Apple to repair MacBooks with faulty Nvidia GPUs

An investigation by Apple shows some MacBook Pros may have faulty Nvidia graphics processors after all, despite Nvidia's earlier assurances to the contrary, the computer maker has announced.

Apple said it will repair at no charge MacBook Pros where the Nvidia GPU has failed, or fails within two years from the purchase date. Problem signs include distorted or scrambled video, or no video on the screen though the computer is turned on. Models that might be affected are 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros with Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors. The computers were made between May 2007 and September 2008.

Apple says some models of MacBook Pros may be affected by an Nvidia graphics chip glitch.

(Credit: Apple )

This past summer, Nvidia acknowledged that a packaging defect had led to a graphics chip problem that affected some notebook computers, including those made by Dell and Hewlett-Packard. The chipmaker said in July it was taking a one-time charge of $150 million to $200 million to cover expenses relating to the glitch.

In a post about the problem, Apple said that back in July "Nvidia assured Apple that Mac computers with these graphics processors were not affected." But the computer maker's own investigation showed some models might be affected.

Nvidia's director of PR and events, Derek Perez, told MacWorld on Friday the company "has worked diligently with Apple." According to Perez:

"Our analysis shows that a failure in an Apple MacBook Pro notebook is remote. However, Apple, like other OEMs, decides on their own how to handle their warranty and repair programs, based upon their own quality standards. Regardless, we stand by our products, thus the reason why we set aside such a large reserve, and we have and will continue to work closely with Apple and their customers."

[avitous]

This is uncool. (sic)

I bought a Mac Book Pro 17" in May, and after installing Windows Boot Camp any of my favorite games (Supreme Commander) would drive GPU temps to 80+ C; on one occasion the keyboard became so hot (too hot to touch, really) I freaked, shut down the game, booted back into OSX and could not lot in - keyboard was constantly repeating. I had to shut down and let it cool off for an hour, after which it booted OSX fine.

I've simply had to avoid playing any games at all, as the GPU simply runs too hot on this platform. I've read elsewhere that this issue is heat-related as well, and NVidia is releasing a driver update to address that:
http://gizmodo.com/5021713/lots-of-nvidia-laptop-graphics-cards-are-overheating-dying

I already use smbfancontrol but that only lets me adjust CPU fan speeds, not GPU that I can see.

I don't want a repair-if-broken, Apple, I want a recall and a replacement! For a $4K laptop, I expect better.

[3rdalbum]

avitous: I sympathise with you that your laptop is getting hot, but laptops are *really* not gaming platforms. GPUs generate a lot of heat and laptop computers don't have many ways to disperse the heat. Also because of heat and battery life considerations, these machines (even the Macbook Pro) don't have anywhere near the horsepower of even cheap desktop computers.

In short, it doesn't surprise me that a notebook would get really hot when running your CPU and GPU at 100% of capacity when there's not very much room for heat to disperse. I'm usually one of Apple's harshest critics, but I don't think there's anything especially wrong with this computer. A laptop cooling pad with fans will probably help you.

[outpostprime]

Avitous I'd like to point something to you. All GPU's reach 80+c. This is normal. As a matter of fact that is actually low for a GPU at load for Nvidia. I don't use Mac's (despise them really). But as a PC gamer I can assure you that 80c is normal. GPUs are designed to take temps up to 110c. Nvidia GPU's are notorious for high temps and bugs as they're built for brute force rather then gracefulness.
This is why I stick to AMD/Ati. Their CPUs, GPUs, and Chipsets almost never fail. I had a Phenom 9600BE and always ran it without the TLB fix. That bug only affected virtualization anyhow. I'd rather have a chip designed to be graceful then a power hungry behemoth stumping about trying to kill a fly. This is just my personal opinion.
Can't wait for Deneb and AMD 800 series chipsets :D. ^ I have a 4-way crossfire 4870 1GB, Phenom 9950BE, AMD 790FX/SB600 motherboard, 4GB PC28500, 15k Fujitsu SAS/SCSI @ Raid0, and Vista Home premium x64 setup. Thing never crashes and I play everything at max res/settings :P. You mac guys can have Nvidia. PC gamers are looking forward to Larrabee and Fusion.

[Vegaman_Dan]

FYI: There is no 'fix' for this. It's a problem with the chipset. Unless Apple is going to produce an entirely new system board with a different chipset just to address this issue, then it is far more likely they will simply replace the affected system with a new board which will hopefully last long enough for the warranty to expire.

This is pretty standard practice in the industry. Just replace the parts for those who complain until the warranty is up and then ignore the problem as being expired.

[jigmeg]

Yeah! Apple is doing the right thing, finally. I had the logic board replaced once under warranty, and when out of warranty by 3 days, the chip fried again! but it's been put back in the system after being rejected just two weeks ago...we will see now!

On the problem, as i have boo-koo experience, keeping ur laptop cooler will not help. If the chips gunna fail it will, under light to normal use with or without SMC control with or without game play.

i don't know about the driver update...I doubt that works in OSx...but good luck.

[Thomas, David]

I see two complaints, and two praises for Apple so far. According to the article, NVIDIA, and Apple, the chips were damaged by a packaging process at NVIDIA. Apple is offering to repair the computers for free. I find this highly commendable, and I am left puzzled by the suspicions and condemnations of the two comments complaining about Apple.

[rapier1]

Umm... So apple offering to repair the computers for free is somehow notable? They released a defective device (even if it caused by a faulty subcomponent Apple is still the integrator and therefore responsible), seems to me fixing it would be the expected course of action rather than something praiseworthy.

[your_it]

nvidia has same set of problems with 6,7 and 8 series chipsets.. so many customers in dark and many give up thinking they might have done something to laptops..

http://forums12.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=1274587

[Kissmyne]

The issue isn't specific to a chipset design by the manufacturer or the vendor, the materials to craft a certain number of these motherboards was not up to par and did not deal with the heat as they were designed to do. To say that the same part was being used to replace the defective one is an incorrect assumption now. Also I can't speak for all manufacturers beyond the one I work for(Dell). I do also recommend getting the latest BIOS updates whether or not you have this problem or GPU line. Not for the "bandaid" effect, but for the benefits of removed bugs, and more then likely an UPDATED cooling profile(which for the record does not simply blast your fan). And yes I'm aware of the fact that I am saying this on an Apple topic. Those of you that have convinced yourself that this is unfixable, its not, however I am not here to dispute with you, nor is that worth my time. Kudos to Apple for delving into this issue and responding in a commendable fashion.

[Christopher Justice]

This happened to me. The heart of my issue was simply a black screen, no video. Everything worked fine but the GPU was dead and was detected as a GMA x3100. I could remote into the laptop just fine.

Mine was a Macbook Pro, 17inch, Hi-Res manufactured in June 2008. Not only did it happen once and had to be repaired twice within 30 days. Same issue. They fixed it again and so far it's working fine. The repair timeline was 3 days so I commend Apple for that.

[Penguinisto]

@ Dan: Err, what? Given the existence of AppleCare and its near-eternal renewability, there is no such thing as "hopefully (...) until the warranty expires". Taht could be anything from the complimentary first year, up to seven-plus years later.

IOW, Apple doesn't work like that, homeboy.

@ Anne: Welcome to Portland. Buy an Umbrella. :)

@ Thomas, David: Agreed, though in fairness, Like any other OEM, Apple owns any problems that arise w/ the hardware. Unlike other OEM's Apple owns the software too, which avoids the stupid finger-pointing@ Microsoft that you sometimes see w/ Dell and HP.

@ "jigmeg" - print a copy of this story, and take it (and your laptop) to the nearest Apple Store. If your vidcard chip is one of those listed, it'll very likely be taken care of. Also, I know for fact that Apple calls about a month or two before the warranty expires to offer you a chance to extend that warranty (which is a nose-to-tail warranty and covers pretty much everything)... I take it that you rejected that offer?

/P

[Vegaman_Dan]

Penguinisto wrote:

"IOW, Apple doesn't work like that, homeboy."

Appleinsider, slashdot, and even Apple's own forums are full of people that would disagree with that sentiment. Now if your warranty expires, then it's gone. If you keep it renewed forever, then yes, you could expect them to replace it. But that really does place you at hostage with the OEM doesn't it? Why should you have to keep paying the OEM to honor the warranty? That simply doesn't make very good business sense at all.

IOW, Apple DOES work that way, Mr. Pengsuinisto. You are only fooling yourself if you believe anything else.

Sounds like Apple has found a sucker if you fall for that old scam.

[Penguinisto]

AppleCare operates like this: the first year covers pretty much everything (and costs nothing), and you can buy 3-year extensions to that for as many times as you like. Since a typical Mac will happily operate just fine and remain a relevant product for 5-8 years, this makes perfect sense.

If you don't understand that concept, then maybe you should stay at the help desk... because Dell and HP do the exact same thing for their server products.

[t26l]

For what AppleCare costs, you could just as easily refrain from buying it and a renewal, and get a new computer. Plus, you won't shell out hundreds of dollars so Apple support can tell you your pricey AppleCare plan doesn't cover your problem when the hardware eventually breaks.

[rapier1]

Extended Warranty? How can I lose!?
-H. Simpson

[edrin2005]

I have a Macbook Pro with nVidia 8600 gt 128 VRAM . I don't know if it s a gpu problem but only this notebook freeze random in small application like safari or finder or mail (I have dell and asus too with windows and linux who never freeze) .

[macuser68]

FYI, Apple claims they will cover this defect for an additional year beyond the warranty period, but if you take it to the Apple Store and their test software doesn't see the 8600M GT (which it won't if your video hardware totally failed) they will NOT cover the repair. So, if you suspect any problems with your Macbook Pro's 8600 graphics adapter be sure to go into the Apple store promptly to have it evaluated and replaced. Waiting until it fails completely means you WILL be charged for the repair.

If you have suspicions, run the Apple Hardware Test (it was in the stack of discs in the box when you bought your MBP) and get it sorted promptly if there are any problems. Again, I write from painful experience, if you let the Nvidia 8600M GT in your Macbook Pro fail completely, it's likely that Apple will NOT honor their claim of exteneded coverage and will instead charge you for the repair.