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2011 MacBook Pros Confirmed To Crash Under Load

sammcj writes "2011 MacBook crashing under heavy load?... you are not alone. While trying to figure out what was wrong with my fancy new MacBook I soon realized that the issue is very widespread."

14 of 501 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Well of course by mikael_j · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Do you want a list of Dell models that my employer has concluded have design flaws or do you just want to fling mud at Apple? (here's a hint: Every manufacturer has issues with their machines, including Apple).

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  2. Re:Well of course by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Uhm, not to be impolite, but I must ask.
    Are you sure you can?, won't your MacBook crash while handling such a huge list?

  3. Using it wrong by Stele · · Score: 5, Funny

    You must be using it wrong.

  4. Re:The Great Debate by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mac: Hi, I'm a Mac.
    PC: Hi, I'm a PC.
    [Mac slows down and starts to crash]
    Mac: Hey, what's happening to me?
    [PC reaches over and starts tickling Mac]
    PC: Stop crashing yourself! Stop crashing yourself!
    Mac: This isn't supposed to happen! What's going on?
    PC: Been there, done that. Get used to it.
    Mac: Save me Stevie Won Kejobsie, save me!

  5. Re:Well of course by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It only freezes when people are holding it wrong. If they would just use it properly there is no problem. But, just to be nice guys, Apple will give people a free "cooling case" if they call in with their problem.

  6. Much ado about nothing ... by SirJorgelOfBorgel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Look, I severely dislike Apple, their products, their methods, and their policies.

    However, this seems to be much ado about nothing. I have actually read the entire thread, and it appears to be a simple software issue that can be resolved by disabling some fan control package. The issue does not occur under stress testing in Windows 7. Put those two together, the issue becomes one or two bad packages, which will be resolved in an update sooner or later (for those that blew $3k on a computer, I hope sooner).

    Of course, how Apple has handled the situation is abysmal, and I'm quite surprised seeing the people in the thread defending Apple support as they do.

    In the end though: nothing to see here, move along, this is not a reason for major Apple bashing or Apple vs PC debates, and yes, even Apple can and does release bugged software now and then.

  7. Re:Well of course by philj · · Score: 5, Informative

    Having read the linked thread, it looks like it's an ATI graphics card driver problem. You can still ssh into a machine that has "crashed under load".

  8. It is caused by by toxygen01 · · Score: 5, Informative

    iStat menu (most probably).

    for those tl;dr:
    most of the users report that after uninstalling istat menu pro (and it's "fan control" set to on by default) the problem goes away...

    keep panicking...

  9. Re:2011 MBP a stinker? by thetoadwarrior · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My macbook pro easily meets the 7 hour battery life they've claimed (mine is one version before the 2011), it's almost always nearly as cool as when it's off, it's dead silent, starts up and is at a functional desktop within 5 seconds and yes it looks better with it's metal case than some cheap plastic one and it's thinner than what I'd get from Dell. Despite being thinner things like the lid feel much sturdier than a Dell and it comes with everything. THere are even small touches like being able to check the battery life without even turning it on.

    I can't vouch for their newest model. It may be utter shit. But having gone through the process of pricing up laptops to get everything I have in my macbook it would cost nearly as much or more in some cases. Part of the reason for this is it seems to be nearly impossible to get an SSD in a laptop which seems retarded but you're looking at quite a big bump up in the price to add the equivalent sized SSD into a Wintel laptop.

    Again even if you do get all those things it will still be in a cheap plastic case, it will almost certainly still be thicker, run warmer and louder. I don't think it's any surprise a lot of developers can be seen with Macbooks even if they aren't running OS X. The hardware is quality and it's built in such a way that you end up with something that resembles what a laptop should be rather than some big ugly plastic thing that gives you back pains carrying it around.

    People need to take a break from their anti-apple circle jerk and remember that the newest macbook features brand new technology in it like Intel's Thunderbolt. It is just as likely that can cause problems even if you're not actually plugging anything into the port. One thing Apple does do that many other companies don't is adapt new technologies sooner and as a result are more likely to get bit in the ass by something going wrong. One of two things will happen. It can be resolved in a short period through software or maybe the 2011 models will just be notorious for being rubbish and smart people will pass on them and wait for the next iteration where the issue may not exist.

    Alternatively they could have had a bad batch of components. It happens to everyone. Just look at how many companies that were affected by Sony's shitty laptop batteries. But of course some people just like to hate on things they can't afford.

  10. Re:Software Related by jmaline · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Smcfancontrol is 3rd party software, not Apple.

    I've long wanted macfixit.com to have some prominent indicator on stories about problems. The indicator? I'M AN IDIOT AND I INSTALLED SOME LOW-LEVEL "HAXIE" AND IT CAUSED PROBLEMS. BECAUSE WHO COULD IMAGINE THAT PATCHING CHANGES INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S SOFTWARE COULD HAVE BAD SIDE-EFFECTS. AS I SAID I'M AN IDIOT.

    OK, maybe a little wordy. But it'd help me quickly skip articles reporting "problems" where the "fix" was to uninstall some crazy low-level hack.

  11. Re:Gold plated by mellon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm puzzled. "Argument?" "Bogus?" To whom? If you want a computer that runs MacOS, you buy a Mac. If you don't, you can buy whatever you want, Mac or non-Mac. And you buy the Mac that does what you need, if you buy a Mac. I have a 13" MBP because I do not want the extra weight. I'd have to have a *really good reason* to spend the extra money for a 15" or 17"--not just to show off. My wife just got a 15", because she needs the extra screen real estate. Her backpack weighs a *ton*.

    These aren't arguments--they're explanations for why the person making the explanation made the choice they made. You aren't that person, and you might not make the same choice given the same constraints for a variety of reasons, but that doesn't mean that the person's choice was "bogus," or that their explanation is wrong.

    I will admit that I get a little ticked off when my non-geek friends buy Windows machines and then expect me to help them when they melt down, but if you're willing to be responsible for the downsides of your choice, buy what *you* want. Who cares what some guy on Slashdot thinks? If I were a Windows geek I'd probably feel the same way about my friends buying Macs and expecting me to help when they melt down.

  12. Re:Well of course by UnknowingFool · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm waiting for someone to figure out what the real problem is before I pass judgment. It might be a design problem for Apple or it may have nothing to do with Apple. There's a list of serious of problems that have plagued PC makers for the last several years. The nVidia chip problem: Apple replaced boards even if out of warranty. I think Dell and other manufacturters had to do the same. The exploding battery problem: There was some serious ragging on Apple until practically all laptop manufacturers started to recall their batteries because the problem originated with their common supplier: Sony Battery. Just last month, PC makers might have to delay some product launches because of problems with Intel Sandy Bridge chipsets.

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  13. Re:Well of course by Nocuous · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't provide sexual favors to the mentally retarded.

    --
    Don't take it personally, but I'm not going to read your pithy response to my post.
  14. Re:Well of course by Americano · · Score: 5, Insightful

    the price of failure is higher for Apple because they have not diversified as much as Dell.

    So if Apple adopted Dell's "run it up the flagpole, and see who salutes" hardware strategy, they'd have Dell's vast profit and valuation?

    Wow. I'm sure they'll get right on destroying their business and profit margins in a rush to the bottom, now that you've suggested it.