MacBook Pro 2011 Broken Logic Board

jpv on 26/08/2014 - 19:33

My girlfriend bought her MacBook Pro early 2011 and it was working fine until a couple days ago. Her MacBook would load up to a blue screen with black stripes. I tried looking into it and, at first, I thought it was a bootloader problem. Further inspection through Google lead me to believe that it was something to do with her GPU.

I went to the Genius Bar and they said that it was the Logic Board that was the problem and it would cost $700+ to repair. I said that it quite a coincidence that this happened a few months after her Apple Care had expired. I said that it is a known solution with early 2011 MacBook Pros but the 'genius' said that it was from wear and tear and there was nothing they could do about it besides replacing it.

Should I go through the trouble of contacting the ACCC about this issue? If my girlfriend knew that it was only going to last 3 years, she wouldn't have bought it.

tl;dr
Bought Macbook early 2011
Logic board died
Cost $700+ to repair
ACCC or not?

Computing Apple Computer Laptop

Comments

  • ozhunter on 26/08/2014 - 19:51

    If my girlfriend knew that it was only going to last 3 years, she wouldn't have bought it.

    I'm wondering what will be your next laptop.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2014 - 09:51
      +2

      One would think it is reasonable to believe a product would last more then 3 years without dying.

      Assuming no misuse, 3 years is not that long of a time. My laptop is also a 2011 model and there is nothing wrong at all. My mothers laptop is from 2006 and it is still okay, did have to replace the HDD though.

      Sucks for the OPs Gf :(

      • ozhunter on 27/08/2014 - 13:29

        One would think it is reasonable to believe a product would last more then 3 years without dying.

        Depends who you ask. ATO's effective life on laptops are 3 years.

        Some people think televisions should last 10 years.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2014 - 14:08

          Depends who you ask. ATO's effective life on laptops are 3 years.

          Honestly, I wouldn't use them as a point of reference for technology lol.

  • p1 ama on 26/08/2014 - 19:52
    +1

    Should I go through the trouble of contacting the ACCC about this issue?

    No, it's actually out of warranty and there's nothing you can do.

  • noyesmaybeok on 26/08/2014 - 20:07

    If it makes you feel any better, I have a 2011 that runs a treat.
    Probably not, anyway the point is your milage will vary. There's people with 20 year old cars that haven't had an issue yet people with new cars that are constantly breaking down. Luck of the draw.

  • RockyRaccoon on 26/08/2014 - 20:10

    If my girlfriend knew that it was only going to last 3 years, she wouldn't have bought it.

    Ah! hindsight is a wonderful thing.

    Its actually irrelevant, the Warranty WAS 1 year (yes they now allow 2 years), you bought 2 years Apple care, its still out of warranty.

    I dont buy things expecting they will die before I am finished with it, but things do happen. I bought two items recently that died within 2 days, yes I had warranty but I still had to return it.

    I never bought it EXPECTING that to happen, and yes if I KNEW it would I wouldnt have bought it, even though they were repaired/replaced.

    BUT that all said, try calling the Apple service hotline, its a free call and you might get a different opinion, nothing ventured etc…

    • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2014 - 09:54

      Serious question: Shouldn't Apple Care be applied as an extra to the standard warranty required for all electronics sold in Australia? Meaning it should have 4 years warranty period?

      I've never looked into that but it would be seem reasonable for it to be the case given that you are paying for additional warranty on top of the standard required warranty not replacing your warranty.

  • ShamelessBargains on 26/08/2014 - 21:18

    Hmm that's a lot for a logic board. I suggest taking the back cover off and giving it a bit of a clean. If it still fails to work and you can't get a new one from apple for free, then I would consider flogging it on ebay or gumtree for spare parts. Don't hear of many MacBooks having problems after only 3 years but I guess it's the luck of the draw. Good luck too!

  • hj0809 on 26/08/2014 - 21:54

    Email Tim Cook. (serious)

    They will get a higher up customer rep who can exercise more authority over denied repairs

    Or you can try the oven trick.

    • noyesmaybeok on 27/08/2014 - 13:47

      It's 3 years old. It's a different scenario if a huge % are failing (xbox red ring of death etc) and there's a design flaw. When it's a reasonable failure rate for an old product, it's just luck of the draw.

      • hj0809 on 27/08/2014 - 20:12
        +1

        I would expect a computer around 1500+ to last more than 3 years.

        • noyesmaybeok on 28/08/2014 - 15:22
          +1

          Your expectations are too high.

          It's like paying a painter 2x what everyone else's charges and expecting it to last longer. You're paying extra for the form factor, the aluminium vs plastic, the Operating System; not the fact the same mechanical components will somehow last longer.

        • mrmarkau67 on 28/08/2014 - 17:09

          @rochow:

          Apples (and other laptops with metal cases) usually last longer than 3 years. I think this person was very unlucky or there was a fault. If you paid more than $2000, you should try that argument.

          If Apple won't listen, one of your other options is to get a replacement board from eBay fitted by a local repairer. Use someone with references, but it should be cheaper than Apple.

        • noyesmaybeok on 28/08/2014 - 17:51

          @mrmarkau67:

          Why are there 30, 50, even $100k+ cars that only come with a 3 year warranty then?

          It doesn't matter what they usually last. They are the EXACT SAME components underneath as any other computer, as such there are no special "oh well your Dell can break in 1 yr, but it's Apple so magically their components will last forever and a day". Processor from Intel. RAM from Toshiba. Hard drive from Samsung. Screen from LG. So on, so forth…

          Whether you pay $100 or $100,000,000,000 for your i3 processor in no way, shape or form includes a form of different warranty. The components are the exact same and come with the exact same warranty. Did the aluminium case break? The OS? The goodwill, the tight eco-system - the parts that actually being paid for vs the others from Apple? That is why people pay more for high end laptops. In NO WAY does that mean the components that are common across all computers come with some magical warranty to last 4x longer because you paid 4x as much.

        • hj0809 on 28/08/2014 - 21:04

          @rochow: Yes they use the same parts but given their high profit margin I'd expect they should be more accommodating. There are two sides to the argument really.

        • alittlelewd on 28/08/2014 - 21:12

          @hj0809:

          Their higher profit margins allow them to open stores, have more staff, pay for more advertising and so on. When the internals are just the same as a $1k Asus then you should expect the same performance and reliability.

          It's not an argument to say because they are more expensive that they should have a better warranty, don't pay for it if you aren't willing to accept that 3 years warranty means 3 years warranty.

        • mrmarkau67 on 02/09/2014 - 17:36

          @rochow:

          Australian statutory warranty depends on what a reasonable person would expect. Its not the same as the manufacturer 1 or 3 year express warranty.

          The sum of a PC is more than its parts - especially in the land of laptops.

          When I buy a $2000 laptop, it may have the same i7, RAM and hard drive as a $699 plastic fantastic. But I expect it be better engineered, with a case that better withstands daily abuse and very well thought out ventilation - so those delicate, standardised parts have a better chance of lasting 3-5 years.

          And that's my experience too. High end metal cased Dells (Precision and Latitude) outlast low end Dells (Vostro and Inspiron) because they are better built and better engineered.

          If the OP had complained about a $2000 Dell Precision or Lenovo T series dying after 3.1 years, I would have made the same comment. If they complained their $699 Dell Inspiron or Lenovo G series I would have shrugged "C'est la vie"

  • BadHorse on 27/08/2014 - 12:57
    +1

    Globally Apple only has a one year warranty on their products. In Australia they comply with ACCC law regarding electronic device which is 'for a reasonable period of time', which is three years. After that you may not have a leg to stand-on.

    If it was within the three years, you would have no issue. Outside of that unfortunately you might not have much chance.

    Good luck OP

    • mrmarkau67 on 27/08/2014 - 14:09

      Three years is not a hard and fast rule is it?

      • BadHorse on 28/08/2014 - 13:13

        From my understanding it isn't but the law does say they have to go above and beyond that so it's up to them to make that decision.

        According to my friends who have been in similar situation they haven't had much luck after 3 year :(

  • jpv on 28/08/2014 - 01:24

    Thanks for the suggestions. I tried cleaning it out already. First thing I did. I suggested the oven trick but my girlfriend isn't into Apple pies.

    She paid over $2000 for the laptop. The laptop was used for uni assignments, watching videos and Skype. So I don't think it would've been under too much pressure.

    I guess the best thing to do is save up some money and wait for a sale.

    • p1 ama on 28/08/2014 - 09:45

      Also, as a rule of thumb, if you're using a laptop for uni assignments, watching videos and skype, you do not need a $2000 laptop.

      Perhaps something around $1000 would suffice, wait around for a sale and you can grab a MacBook Air 13" (if she wants a Macbook again) for slightly less than $1000, so around $940 or something. You can also try Apple refurbished or student pricing if you're not too keen on waiting.

      • BadHorse on 28/08/2014 - 13:14

        Great point, I have a 13" MBA and it has been good enough for everything that I use it for (web browsing, watching tv shows, some basic illustrator work, excel work and running a virtual machine occasionally).
        Obviously not all at once!

        • noyesmaybeok on 28/08/2014 - 15:24

          Why not? I'm often working while using virtual machines along with Photoshop open, no slowdowns at all.

    • mrmarkau67 on 28/08/2014 - 17:11
      +1

      As above, you may be able to source second hand parts for a cheaper repair. Or you can get a surprising amount of cash for a broken Mac on Ebay (others may want yours for its good screen or keyboard).

  • The_Jackal on 28/08/2014 - 18:45

    There is a known fault with certain 2011 gpus, but they are only replaced off you ask them to run the special test and the test verifies it, which it often doesn't. One suggestion was to take it to a 3rd party authorised repairer as they want to get paid by Apple and have more flexible criteria to allow out of warranty claims. YMMV.

    [Edit] I sold my broken 2011 unit for an ok price… which broke a few months out of warranty with the gpu defect.

  • alittlelewd on 28/08/2014 - 19:53

    It's a huge issue with the 2011 MBP+iMac GPUs that Apple will be forced to repair/replace all defective models. They are yet to announce it, but it's going to either be that or a massive class action law suit against them which you would be able to get in on.

    That is provided you have a 2011 MBP and not a 2010 MBP that was purchased in 2011.

    http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/08/12/apple-ignores-call…

  • sn00ze on 28/08/2014 - 21:19

    Like all consumer electronics - built to sell, not to last - another issue I'd have with this scenario is why's a whole new logic board required when it's most likely a $2 component thats burnt out on the board…

  • jpv on 28/08/2014 - 22:25

    Hi Guys,

    Just an update. I did what hj0809 said and emailed Tim Cook. I received an email this morning from an Apple Customer Service representative asking for my phone number and the best time to talk. I did further research and found out this person actually worked for Apple.

    I'll keep you guys updated on what happens next.

    • hj0809 on 29/08/2014 - 04:11

      Definitely let them know of any pending case actions etc, the iMac issue (MBP and iMac are not all that dissimilar). Bullshit and sweettalk and don't take no for an answer. Good luck.

  • jpv on 01/09/2014 - 18:53

    Someone from Apple Care contacted me and I was able to open a case. Not sure what they can do about it but pretty happy about their customer service. The rep said everything you guys said about the stat warranty but I'm just happy that someone contacted me about the case.

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