Today, in an apparent response to a class action lawsuit, Apple rolled out a new free repair extension program for select MacBook Pro users suffering from serious graphical issues.
The lawsuit alleges that the new models Apple introduced in 2011 were supposed to have improved graphical performance that was three times faster than previous generations. However, according to the lawsuit, "What Apple did not disclose was that achieving these graphical feats caused the laptops to run so hot that the solder attached to the laptops' high-powered graphics processor would deform and crack, causing graphical anomalies and, eventually, total system failure."
The affected models include 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro laptops manufactured in 2011, and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina models manufactured from mid-2012 to early 2013. Symptoms include distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen, no video on the computer screen or external display, or unexpected shut downs and restarts.
Apple's new service offers to repair affected MacBook Pro systems free of charge, and it even offers to reimburse users who may have already paid for such a repair. Apple offers a mail-in service as well as an option to carry in your defective product to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for service.
Such a move may help cool down anyone who's been burned by this hot button issue.
Users with affected models of MacBook Pro laptops can find more information here.
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