First of all let me say FUCK YOU APPLE and FUCK YOU NVIDIA!
I believe I have a full right to say something like that because I've been something of a local Apple and nVidia evangelist for far too long (some time after Steve returned, somewhere between 2000 and 2001), and I've been following Apple's work all the way through Steve Jobs years. I'm born in 1984, so I couldn't have been following his work much earlier than I did.
So, I've also been a Mac user, from eMac, iBook, PowerBook, MacBook, iMac, PowerMac, MacBook Pro (and a 1st generation iPad, that is still in the house used for reading mostly).
However, I'm also a PC user, or what we would people here have called Wintel platform, and indeed it was Wintel powered by nVidia GPU's exclusively. So, when MacBook Pro Santa Rosa was introduced I always wanted to own one. Its a small piece of Apple history, research and development, moving towards a new age in computing, etc.
Recently (mid November 2014) I've purchased a 2.2 GHz mode (stock version, no upgrades) from a guy in the classifieds for 230,00 EUR + shipping. It had a complete package, box with all of the documentation, remote control, the MBP itself was in really good condition (no dents and it showed minimal use). Once it arrived it worked for 3 hours, I went to the store to buy a battery for the remote control, and when I came back the display was dark. I thought it was because MBP went to sleep. I pushed the button, as with many other Apple Notebooks expecting the display to illuminate, but nothing happened. Then, panic ensued.
I knew that MacBook Pro's Santa Rosa series had problems with nVidia GPU's. It was written about and Apple, while never admitting the fault, had an extended service program in some joint cooperation with nVidia. My reasoning before purchasing was that the device was already fixed or the logic board was replaced so that there were very little chance that that would happen to me. There was a Santa Rosa rev. 2 which had removed those problems.
Well, it seems that I got a dud.
So I turned to Apple chat support, they were guiding me through PRAM reset, Battery Reset, and all of that jazz, which I already tried on my own. Nothing worked. In the end, the guy told me to look up service center in Belgrade (Serbia) and check if there is something that can possibly be done. I did exactly that. They told me that they even didn't have any replacement parts for it, because the product was EOL (end of life-cycle).
Then I tried contacting nVidia, explained to them that I've been a looooong time nVidia user and I've helped spread their product as well. That didn't worth anything, they've told me to go screw a light bulb since they dont have anything to do with that, its Apple's fault.
Well, having a broken MBP wasn't all the inspiring, so I had to ring up a local service that was into BGA reballing. They told me the cost, 40 EUR for BGA reballing with 6 months of workmanship guarantee. I've shipped the MBP to them, it took a week and the MBP was fixed. Reballing worked and the device was returned.
Up to this point I've spent:
Then I decided to upgrade my MacBook Pro SR with an SSD, 6 GB of RAM, new battery, right fan replacement (you could hear the right fan when it goes beyond 4000 rpm), Cooler Master notebook stand, extra LAN cable, Tucano carrying bag/case.
Here is the price rundown:
GRAND TOTAL: 660 EUR
And what did I get for all that money? Well, I'm really pissed off to tell you that just 30 minutes ago, before I started writing this email the machine has died on me, again, the nVidia 8600M GT problem, again.
Basically I could have bought a 2010 13" MBP in pristine condition or a slightly damaged 15", but I decided to do this. I would never again purchase an Apple or nVidia product, ever. And I'm in my spending years, if anyone from marketing has read this he would have noticed what demographic I'm under. So, good luck guys!
After the previous message was posted on Apple Support Communities, I have recieved a email notification that my post was taken down.
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We removed your post MacBook Pro Santa Rosa Display failed (BGA reballing) because it contained rants or complaints that weren’t constructive. We understand wanting to share experiences, but these forums are meant for technical questions that can be answered by the community.