Advisory: Have your Apple MacBook Pro / Air graphics card repaired

Some models of the Apple MacBook Pro and Apple MacBook Air can have problems with the graphics card - this applies to both series with Nvidia and ATI graphics cards. Whether the graphics card in the MacBook Air / Pro is weakening over time or is defective from the start, there is the option of having the laptop repaired. Where that is possible, why it does not have to cost the world and which models were most affected in the past, I have summarized that for you in this guide.

Detect GPU failure on Apple laptop

Errors in the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), i.e. the graphics processor of a device, can be detected fairly quickly. Depending on the type and severity of the error, the graphic is then shifted on the display or monitor, the colors are incorrect, artifacts arise or the screen remains black. A resolution that is too low, which can no longer be increased to the normal standard, is an indication that the graphics chip in the MacBook is defective. Since a graphics card error in the MacBook is seldom a problem that can be solved by software, if graphics errors and image disturbances occur, the graphics chip must be replaced. 

Have your MacBook Pro / Air graphics card repaired - not at Apple!

If you want to have your MacBook Air or Pro graphics card repaired or replaced, then Apple Service should not necessarily be the first point of contact. Because Apple will directly replace the entire logic board; and replacing the logic board is expensive and, especially with older models, can ensure that a new purchase (or a used purchase of a similar or newer model) is more worthwhile. 

That's why I recommend this to you Repair service Sadaghian from Hamburg. You can send your MacBook to Sadaghian, have it checked for free and get a free estimate - for replacing the defective MacBook graphics card, not for unnecessarily changing larger components. With the discount code SYRAP or the mention of my Sir Apfelot blog (on the phone, for example) you even get a discount. If you use the following link to get to the Sadaghian website, I will also receive a small commission: Click here, Thank you!

Frequently affected series for MacBook graphics card repairs

MacBook graphics card errors mainly occur due to defective solder connections in various series and models - especially in Apple mobile computers from 2006 to 2012. So if you have to have the Apple MacBook Pro/Air graphics card repaired, the series may be to blame. Here is some information that you can compare with that on the bottom of your MacBook (model number) or with the information in the  menu under “About this Mac” (CPU and GPU):

MacBook Pro Core Duo (2006)

• MacBook Pro 15 ″ with 1,67 GHz / 1,83 GHz / 2 GHz / 2,16 GHz - A1150 - ATI X1600 graphics card
• MacBook Pro 17 ″ with 2,16 GHz - A1151 - ATI X1600 graphics card

MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (Late 2006)

• MacBook Pro 15 ″ with 2,16 GHz / 2,33 GHz - A1211 - ATI X1600 graphics card
• MacBook Pro 17 ″ with 2,33 GHz - A1212 - ATI X1600 graphics card

MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo "Centrino Santa Rosa" (Mid / Late 2007)

• MacBook Pro 15 ″ with 2,2 GHz / 2,4 GHz / 2,6 GHz - A1226 - NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics card
• MacBook Pro 17 ″ with 2,4 GHz / 2,6 GHz - A1229 - NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics card

MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (Early 2008)

• MacBook Pro 15 ″ with 2,4 GHz / 2,5 GHz / 2,6 GHz - A1260 - NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics card
• MacBook Pro 17 ″ with 2,5 GHz / 2,6 GHz - A1261 - NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics card

MacBook Air 13 ″ 2nd Generation (Early 2008)

• MacBook Air 13 ″ with 1,6 GHz - 1304

MacBook Pro 15 ″ Unibody (2010/2011)

• MacBook Pro 15 ″ Unibody Core i5 with 2,4 GHz / 2,5 GHz - A1286 - NVIDIA GT330M graphics card
• MacBook Pro 15 ″ Unibody Core i7 with 2,66 GHz / 2,8 GHz - A1286 - NVIDIA GT330M graphics card
• MacBook Pro 15 ″ Unibody, Core i7 with 2,0 GHz - A1286 - ATI AMD Radeon HD 6490M graphics card
• MacBook Pro 15 ″ Unibody, Core i7 with 2,2 GHz / 2,3 GHz / 2,4 GHz - A1286 - ATI AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics card
• MacBook Pro 15 ″ Unibody, Core i7 with 2,4 GHz / 2,5 GHz - A1286 - ATI AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics card

MacBook Pro 17 ″ Unibody (2010/2011)

• MacBook Pro 17 ″ Unibody Core i7 with 2,66 GHz / 2,8 GHz - A1297 - NVIDIA GT330M graphics card
• MacBook Pro 17 ″ Unibody, Core i7 with 2,2 GHz / 2,3 GHz / 2,4 GHz - A1297 - ATI AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics card
• MacBook Pro 17 ″ Unibody, Core i7 with 2,4 GHz / 2,5 GHz - A1297 - ATI AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics card

MacBook Pro 15 ″ Retina (Mid 2012)

• MacBook Pro 15 ″ Retina Core i7 with 2,3 GHz / 2,6 GHz / 2,7 GHz - A1398 - with NVIDIA GT 650M graphics card

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.