Just wait awhile. I say it so baised because I think it's moronic to buy a computer with a part with a known issue when you could just buy the new version that doesn't have that issue.
And you know this to be true? That the new version doesn't have that issue? Or are you making an assumption? You could very well be right about the new model not having "that" issue, but you really don't know for sure how many issues the new one will undoubtedly have. To say it's "moronic" to not buy the new version, but instead choose a machine where the known issue has been up front and center for a while now, is.... well... less than brilliant. It's too easy to just call something fact based on limited personal experience, reading blogs and internet journalists, and hearsay evidence.
That's why I asked you for the statistical data so I could actually measure my risk within a certain degree/margin of error. I guess I'll just have to wait on that...
its strange how all threads about MBP GPU end up in arguments without answering the thread starter's question. All I wanted to know are there any 'steps' to indicate whether the GPU is going to fail before it does. Also, after the failure what are the symptoms?
Discourse and argument are the facts of life on a forum. Nothing unfriendly about it, just discussion.
I have the gpu in question, and I don't know the answer to your question. In my case, as long as the machine is performing as it was designed to, and I haven't noticed a single change in graphical behavior, I don't know what good the test you're referring to really would be. On the other hand, if you are suspecting a problem because of something you're seeing, or not seeing... I'd probably have it checked out. So, if you're not seeing anything 'odd' then I'd say not to worry that much about it. If Apple ever needs to replace your circuit board/gpu, it'll be the same model, but more than likely will have been quality checked. It's not like Apple/nVidia isn't aware of higher than average failure rates, and have more than likely identified the bad chip run at nVidia, and made some technical changes to their processes. I doubt that they are knowingly replacing all these motherboards with equally faulty ones, because it costs them $ and reputation in the end.
Look at all the new MBPs being replaced because of slanted keys, dust/hair behind display glass, bad displays, bent/dented/cases, battery compartment doors that are loose and rattle around, light leaks, etc. etc. I can't tell you how many threads I've read where buyers have returned 3, 4 and even 5 MBPs for replacement due to some problem, either real or cosmetic.
I'd not worry too much about the early 08 MBP, especially if date of manufacture is September 08 or later. They're a good, solid machine with most of the kinks ironed out of them. If you aren't comfortable with the risk, especially since most of our information is based on hearsay, not actual statistics, then get rid of it and get a new version, with its own unknown risk factor.
