HardMac’s Lionel references a long thread on the Apple discussion forums about a problem occurring on the 15 and 17″ models of the 2011 MacBook Pro – in brief, the laptop freezes, preventing any access through the keyboard or trackpad when an heavy workload is launched on the CPU and the AMD GPU, but does not occur while using the integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 chipset.
Lionel says that while it’s too early to make any definitive conclusion, it seems that the freezing is caused by the graphics card due to inertia of the laptop’s cooling fans during the first 20 seconds.
For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/e2Zz22
9To5Mac’s Christian Zibreg also reports that some owners of Apples latest MacBook Pros with Intel’s Sandy Bridge processor and the new Thunderbolt connection are complaining of problems with the machine causing flickering on external displays. Additionally, it seems the notebook is crashing under heavy load for some.
For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/hIpNao
Expect Software Fixes 2011 MacBook Issues
MacFixIt’s Topher Kessler reports that “Apple’s updated line of MacBook Pro systems has encountered a problem profiled on MacRumors and discussed in great length on this Apple Discussion Board thread, where the systems have been locking up when under heavy load. While the machines appear to be running, the input to them seems to be frozen so users cannot do anything, and end up forcing the systems to restart,” and says that Apple representatives have said that they are aware of the issue and are working on a fix, which should come in the form of a software update in the near future.”
In the meantime if you are experiencing problems with these new machines Kessler suggests trying some potential workarounds that you can check out at:
http://cnet.co/hIvcVB
Freezing Apple MacBook Pros – Thermal Grease to Blame?
The Register’s Tony Smith also notes complaints about the latest generation of 15in and 17in MacBook Pros locking up, with many pointing the finger at the machines’ discrete AMD Radeon HD GPUs, but observes that Reg Hardware tested the 2.0GHz, quad-core i7-based MacBook Pro 15in and experienced no such problems, and also that Mac repair specialist iFixit.com noted excessive application of thermal grease – used to thermally couple the CPU and GPU to their respective coolers – in the 15in MacBook Pro, commenting: “time will tell if the gobs of thermal paste applied to the CPU and GPU will cause overheating issues down the road”.
Smith recalls that older MacBook Pros – particularly the first of the line back in 2006 – were criticised for containing excessive amount of thermal grease, and some of them also experienced freeze issues.
For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/eYaTAw
