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Comment by engi_nerd | Hacker News Reader

It took 4 years for the GPU in my 2011 MBP to die. Apple still covers GPU repairs on those models (or at least they did in 2015). They refused service on my laptop because I had upgraded the hard drive (to an SSD) and RAM (upgraded to 16 Gigs). I pointed out that the user's manual for the 2011 Macbook Pro specifically says that upgrading these components does not void the warranty for the entire machine, just that Apple will not cover your new HD and RAM (rightfully so).

Apple customer support refused to live up to the text of their manual, even when I read directly from it and requested that they repair the faulty GPU because I had remained within the terms of the manual.

They lost my business.

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I was in a very similar boat to you.

Mine died right (weeks) after my AppleCare ended.

Because a local authorized Apple dealer would fix it without an appointment (vs the local Apple Store), I took mine there.

I did upgrades too, but I always keep my original RAM and HD in case I get a nitpicky tech. I stuffed those in there (with a fresh OS install) when I sent it for repair and had no issue.

A friend of mine who has two of the same models but were not bricked yet - he had mixed experience at the Apple store. For his first one which was glitching badly, the Genius gave him a hard time because it was not glitching at the store (in spite of the repair order not indicating that the issue needed reproducing). They ended up fixing it, but not without causing stress to my friend.

My friend then repaired the second one right before the repair order was ending but did not get a hard time from the Apple Store for that one.

Because I had to choose between spending $500 on replacing a board (I already had replaced mine once under AppleCare - they basically just put a new version of the defective board in, and it started glitching in less than 3 mos) or spending a little more on a new laptop, I opted for the latter. And at that point, I was officially on the path off of OSX.

I would have stuck around if Apple issued the repair order sooner (i.e., before my MBP bricked). Apple historically has had a great reputation for making people whole again. Given how much I spent on my 2011 MBP, I expected better, sooner.

In retrospect, keeping the original components would have been a good idea. In those 4 years I moved 3 times and the original components were lost to the ether somewhere in there.

Still, they should have honored what they promised in their manual. The fact that I even had to break out the manual (via PDF) is an annoyance. The representative's failure to honor that language, even as they readily admitted that yes, that was an official Apple manual, and the manual says I should be covered...but we're not going to cover this repair because we're not going to cover this repair...that was where I lost patience. I left the store and vowed to never buy another Apple product.

While they should have accepted non-stock upgrades (and it is possible you just got a cranky tech), the reason why I keep that old stuff around is that I don't trust them.

I read stories on the Apple Support boards related to repairs on the 2011 MBPs and some people were getting laptops back from Apple with RAM upgrades missing, etc. And because of the Geek Squad horror stories (yes, I know Apple is not the Geek Squad - but better safe than sorry), I'd rather just give them a working HD with no data on it.

-- edit

Having said all of this, you can't swap out parts with the newer macs as easily since they're not as user-serviceable as the 2012 unibodies and earlier.

Had a similar issue with a PowerMac G5. It was the liquid cooled variant, top specced version, paid around $3500 for it in 2004. Just after the 2 year mark, the o-ring failed and leaked coolant onto the logic board, obviously frying it. It was a documented known issue with the first run of G5s (they changed o-ring manufacturers shortly after they started production), and the o-rings were failing and leaking coolant.

Absolutely refused to fix it, wanted $1500 to replace the logic board and the liquid cooling system. I've refused to buy Apple ever since.

Take them to small claims court. It's really easy and they will almost certainly settle rather than fight it.

I was hit by the same GPU issue twice now. Even with the Superdrive removed they replaced the motherboard both times. That is weird.

My sister was in the same situation and shopped around a couple Authorized Repair Centers until one would accept it

That's odd. I also upgraded my 2011 MacBook Pro to an ssd and 16 gigs of ram, and I had my logicbaord replaced under their extended repair program last month. The Apple Store guy even offered to repair it in the store to make sure my modifications weren't altered.

From what I've read related to the 2011 MBP fix on the Apple support boards, your experience at the Apple store can vary significantly from store to store.

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