Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
You are correct. "Repairs" just swap out GPUs for new defective GPUs

I asked one genius guy if this was the chip that was having all the problems. he acknowledged me. I later talked to a manager regarding the service of the genius bar (i wasn't impressed with how they handled the machine and how long i had to wait with no one there and me next in line)...i asked what happens in the future knowing this new chip will fail....he seemed unaware of any problems....frustrating.

I don't think anything will happen with one repair, but if it happens again I think its good enough to ask for something more than a repeatedly failing chip.
 
I asked one genius guy if this was the chip that was having all the problems. he acknowledged me. I later talked to a manager regarding the service of the genius bar (i wasn't impressed with how they handled the machine and how long i had to wait with no one there and me next in line)...i asked what happens in the future knowing this new chip will fail....he seemed unaware of any problems....frustrating.

I don't think anything will happen with one repair, but if it happens again I think its good enough to ask for something more than a repeatedly failing chip.

If it fails again you can ask but it will go in one ear and out the other. They will not replace the computer until it fails at least 3 time. I was finally able to get one computer replaced after the 4th graphics failure.
 
Is it fair to say the 2007 SR MBPs have the higher failure rate compared to Early 08 models
 
I think so...the 2.2GHz seems to have the most problems out of any of the MBPs.

I wonder why that is. Could it be those machines suffered the defective manufacturing more than the early 08 models or is it that the thermal envelope on those machines generate more heat than 08 models due to the difference in processors 65nm to 45nm (less heat)
 
is it that the thermal envelope on those machines generate more heat than 08 models due to the difference in processors 65nm to 45nm (less heat)

Hmm. Is this a plausible explanation? It does seem like the 2.4's have not had as many problems of the others. I just assumed it was due to age. Since I have a 2.4, though, I have a material interest in the question.
 
I bought my MBP in November 2007 but it has the 2.4 with the 667MHz FSB. I forget the name of that particular line of C2D.

I haven't had any failures yet but my laptop isn't used like a desktop. Just wondering if this 2.4 vs 2.2 talk applies to a late 2007 2.4 also.
 
My 2.2 SR was replaced with a 2.6 SR board (late 2007 model). I had that late 2007 2.6 die as well. The 2.6 model came out awhile after the 2.2 & 2.4 SR models did.
 
I bought my MBP in November 2007 but it has the 2.4 with the 667MHz FSB. I forget the name of that particular line of C2D.

I haven't had any failures yet but my laptop isn't used like a desktop. Just wondering if this 2.4 vs 2.2 talk applies to a late 2007 2.4 also.

I think the question here is about whether or not the Penryn MBP's have the same failure rate as the ones using the earlier chips. Since you bought yours in late 2007 it's not a Penryn. The 2.4 Penryn became the default machine in Feb/March 2008 and that's the one he's talking about.
 
I bought my MBP in November 2007 but it has the 2.4 with the 667MHz FSB. I forget the name of that particular line of C2D.

I haven't had any failures yet but my laptop isn't used like a desktop. Just wondering if this 2.4 vs 2.2 talk applies to a late 2007 2.4 also.

My 17" was a late 2007 (august 2007 update release, 2.4 santa rosa) everything was great.... until late march when a whole slew of issues cropped up... first the battery, then the gpu, then they had to replace the topcase because they put it on loose, then the trackpad button died... but, thanks to applecare it was all covered, except the trackpad button, they decided to just replace it with a new unibody 2.6 17" yay! just in time for my birthday in two weeks...:D:D

so getting back to the question/statement yes late 2007 are effected
 
I think the question here is about whether or not the Penryn MBP's have the same failure rate as the ones using the earlier chips. Since you bought yours in late 2007 it's not a Penryn. The 2.4 Penryn became the default machine in Feb/March 2008 and that's the one he's talking about.

I think that there's an average length of time the Nvidia graphics chip lasts before giving up. We've reached that point for the 2007 model Macbook Pros. It's probably too soon for the 2008 Penryn Macbook Pros, given time they'll likely fail in similar numbers.

For those wishing to shorten the lives of their laptop, simply run an intensive 3D screensaver and open and close the lid of your Macbook Pro frequently so that it cycles between on and off states. This will accelerate the deterioration of the graphics chip. The Arabesque screensaver artifacts with my Macbook Pro so it's probably a good one to use!
 
I think that there's an average length of time the Nvidia graphics chip lasts before giving up. We've reached that point for the 2007 model Macbook Pros. It's probably too soon for the 2008 Penryn Macbook Pros, given time they'll likely fail in similar numbers.

For those wishing to shorten the lives of their laptop, simply run an intensive 3D screensaver and open and close the lid of your Macbook Pro frequently so that it cycles between on and off states. This will accelerate the deterioration of the graphics chip. The Arabesque screensaver artifacts with my Macbook Pro so it's probably a good one to use!

I've been gaming a lot, but I rev the fans up to 6000 rpm to keep the heat down.

I should probably lower the fan speed and play Crysis move often.
 
I think that there's an average length of time the Nvidia graphics chip lasts before giving up. We've reached that point for the 2007 model Macbook Pros. It's probably too soon for the 2008 Penryn Macbook Pros, given time they'll likely fail in similar numbers.

For those wishing to shorten the lives of their laptop, simply run an intensive 3D screensaver and open and close the lid of your Macbook Pro frequently so that it cycles between on and off states. This will accelerate the deterioration of the graphics chip. The Arabesque screensaver artifacts with my Macbook Pro so it's probably a good one to use!

I disagree.

I have been running my 2.4 Ghz MBP Classic almost continuously since October 2008. I have it help out with the SETI project by donating my CPU time. It has a really high graphics load screen saver that I keep on as well. I doubt most MBP's get this much use. I've had absolutely no problems at all!

by the way, if you want to donate your spare CPU time to help find real life Vulcans, you can join here:

http://boinc.berkeley.edu/download.php

it's really cool, I'm currently analyzing a signal from the arecibo radio telescope from arecibo, puerto rico, which I can see from google earth!
 

Attachments

  • Picture 1.png
    Picture 1.png
    345.6 KB · Views: 70
My 2.4GHz SR MBP had its display go black, and Apple replaced the logic board (under AppleCare). So that's one 2.4 that failed.
 
Here's my question, which I continue to be mis-informed or am not understanding:

I have a June '08 MBP 2.5 Penryn 8600m GT 512MB. I just bought AppleCare on it, as I always get AC for my laptops. From what I've read, the Apple agreement on replacing the faulty graphics chips only lasts two years from manufacture date, correct? So, the third year of my AppleCare will not cover graphic chip failures? Then what? I mean, I'm being positive about the whole situation and I don't think mine will crap out. I'm not worrying about it. But I would like to know what my options will be should this happen.
 
Here's my question, which I continue to be mis-informed or am not understanding:

I have a June '08 MBP 2.5 Penryn 8600m GT 512MB. I just bought AppleCare on it, as I always get AC for my laptops. From what I've read, the Apple agreement on replacing the faulty graphics chips only lasts two years from manufacture date, correct? So, the third year of my AppleCare will not cover graphic chip failures? Then what? I mean, I'm being positive about the whole situation and I don't think mine will crap out. I'm not worrying about it. But I would like to know what my options will be should this happen.

The two year thing is for people without Apple Care. You get a full three years on the full computer.
 
I disagree.

I have been running my 2.4 Ghz MBP Classic almost continuously since October 2008. I have it help out with the SETI project by donating my CPU time. It has a really high graphics load screen saver that I keep on as well. I doubt most MBP's get this much use. I've had absolutely no problems at all!

It's not a matter of disagreeing. The fact of the matter is that repeatedly heating up and cooling down the GPU will accelerate it's failure due to the nature of the manufacturing defect.
 
It's not a matter of disagreeing. The fact of the matter is that repeatedly heating up and cooling down the GPU will accelerate it's failure due to the nature of the manufacturing defect.

If there was any defect with my GPU, it would have showed up by now.
 
My 2.4GHz SR MBP had its display go black, and Apple replaced the logic board (under AppleCare). So that's one 2.4 that failed.

Yes, but the question is not about failure rates of the 2.4 in general, but of the 2.4 Penryn. The question is does the Penryn chip affect the failure rate at all, or is it simply that the Penryn's are not old enough to begin failing en masse.
 
My June 2007 2.4 Santa Rosa failed two days ago. The display just decided not to show video after turning it on and no video issues leading up to it.

I don't have Apple Care on the machine and if this problem occurred two weeks from now, the repair bill would have been $1400 CAD so I guess I'm quite happy to have it fail now rather that later.
 
Yes, but the question is not about failure rates of the 2.4 in general, but of the 2.4 Penryn. The question is does the Penryn chip affect the failure rate at all, or is it simply that the Penryn's are not old enough to begin failing en masse.
My Penryn 2.4 was purchased in November 08, build date last week of September 08... it failed in early January. Second logic board is going strong (knocks on wood), but I'm definitely buying Applecare. Does that help answer your question?
 
My Penryn 2.4 was purchased in November 08, build date last week of September 08... it failed in early January. Second logic board is going strong (knocks on wood), but I'm definitely buying Applecare. Does that help answer your question?

That throws a wrench into the theories!

Face it, we're all in a crapshoot at this point. That's why I say don't stress over it. Unless you want to take action now by selling your machine on eBay and getting a Uni or whatever else.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.