Katie Marsal
Addressing widespread reports of visual artifacts on the 17-inch MacBook Pro's display, Apple on Wednesday night released a firmware update that it hoped would clear up the issues for its premium notebook.
The problem became particularly evident when new owners at Apple's support forums and elsewhere began noticing visual patterns on their systems, such as off-color "noise" in patches or vertical lines across the entire length of the screen.
From the outset, users only noticed the problems when relying on the dedicated GeForce 9600M graphics chipset and not the integrated 9400M that also comes as part of the computer. It occurs regardless of the application and is sometimes dependent on the intensity of the task, exhibiting symptoms not unlike an overheating graphics chip.
Apple doesn't mention whether heat is the culprit and doesn't mention in its release notes for the firmware update what steps it has taken to fix the issue, which hasn't been detected in every shipping model.
An early example of the unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro's visual errors from the Apple support forums.
AppleInsider readers using the desktop replacement notebooks are encouraged to provide feedback on whether or not the update has eliminated the flaw on their own systems.
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34 Comments
at least apple actually does fix things and sends out updates.
Please fix the 15inch MacBook Pro too!
I have an early 2009 unibody 17 inch. On low brightness, like many other users the display annoyingly flickers, Its as though there is a ceiling fan in the room, and you are seeing a reflection of the shadow. Of course there isn't. To fix, increase brightness (to above medium) or select the better performance graphics ship. This usually helps.
Ths version 1.0 firmware did not fix this problem. Later tonight i will see if it fixed the external monitor - clamshell closed issue.
Sad - i no longer think software will fix this, I have applecare notice, and probably will have to send it in.
Model NametMacBook Pro
Model IdentifiertMacBookPro5,2
Processor NametIntel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speedt2.93 GHz
Number Of Processorst1
Total Number Of Corest2
L2 Cachet6 MB
Memoryt8 GB
Bus Speedt1.07 GHz
Boot ROM VersiontMBP52.008E.B00
SMC Versiont1.42f4
Please fix the 15inch MacBook Pro too!
Seriously, I can barely work!
My 15" macbook pro is plugged into a 30" HP LP3065, and I can't go more than 10 minutes without some form of visual disturbance. I called apple, and after about 1 hour of trying everything they told me (with no avail), they told me that apple was aware of the problem, and was working on it.
they've released two graphics fixes in the past 2 weeks. When are they going to get to this one!!!!
Seriously, I can barely work!
My 15" macbook pro is plugged into a 30" HP LP3065, and I can't go more than 10 minutes without some form of visual disturbance. I called apple, and after about 1 hour of trying everything they told me (with no avail), they told me that apple was aware of the problem, and was working on it.
they've released two graphics fixes in the past 2 weeks. When are they going to get to this one!!!!
Thats what they told me two weeks ago - that a fix for the external monitor flicker was due any time. It also took two people, and almost 40 minutes to get to the point where they told me apple was aware of problem and will be issuing a software fix. I already had a 2007 17 mbpro - which i pulled rank and gave to one of my junior engineers, so i could have the new one. Tired of seeing his smug face!