The part about a Mac with only one GPU working is true, but the part about Windows needing to use both GPUs all the time is not true.
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What could be the Lifespan of 15" rMBP Model with Dedicated Graphics Card ?
- Thread starter augustya
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The part about a Mac with only one GPU working is true, but the part about Windows needing to use both GPUs all the time is not true.
1. By now I feel that there are enough cases of dGPUs that cause logic board failures (or at least malfunctions) that one can make the statement that a dGPU might represent an increased risk for failures. The most well known case is of course the 8600M GT issue, but there have been other cases (e.g. the 6970M on the iMac) and now it seems also the Radeons in the 2011 MBPs are affected.
In comparison, I am not aware of massive failures being caused by faulty Intel CPUs.
2. Yes it might be true that a MBP with both discrete and integrated graphics will continue to work, but there could be severe limitations, e.g. with using external displays or installing Windows through bootcamp (both these things might be impossible).
In the end I still agree that past problems have no influence on the durability of the dGPUs used in current models. But by skipping the dGPU, if one doesn't need it, one can eliminate one potential source of failure.
Okay how about this, let me put it this way. The iGPU in Windows is active at all times, but the dGPU in Windows only activates when needed, but the iGPU is used to drive the display while at the same time, the dGPU renders stuff.
Meanwhile in OS X, a GPU is used to drive a display and render stuff at the same time. Only one GPU can be active at any time.
Conclusion: Both systems still can operate on just the iGPU.
The reason why the Radeons in Sandy Bridge Macs were failing were because of the thermal paste not being applied properly at the time of manufacture. This problem has since been rectified from the Ivy Bridge Macs and onwards.
Ok here it goes again...The Message Loud and Clear don't buy a DGPU Model !!
So you created a thread asking a fake question in order to promote your agenda. Got it.
No, you are just fine buying a model with a dGPU. The whole point of the OP was if a new rMBP could last over 5 years, having the dGPU will help it last. Both GPUs are going to be considered slow in 5+ years, but the iGPU will be really slow.
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Sort of looks it, bit sad really.
Uh ? What the ****** are you talking about?? I have been saying right from the beginning that I do want to buy a DGPU rMBP it is just some comments which are floating around that made me nervous hence I was looking out for a solid logical reason to justify or not justify my buying or not buying the DGPU Model !!
What am I talking about? Well let's see...
Etc. etc. Sure sounds an awful lot like your VAIO had convinced you that "dGPU bad—Hulk SMASH" before you posted.
Wrong, as pointed out below.
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No, you're wrong. yjchua95 was talking about the AMD GPUs in the Sandy Bridge MBPs which came out in 2011. They had an Intel HD 3000 and if the model had a dGPU it was an AMD HD 6490M or 6750M.
You are talking about the Merom and Penryn MBPs released in 2007 and 2008 with Nvidia 8600M GTs.
OK, thanks for the correct info (edited my earlier post). I have a late '08 MBP and that has the 9600M so the 8600 must've stopped being used in early '08.
I knew starting my post with the word "wrong" would come back to bite me.
Just for the record, the three graphics card replacement programs I know of:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5167
I don't want to say much more.
However I want to mention that no computer i ever owned has failed beyond repair. With or without the dGPU, a new MBP will most likely work for many years.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5167
I don't want to say much more.
However I want to mention that no computer i ever owned has failed beyond repair. With or without the dGPU, a new MBP will most likely work for many years.
I have to be very frank !! I am asking this question from the Paranoia the backdrop of that since the Sony Vaio I had with a Dedicated Graphics Card got burnt out after 5 and a half years so will be the rMBP which I rather want it to go on for atleast 7-8 years !! A investment of $2600 is a huge...huge...money to be spent for me !!
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The dGPU will keep the machine useful longer for gaming, but increases the risk of component failure. You lose either way.
Just plan on replacing a machine after 5 years when you buy it. If the GPU doesn't fail, hey, bonus time.
But if Apple ever does something like stop using Intel processors, all the specs in the world won't save you. So again, just plan on replacing it in 5 years, and spec and budget accordingly.
Computers are not like cars. Imagine buying a car, and then having all the roads change every few years and being incompatible with your car, no matter how fast your car is.
Just plan on replacing a machine after 5 years when you buy it. If the GPU doesn't fail, hey, bonus time.
But if Apple ever does something like stop using Intel processors, all the specs in the world won't save you. So again, just plan on replacing it in 5 years, and spec and budget accordingly.
Computers are not like cars. Imagine buying a car, and then having all the roads change every few years and being incompatible with your car, no matter how fast your car is.
Ok...so we are predicting a minimum life of atleast 5 years of the rMBP with a DGPU it could go longer than that but 5 years look almost certain...Longer could be bonus don't rely on it ! Right ?
You do not need to be easy on a dGPU if you get one (use doesn't really affect its life. It is made to be used.).
You also don't need to put so much worry into what happens if your dGPU dies, it doesn't happen that often (and sometimes Apple will fix it for free).
Having a dGPU will make your computer last longer. The computer will still be able to do what you said for over 5+ years.
IF! the dGPU dies it will not kill your computer.
I own the Mid-2010 MBP with dual graphics, which is plagued by the switching issue (restarts). While, for over a year, I kept it running using gfxstatus, I recently wiped the HD for a fresh install of Mavericks and boom it's goes into a boot cycle loop. The minute it logs in, I think the GPU switches and it restarts.
So much for relying on the iGPU.
I now need to figure out a way to boot it without switching and install gfxstatus. I can't even sell this model, vendors know about the issue as well.
I now have the late 2013 rMBP and I opted for the dGPU one
So much for relying on the iGPU.
I now need to figure out a way to boot it without switching and install gfxstatus. I can't even sell this model, vendors know about the issue as well.I now have the late 2013 rMBP and I opted for the dGPU one
I own the Mid-2010 MBP with dual graphics, which is plagued by the switching issue (restarts). While, for over a year, I kept it running using gfxstatus, I recently wiped the HD for a fresh install of Mavericks and boom it's goes into a boot cycle loop. The minute it logs in, I think the GPU switches and it restarts.
So much for relying on the iGPU.
I now have the late 2013 rMBP and I opted for the dGPU one
If you bought this MBP under 3 years ago Apple should fix it for free: http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4088
No, it's not certain. These things are all probability distributions. It's going to be impossible for anyone on these forums to give you any good idea of what those probability distributions look like because all anyone here has access to is anecdotal evidence.
Do you work for Apple by any chance...For whatever I say you try and convince me that my question is wrong...Why are you offended with my questions...Now it is common sense which I jolly well have, that no body here will be able to predict an exact future of any device. But still since it is a discussion community people here ask for guess and personal opinion about a situation. You don't have to very Pragmatic about whatever said here as an opinion.
Once upon a time the majority of the population "knew" the world to be flat. It was, at the time both popular opinion and "known scientific fact" (as defined by scientists/philosophers of the time).
The above poster is correct, you cannot deduce the lifespan probability of an electronic device by asking a subjective, self-selecting community such as this....
The above poster is correct, you cannot deduce the lifespan probability of an electronic device by asking a subjective, self-selecting community such as this....