I had this model, and the graphic issues started to appear during the last summer. After having acknowledged the situation [1] (Apple doesn’t officially admit there is a problem, and chances are that I will have to pay for a new logic board since I am out of warranty), I went to an Apple Store in the UK for a diagnostic.
I was about to pay for the new logic board, and the person confirmed to me that in case of a recall happening in the future, I would be refunded by Apple. Nice surprise when he asked me where I bought it: since I ordered it on the Apple website, even if it was on the french Apple Store website, they proposed me to replace it using the UK warranty, which is 6 years (!) instead of 1 year in France [2] (I didn’t take the Apple Care).
A few hours after having my computer back, the exact same graphic issues started again. I went back to the Apple Store, and they changed it again. Everything was working fine…
Until two months later, when the sound chip just died: no errors in OS X, but no sound at all (from speakers, microphone or jack plug). I went back to the Apple Store, and they changed the logic board again (it wasn’t a problem because all replacements are covered by warranty).
A few days later, the graphic issues started again. I went back to the Apple Store. Since they changed the logic board three times already, they proposed me to replace the MBP by a brand new one: the latest and high-end model (since they have to replace it with an equivalent), and I even received an external drive since the new models don’t have one, and despite having said that I don’t need it.
I think I have been really lucky: I just wanted to repair it so I could sell it and buy a new model. I ended up with the latest model without paying anything except a few hours spent at the Apple Store.
Lessons learned:
- Buy your Apple computer from Apple if you can.
- You have a 6 years warranty in the UK.
[1] http://www.mbp2011.com/
[2] http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/
Edit: the legal warranty is 2 years in France, not 1 year.
I was about to pay for the new logic board, and the person confirmed to me that in case of a recall happening in the future, I would be refunded by Apple. Nice surprise when he asked me where I bought it: since I ordered it on the Apple website, even if it was on the french Apple Store website, they proposed me to replace it using the UK warranty, which is 6 years (!) instead of 1 year in France [2] (I didn’t take the Apple Care).
A few hours after having my computer back, the exact same graphic issues started again. I went back to the Apple Store, and they changed it again. Everything was working fine…
Until two months later, when the sound chip just died: no errors in OS X, but no sound at all (from speakers, microphone or jack plug). I went back to the Apple Store, and they changed the logic board again (it wasn’t a problem because all replacements are covered by warranty).
A few days later, the graphic issues started again. I went back to the Apple Store. Since they changed the logic board three times already, they proposed me to replace the MBP by a brand new one: the latest and high-end model (since they have to replace it with an equivalent), and I even received an external drive since the new models don’t have one, and despite having said that I don’t need it.
I think I have been really lucky: I just wanted to repair it so I could sell it and buy a new model. I ended up with the latest model without paying anything except a few hours spent at the Apple Store.
Lessons learned:
- Buy your Apple computer from Apple if you can.
- You have a 6 years warranty in the UK.
[1] http://www.mbp2011.com/
[2] http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/
Edit: the legal warranty is 2 years in France, not 1 year.