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Apple today released MacBook Pro Video Update 1.0, a new software update designed to address freezing and other video issues on the company's Mid-2010 version of the 15-inch MacBook Pro.
This update addresses an issue where MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2010) computers may intermittently freeze or stop displaying video.
An associated support document offers additional information on the issue:
Apple has determined that a small number of MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) computers may intermittently freeze or stop displaying video on the built-in display or on an external display connected to the MacBook Pro. In this situation, you may also see a restart warning message before the video is lost or the display turns black or gray. Affected computers were manufactured between April 2010 and February 2011.
The software update, which weighs in at 70.97 MB, does require OS X Lion 10.7.2. Users still running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and experiencing issues are advised to contact Apple technical support, Apple retail store, or an authorized service provider in order to assess whether service is required. OS X Lion users who continue to experience issues after applying the new update are also advised to contact one of the support options for follow-up diagnostics and potential servicing.
Top Rated Comments
Why would it? This issue only occurs when you upgrade to Lion, nowhere else.
But let's put this in perspective: the original scores varied between 1000-1200FPS, after the video update it's now 900-1000FPS.
Just to compare I ran the same tests on my Windows desktop with a mid range ATI card and got similar scores, actually slightly worse due to using 1920x1080 resolution. Still runs Arkham City like a champ.
So despite the roughly 16% performance drop in OpenGL, I'm not seeing any real world difference here. Seriously, I'm just glad not to see that damned beach ball again.
After two trips to the Genius Bar they finally replaced the logic board for free, which resolved the issue (10 reboots and counting without any problems). I haven't installed the video patch yet.
My suspicion regarding the source of the problem is that it's the nVidia card. Disabling automatic graphic switching was another workaround that stops the BBoD and occasional BSOD as well, at least for those of us with the same MBP and hardware revisions.
Later tonight I'm going to benchmark the OpenGL before and after I install the video patch to see if what was said about the video update crippling performance was really true. I doubt it is though, considering how much it's improved gaming for others.
I'm just glad not to see that damned beach ball anymore. My goodness.
BTW, if the video patch still doesn't work it's likely you'll need to have the logic board replaced like I had to do. Even without Applecare and out of warranty you can get it done for free as long as the MBP is less than two years old. As much as I didn't want to take it in I'm glad I did, as they also replaced the thermal module (whatever that is) and the memory too.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3191083?start=1890&tstart=0
I also took my 2010 MacBook Pro (main work computer) to the Genius Bar twice and was without it for a week each time. Both times they had to replace the logic board.
I went back to the Genius Bar (exactly one week ago from today) to pick it up after it had been "fixed". Naturally, the first thing I tried doing was move the mouse cursor around, which was frozen on the screen. The Apple support person said to just do a soft reset. We did that and the MacBook booted and the mouse was working again, until 5 seconds later when it got the BSOD! I'm glad it happened in the store. I stressed a little frustration that I was just without it at work for another week and that I was tired of shuffling computers at work. They told me to come back in 45 minutes and they'd have a new MacBook Pro for me.
Guess I REALLY lucked out since just a week later they introduced a fix.