How certain are we that a downloadable update can fix 4850's from freezing?

[Tymbo]

How certain are we that (physical?) interference between the airport card/wifi and the graphics card can be cured with a download, and not actual hardware fix/repair?

I mean, I know technology is advancing rapidly, but I'm not sure I can believe that a download can solve the issue that the 4850s are experiencing.

 

[iLog.Genius]

We don't. Apple will do whatever tests they find appropriate and if it's software related, the fix will be available as a download. Hopefully it's not something similar to the 8600M GT where it was an actual hardware failure. I would think Apple would be more careful to prevent that type of error again.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I'm not sure I can believe that a download can solve the issue that the 4850s are experiencing.

Owners of the original freezing Alu iMac felt exactly the same way.

Apple will find a solution one way or another.

 

[Poisednoise]

Agreed. My last machine was a G5 tower, and some sound professionals complained that the fans were too loud (a much less serious problem than we have here, and also one that could clearly not be fixed just with software).

Apple sent us all a new PSU, and quieter fans, free of charge. Despite the frustration sometimes with their models not working perfectly, they are a good company, and I genuinely believe they will look after us.

 

[Tom Dahl]

We don't. Apple will do whatever tests they find appropriate and if it's software related, the fix will be available as a download.

I agree. Despite the fair amount of anecdotal information and ad-hoc testing reported by members of this community, I seriously doubt that any one of us can say with authority and a high degree of certainty that the freezing problem can be cured with software or firmware.

It remains very curious to me why some systems freeze easily and others such as mine have not had a single freeze in more than two weeks (when running similar workloads). To me, that suggests a marginal hardware component somewhere. But that's just a guess.

 

[packgrad2000]

Agreed. My last machine was a G5 tower, and some sound professionals complained that the fans were too loud (a much less serious problem than we have here, and also one that could clearly not be fixed just with software).

Apple sent us all a new PSU, and quieter fans, free of charge. Despite the frustration sometimes with their models not working perfectly, they are a good company, and I genuinely believe they will look after us.

Really? You think Apple will continue to replace the logic boards because of all the 8600GT's that will continue to fail in MBP's? The 1 year extension of warranty will begin ending in June of this year for some of us (2 years after the original MBP with the faulty 8600GT), and as far as I can tell, Apple isn't going to do anything more about it. So you're going to begin to see those of us with MBP's that are just over 2 years old with a bad video card (about $1000 to replace), and those MBP's will be good for nothing other than parts at that point.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Really? You think Apple will continue to replace the logic boards because of all the 8600GT's that will continue to fail in MBP's? The 1 year extension of warranty will begin ending in June of this year for some of us (2 years after the original MBP with the faulty 8600GT), and as far as I can tell, Apple isn't going to do anything more about it. So you're going to begin to see those of us with MBP's that are just over 2 years old with a bad video card (about $1000 to replace), and those MBP's will be good for nothing other than parts at that point.

Well, we can't predict the future, but there's precedent for Apple taking care of its customers. E.g., they're still replacing the cracked plastic macbook cases (because of manufacturer defect) upon request long after the warranty expires.