Apple extends MacBook Pro warranty to cover nVidia chip failures
Although the mothership hasn’t directly confessed as to why it’s extending pro portable warranties, few doubt that a longstanding issue with the 8400M and 8600M graphics processors is the reason.
Does your MacBook Pro (MBP) have a bad case of the bumps? Chances are you won’t know until it fails, though owners of last-generation pro portables are getting an additional year of warranty to work things out if they do.
AppleInsider reports that the mothership has quietly added an extra year to its coverage, giving owners of nVidia 8400M and 8600M equipped MacBook Pros experiencing video corruption and failure issues free replacements as late as September 2011 depending on the date of purchase. AppleInsider reports:
The issue is believed to be an inherent defect in all GeForce 8400M and 8600M graphics processors based on NVIDIA’s choice of non-eutectic (varied melting point) contact material in the graphics chips. As the cores regularly hit a temperature that damages the contacts between the chip dies and the package they rest in, the parts are gradually worn down to where contacts break and produce either obvious visual glitches or no visuals at all.
Concerned that you are at risk? Then have your MBP’s serial number handy when you call AppleCare (800-275-2273) to inquire about getting a replacement (ie don’t wait until your Mac fails at three years plus one day).
That said, owners of current generation MacBook Pro models—15 inch was introduced October 2008 and 17 inch finally rolled in January of this year—might want to ring AppleCare, as well. Why? Although nVidia denies it, as Blorge reported in December of last year, independent third-party tests show that the 9600M used in currently shipping Apple pro portables use the same materials found in the 84/8600 M and also suffer from bad bumps.
Let’s hope Apple keeps earning our trust, not to mention those industry-leading customer service scores, and takes care of these issues…
What’s your take?
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June 1st, 2009
Sources?
June 2nd, 2009
Where is the having superior quality by having control of a closed system?
Only Apple users think needing to extend a warranty because of low quality components is fantastic. Why consumer satisfaction ratings mean so little from Macheads.
February 23rd, 2010
I have a macbook and the warranty expired a couple of years ago, dont know if I can renew a warranty?
February 23rd, 2010
Once the warranty has expired, you can’t re-up.