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Model A1297 Unibody: Early 2009, Mid 2009, Mid 2010, Early 2011 & Late 2011

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Replacing Logic Board from Unibody 15"

Hi -

You may or may not be aware of the failing graphic processors on the Early 2011. Many of the people who are taking it in to the genius bars are being told they can't identiify the problem (although it seems identical to the current iMac recall Radeon GPU failire). As I have found, my 17 is having the same failure pattern as the rest on the forums. When those who bring them in get new boards, the return failure rate is high, leading many on the forums to suggest that Apple is basically "retesting" the cards, finding "nothing" wrong with them, and replacing the older card with a "refurbished" card.

My question is - will the 15" Logic Board fit into the 17"? It would have to be a late 2011 or 2010 model, as the early 2011 on the 15" seem to be having the same issue. You folks probably know best as to whether this is possible. I'm willing to shell out a grand for a new board, but not if its going to fail. Its already heartbreaking that the 17" has failed so soon...

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Please give us the last three figures of your serial number so we know you exact machine and processor and I will do some research on this issue.

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Will do! Thanks...

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Have to go home, of course...

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No you can't swap the logic boards between the 17" with a 15" they are radically different boards.

As to the graphics problems the '11 models could be facing (iMac (27-inch): AMD Radeon 6970M Video Card Replacement Program) and thinking the 17" graphics you have could be the same. While you may have the same manufacture there hasn't been a replacement program offered by Apple that I'm aware of for the 17" models. I should point out some of the 15" models have had their fair share of problems with the NVIDIA GPU's so you're just swapping one possible problem with another.

Basically, your trying to re-engineer your system to avoid the pit falls you perceive here. The GPU is by far the hardest working component when running action games or videos, as such they tend to burn out more frequently due to heat fatigue when used this way.

So how you use the system will effect the GPU's lifeline just like how your car tires wear out. But, you wouldn't blame the car maker for the worn out tires would you? Or expect him to replace them for free if you abused them going over mountain passes or run your car on a race track.

This gets back to the basics on all systems - Making sure the ventilation of the system is not blocked externally with papers and other loos stuff. Making sure you don't have a ton of dust building up on the fans, logic board in general internally, as well as the heat dissipation fins on the heat sinks and have good heat transference between the chip and the heat sink, making sure the thermo paste is good shape & doing its' job.

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Great comment up to here...

"So how you use the system will effect the GPU's lifeline just like how your car tires wear out...."

That's called a "straw man" since, hey, look, its not a car. Is a Powerbook Pro. And its not the car tire equivalent (hard drive) that died, its the cars engine. No purchaser of a Mac should be expected to pry open the back, squeez thermo paste around, and pray that the !@#$ thing keeps working. I've used computers since 1983, used my first laptop in 1987, and still have the two laptops I originally bought, one of which is still going after 15 years. 2 years running Office and Acrobat for writing research is way too short a time for a $2K+ laptop, not when apparently its not a one off issue. Yes, I do blame Apple. Because apparently its not the first time they have done this to unsuspecting customers. But its the last time they do it to me, or to anyone I can let know that they sell junk.

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Dan - couldn't get your link to work, but here's a comment on it http://9to5mac.com/2013/08/16/apple-open...

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Fixed link - Thanks Mayer for pointing it out

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While Apple designs & assembles the system, and in some cases specs the parts functional parameters. Its the supplier who must take the responsibility of any defect in their part (which is why Apple has done recalls). So far you have blamed Apple here, could it be the GPU vendor should be the party you need to blame here? Lastly, many independent reviewers of PC equipment place Apples laptops at the top of the list with durability and performance. In addition many independent customer satisfaction surveys puts Apple ahead of the pack by a good margin so they must be doing something right (FYI - I don't work for Apple and I've never have worked for them in anyway). Lastly, everything needs some level of care & feeding, how often it is needed is very dependent on your usage. Again, I am sorry you had such bad luck here. Maybe it would be best for you to go with a different laptop for awhile Lenovo & Toshiba both make good Windows systems. - I wish you well.

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Brendan will be eternally grateful.
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