Apple firmware update aims to fix vertical line issues on 17-inch MBP
By Darren Murph 
posted Mar 25th 2009 7:59PM
posted Mar 25th 2009 7:59PM
[Via MacRumors]
Please note: If you're a current Engadget commenter, you do not need to re-register. Simply login and you will be prompted to select a username.
It's just works!
They aren't charging $9.99 for this "Update 1.0"? Apple I hardly recognize you.
I don't think they can charge you for removing features.
Ill assume the $9.99 for the vertical lines on your screen was covered in the initial cost of the device.
If i were an owner, i would ask for a $9.99 refund.
Work, it just.
The first line of pixels removed is free. Every pixel after that is $0.67..
If only there was a way to get that 67 cents back!
Hey Engadget, I've got a "breaking story" for you right here http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9130468&intsrc=hm_list
Apple, take note.
Microsoft is coming for you. You are beginning to fall apart at the seams with the new ipod shuffle's insane controls and your problems with the 17-incher now.
please, for the good of all of us, pull together and continue to push out products, even if it is only to make sure Microsoft doesn't get busted by the anti-trust police.
sincerely, chimercial
Why do I get the distinct feeling that this firmware involves underclocking the GPU and VRAM so that it no longer corrupts and overheats?
Most likely this will just slow down the graphics, great job Apple.
Third times a charm.
I am happen!
I don't understand what the fuck you just said, little kid.
Not a "Breaking" story?
It's a "fixing" story, making it a "breaking" story would just make it cancel itself out and actually render macbook pros back to their previous iteration, due to the rip in the time-space continuum.
iGoon,
Do me a favor, next time you're at Starbuc....I meant the Apple Store, ask the guys behind the counter if they know the difference between an SSB and an HDD...
What's an SSB? (I'm a windows user)
Super Smash Brothers...
Solid State Biscuit.
I was at my local Apple store today... well Not local I should say the Downtown spot, and I noticed how the Apple store staff are far better than the scum at Futureshop (Bestbuy)
On one hand you have a range and mix of cherry dedicated groups of people selling Apple Solutions, and on the other you have drab old PC selling slobs that come from who knows what part of the terrorist world trying to scam you out of $$$ with fast crap talk who dont know the difference between a SSB and HDD and don`t even speak any of the official languages well...
"that come from who knows what part of the terrorist world trying to scam you out of $$$"
USA?
ooo... SSB?! is this a new type of port? It's apple's new standard you say? It's to replace firewire 800 so that everyone has to start over YET AGAIN?! So, it's new, it's apple, it's expensive, it screws over people who bought into the previous generation..... OMFG I must have IT!!!
-when mocking people for not knowing their stuff and then making a typo while being asinine is a perfect example of failure.
Get a grip... and just go back to your original name. Yeah, we get it. "No, I'm totally not the troll that everyone knows is a total tool, (heh but I really am)." -The childish antics. Even under the guise of sarcasm, totally boring.
Best Buy sells macs too, of course.
Dear Engadget,
I know this comment has nothing to do the article, but it's still important. You guys gotta fix the comments! We haven't had visible Highly and Highest Ranked comments since December! That's like 4 months!!! I know they're there because if you click the date next to someone's username you can see the actual ranking. Please fix it!
Everyone who's with me, start yelling! WAAH!!
Dear Engadget,
I know this comment system fellates all sorts of wildlife and that any forum on any given website owns this one and all of its progeny and ancestors, but come fucking on already!
My avatar randomly changes from Christmas Avatar to "Old" Avatar and to "New" avatar.
WTF?
I agree it needs sorting and correcting.
WAAAAAAH!!
I strongly agree...Bill can't fart.
amen
We are geeks, Hear Us ROAR!!!!!!
Oh yeah, someone (whoever sees the new page first) needs to post a polite request to fix the comment system as the first post of every thread, that will get attention and get things done. Let's get to it now...
you got that right, dude who can't fart. commenting on engadget used to be balls to da wall fun.... whats with the '1000 up ranks only gets you highly ranked' deal? i demand to see more blue and blinding light gray scattered on these pages!
(high ranks and blackberry golf claps to bill)
*golf claps*
How do we start a petition?
Yeah, fix it!
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
Can't change my picture too.
AFAIK engadget just uses standard blogsoftware from 3rd parties and have little control on how well it works apart for sending an email to the makers, so don't go assuming they have such great coding skills.
@Aguiluz
At least yours changes, I've been stuck with the same one for months because it refuses to change. I have tried uploading it here in account maintainance and on the webblogs main page under account, no dice. So I'm stuck with this silver robot head for all time it seems.
Well if the update doesn't turn the fan into a leaf blower then maybe it was just a corrupt file, like the Fallout 3 DLC. Floating exclamation points in the game, floating lines on the screen.......it could happen. Nah, probably just another fluke in the Nvidia manufacturing process. Luckily my 8600M hasn't died yet.
Manufacturing flukes are fixed by 770KB of data?
If your fan turns into a leaf blower after the 770k update and the issue goes away then most of the manufacturers have considered this "fixed".
it's probably just gonna slow down the processor in the gpu or make the fans into jet engines, either way it's a lose-lose for the customers.
Either way, you're speculating and actually have no idea what this fix does.
FANBOY!!! ^^
yes?
Any Unibody 17" MBP owners out there who suffered from the vertical line issue, installed the update, and can say the update worked? I'm thinking of buying one, and would like to know if the update fixed the problem?
Product of the year!
I wouldn't buy anything with a nVidia chip on it. I wouldn't want my computer to fry.
The problem isn´t Nvidia its Apple deciding to take esthetics over technical details. There are plenty of other laptops out there who with these chips don´t suffer the same issues. What I do fail to understand is that this isn´t the first time for Apple to make this mistake and everytime the buyers have to accept this shit. I wonder though why the buyer keeps accepting these problems. I would love to see an unbiased research regarding the RoP´s where Apple gets compared to for example Sony.
When I overclock too much the GPU clock shader on a Desktop and laptop Gerforce graphic card I get that effect.
(Can be also be cause by overheating)
I guess this was issue (shader clock problem.. and this update probably de-overclock it)
Better than the news story on Gizmodo on what Bill Gates had for lunch
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HA....knew i had one more in me
HA...oops I lied