apple use the Polaris to be released in June, it should run much faster and cooler than the previous generation and therefore be less likely to be an issue however everyone is also hoping that Apple use a new design and how the dGPU does in a new chassis etc over time in that will not be known until they are out in the wild for 2-3 years.

Nature of the beast I'm afraid it's the risk you take buying any computer with brand new tech in it, you are a hardware beta tester, if you don't want that risk your only choice is only to buy old tech.

 

[maflynn]

Apple's track record with dGPUs seems rather poor, 2008, 2010, 2011 models all had some sort of issue with the dGPU.

So far the 2012 and beyond don't seem to be exhibiting the problems, so hopefully the issues are now behind Apple (and us), but those problems have certainly given me pause.

 

[JTToft]

So far the 2012 and beyond don't seem to be exhibiting the problems

- 2012 and Early 2013 Retinas are actually included in the current repair programme.

 

[RayIshido]

Hi!

Thank you all for your answers. Unfortunately they confirms what I suspected and as I can't live with a Damocles sword over my head I will go for the none dGPU version (as soon as it is announced!)

Are you serious???

Yes I was: I didn't track the dGPU problems on newer model since early 2015. At that times almost every MBP from 2008 to 2011 was concerned some kind of dGPU failure. If I remember well it was due to none lead solder that crack after to many heat/cool process.
So I was wondering if in that one and a half year some 2012 or 2013 models had developed similar problems as they have been in used for 2/4 years now (which seems to be the time for the failures to appears).

 

[Queen6]

Hi!

Thank you all for your answers. Unfortunately they confirms what I suspected and as I can't live with a Damocles sword over my head I will go for the none dGPU version (as soon as it is announced!)


Yes I was: I didn't track the dGPU problems on newer model since early 2015. At that times almost every MBP from 2008 to 2011 was concerned some kind of dGPU failure. If I remember well it was due to none lead solder that crack after to many heat/cool process.
So I was wondering if in that one and a half year some 2012 or 2013 models had developed similar problems as they have been in used for 2/4 years now (which seems to be the time for the failures to appears).

With Apple your purchasing a design statement as much as pure hardware. For Apple to achieve this, compromises are clearly made. Comparing an equivalent Windows OEM notebook it will have significantly more cooling intake & exhaust surface area as the OEM`s are less concerned with look of the notebook, especially the underside.

You have made the right decision for your needs, although thx to Apple pricing structure it may "pinch" a little, equally you will have peace of mind.

Had Apple designed & manufactured notebooks that met their customers expectations, the story may well be very different. I can only hope that Apple is moving forward and does not prioritise form over function, equally I have low expectations of the current management team. Thinner & Lighter is obviously desirable, however in a Professional level, Prosumer notebook this can, and is clearly counter intuitive...


Q-6