Apple pulls MacBook graphics update
A software update meant to fix some issues with graphics on the new MacBooks has been removed by Apple.
(Credit: CNET)Correction, 11:48 a.m. PST: This story misstated when the Apple notebooks were redesigned. It was October 2008.
Apple has withdrawn a software update that was supposed to help MacBook owners deal with graphics issues, but that apparently failed to solve many of the problems.
AppleInsider spotted the disappearance of the update on Wednesday, after Apple had released it on Monday. The Web page that hosted the update has been removed from Apple's site, but a copy was available in Google's cache; missing the pertinent file, of course.
As AppleInsider notes, it's not clear why Apple pulled the update after just two days. It was designed to fix issues with flickering displays raised by some MacBook owners with the use of external monitors over the miniDVI ports on the new MacBooks. A scan of Apple's discussion boards shows that the update didn't seem to fix the problem for everyone and in some cases, made the problem worse.
This issue only affects those with the MacBooks, MacBook Airs or MacBook Pros redesigned in October, and it seems to only be a problem when running the integrated graphics on those machines; Nvidia's discrete graphics don't appear to cause the same problems. A separate issue involving HD video playback on Macs running the older Nvidia GeForce 7300 GT graphics was also contained in this particular update.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
That aside, nVidia are a bit rubbish. My next GPU will be an AMD I think.
After 3 years of using nothing but NVIDIA Chips i just started using ATI and i am quite pleased.
Maybe both companies really are using as many crappy and cheap parts as they can get away with to save money.
Ya think maybe the discovered more CRs and want those fixed before the update goes out?
This is what happens when a company designs for form over function.
@cb3431 and sanenazok: since when has Apple ever charged for patches or fixes? Ever? Please show me a time when they did. Not a software upgrade, but a software or firmware fix. Obviously the bug "fix" didn't fix the problem and Apple rightfully pulled it, but you of course can find a flaw in whatever they do.
@Mergatroid Mania, what computer are you talking about? If you're talking about the Mini, Apple rightfully stated that most people have a lot of keyboards sitting around and the whole appeal of the Mini was that you could use your old keyboard and mouse from your PC (it was geared toward switchers, not first time computer users) and save yourself the money of buying a new one. While I think the Mini is overpriced and underpowered the argument that Apple chooses form over function is ridiculous.
I guess it's just hoping for too much to look for objectivity in the comments section of this (or any) site.
Apple has charged for patches, or do you not remember the five dollars they charged some macbook pro users to use the wireless N capability it shipped with. It's what they do they're a business they will find a way to make money of the consumer one way or the other. I have had some issues with apple and the way they run things, however, I would rather deal with apple because of OSX then have to use Windows as a main operating system.
Yeah, hardware can be bad - even in a Mac - wow.
You do see the NVIDIA name, don't you?
Apple doesn't make the cards.
They make the software, and they've had some challenges with NVIDIA cards - the ATI have been rock-solid.
Tells you where the problems lie, trolls...
Apple is a bit of a hybrid.
Apple tells another company what they need.
The other company designs the part.
Apple tweaks it to be able to work with their computers design.
Apple creates the firmware for about half the components.
Apple assembles the computer and puts osx on it.
Thanks for nothing, Apple.
Why does it always have to be a Mac-versus-PC fanboy festival in these forums? Why can't we just hold vendors to account? Apple owes its customers better service than it's been giving them lately.
The entire industry has had trouble with nVidia in the last three years.
Your troll comment identifies you as one.
I'm just happy to see an Apple fanboy admit Apple can't get a simple NVIDIA graphics chip to work properly when tons of PC video card companies already have. Sure makes those PC video card companies look like they know what they're doing, doesn't it? (not to mention other laptop manufacturers). Poor Apple.
Not a very shrewd move with Macs' hardcore graphics user market - architects, scientists, animated 3D graphics designers, et al - these people traditionally favored their Macs with ATI GPU's. For them, this was probably the last straw following Mr. Jobs' joyful announcement eighteen months ago that Macs will be using Intel CPU's exclusively, starting with the C2D series. Agreed - this highest end market segment for Apple was only a small proportion of the firm's revenues, but it accounted for much of Apple Mac's "face."
It's one thing for an OEM to get into bed with a single CPU provider and a single GPU provider, but the OEM - in this case, Apple - had best know the costs of these decisions.
Two months ago, Nvidia announced with great pride something which end users of laptops have been clamoring for, for years - direct driver and other software updates direct from the Nvidia site. IOW, you don't have to wait six months for your OEM to post the Nvidia updates to the OEM site. While this is great news for laptop end users with Nvidia GPUs, this announcement came as a smack in the face to Nvidia "channel partners" like Apple at the front of the line.
Firms like Apple enjoyed creating a difficult-to-understand mystique about their mobile GPUs - it's good for marketing to beat into end users' heads how clueless they are. But when you have an exclusive supplier relationship with a Nvidia, Apple best understand that what's good for their marketing dept may well not be supported by Nvidia's aggressive committment to their end users. Maybe Apple wants to apologize to AMD/ATI, and release a Spider platform for the updated high-end iMac and Mac Pro systems? The only problem for Apple marketing is that it'd cost too little and deliver quality too high.
I know 60% of mac users will purchase it. 20 to 30% will buy a touch smart laptop and snow leopard will be another vista.
"Those who put the cart before the horse can get bit by the horse"
I always thought that just meant they hadn't read the bloody manual first. :)
for 300$ only to have a Computer thats completely unusable
So I don't think Mac users need your Sympathy
afterall Macs have a high customer satisfaction rate
and Windows 7 isn't going to change n e thing
It may be better than Vista
but it's no where near as good as Leopard
That's funny - coming from a guy that spent how much on Vista only to be replaced by 7?
That's funny.
Well, maybe not. But I hope 7 works better than MooHorn does.
While a family pack of 5 licenses for Leopard is $199.
I see who's smarter now!
Thanks for point us in the right direction you M$ lemming!
"I see who's smarter now!"
Ah, well at least we've confirmed you're not looking in a mirror then. :)
- by Brian February 1, 2009 10:34 AM PST
- Last fall, I applied for a job at Apple retail selling their stuff.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(29 Comments)Day #3 of training I realized that I couldn't sell Apple products -- because I don't believe in the products!
Face it, Apple makes SOME good products, but some others are worthless crap.
Apple does NOT compete in price and every iPod (exception: iPod Touch) does not offer the features you can get CHEAPER from competing companies.
The new Macbooks are not interesting whatsoever.
I feel fortunate to have a black Macbook that "just works", unlike these new generation of Macbooks.
I feel sorry for the sad Apple sales pigeons who are stuck trying to make their monthly sales quotas.
But how can you sell a product that you know is garbage ??
I couldn't.
Sad to say, but Quality Control at Apple has been horrible.
To say otherwise would admit to being a fanboi.