Apple Opens Free Repair Program To Fix Defective Graphics On 2011-2013 MacBook Pros
Apple has launched a new repair program that extends warranty coverage for half a dozen different MacBook Pro models manufactured from early 2011 to early 2013. As part of the "MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues," Apple will repair affected models suffering from a range of graphics issues, or reimburse owners who already paid for repairs.
Affected models include 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro laptops manufactured in 2011 and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina notebooks made from mid-2012 to early 2013. An affected model may suffer from one or more symptoms that include distorted or scrambled video on the MacBook Pro's display, no video at all on the laptop or external display, and unexpected restarts.
These longstanding issues led to a class action lawsuit against Apple. According to the lawsuit, the new models Apple introduced in 2011 were supposed to have improved graphical performance that was three times faster than their predecessor.
"What Apple did not disclose was that achieving these graphical feats caused the laptops to run so hot that the solder attached to the laptops' high powered graphics processor would deform and crack, causing graphical anomalies and, eventually, total system failure," the lawsuit states (PDF).
On the page announcing the new repair program, Apple says a "small percentage of MacBook Pro systems may exhibit distorted video, no video, or unexpected system restarts." Affected models were sold between February 2011 and December 2013.
If you have an affected model, you can find more details about the program here.
Affected models include 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro laptops manufactured in 2011 and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina notebooks made from mid-2012 to early 2013. An affected model may suffer from one or more symptoms that include distorted or scrambled video on the MacBook Pro's display, no video at all on the laptop or external display, and unexpected restarts.
These longstanding issues led to a class action lawsuit against Apple. According to the lawsuit, the new models Apple introduced in 2011 were supposed to have improved graphical performance that was three times faster than their predecessor.
"What Apple did not disclose was that achieving these graphical feats caused the laptops to run so hot that the solder attached to the laptops' high powered graphics processor would deform and crack, causing graphical anomalies and, eventually, total system failure," the lawsuit states (PDF).
On the page announcing the new repair program, Apple says a "small percentage of MacBook Pro systems may exhibit distorted video, no video, or unexpected system restarts." Affected models were sold between February 2011 and December 2013.
If you have an affected model, you can find more details about the program here.
