Apple Initiates Graphic Card Replacement Program for Mid-2011 27-inch iMac

Apple has launched a replacement program for the graphics card in some mid–2011 iMac configurations, reports 9to5Mac. According to a note sent to Apple Support employees, the AMD Radeon HD 6970 video cards in some 27-inch May 2011 iMacs have experienced issues, causing them to fail.

graphicsglitch

Apple has determined that some AMD Radeon HD 6970M video cards used in 27-inch iMac computers with 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processors may fail, causing the computer’s display to appear distorted, white or blue with vertical lines, or to turn black. iMac computers with affected video cards were sold between May 2011 and October 2012.

The affected iMacs contain serial numbers with the last four characters of DHJQ, DHJW, DL8Q, DNGH, DNJ9, DMW8, DPM1, DPM2, DPNV, DNY0, DRVP, DY6F, or F610. The errors have been previously noted on both the MacRumors forums and the Apple Support forums.

Apple will replace the graphics card of affected iMacs with the aforementioned serial numbers at no cost for up to three years from the date that the computer was purchased, which makes early adopters eligible until May 2014.

Replacements can be initiated through AppleCare, the Genius Bar, or Apple Authorized Resellers and iMac users that paid to have the graphics card replaced are also eligible for a refund.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral)
Related Forum: iMac

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Top Rated Comments

MacOG728893 Avatar
155 months ago
"Apple....it just works"

This is about as old and annoying as "safari feels snappier"

They're computer components, they have a 100% fail rate. Get over it and try to understand what that statement is really trying to say...
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
6749974 Avatar
155 months ago
"Apple....it just works"

More so than the alternative.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
leroypants Avatar
155 months ago
"Apple....it just works"
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AidenShaw Avatar
155 months ago
Yeah it's Apple's fault these video cards are defective..
Yes, it's Apple's fault.

They chose to use a supplier that gave them defective parts.

That makes it Apple's problem. 100% Apple's problem.

Imagine the alternative. Apple could put in whatever cheap crap they want, and when it fails Apple says "not our problem - contact Wtdhell at http://www.wtdhell.com.tw for a replacement".

Do you really want to pay the "Apple tax" and be treated like that?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Four oF NINE Avatar
155 months ago
Always good to see Apple throw a bit of help to people that got stuck with bad product.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmanist1000 Avatar
155 months ago
Well, I fall into that category. I have had some strange flickering issues with my model.

I'll setup an appointment and see what happens.

While I'm there I'll pick up the new 3TB Time Capsule :)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)