Extended repair program for MBP video issues may materialize as other odd issues.
Apple's extended repair program for MacBook Pro video issues related to early 2011 to late 2013 laptops was extended for another year last year. This program was extended to December 2016, and probably will cease with the EOL of the late 2011 laptops.
If you have a MacBook Pro that seems to reboot or shutdown unexpectedly, can't load OS X past the initial login page, or attempt to reinstall OS X and it won't even load the installer - you may be having a motherboard failure covered by this program.
Other obvious symptoms are video artifacts and other glitches directly related to the discrete graphics card.
I didn't have specific video card issues so I was hesitant on bringing it to Apple for testing. I made a Genius Bar appointment and confirmed diagnostics wouldn't cost me anything just to check for the problem and we could go from there.
It took them about three minutes to load the diagnostics, document the test, and confirm I was eligible for a replacement system board at no cost.
So I would encourage anyone with strange issues with your older MBP to review the extended repair program webpage and leverage this coverage so you can having a working laptop again.
Posted Apr 11, 2016, 2:53 AM UTC