MacBook Pro 2011 GPU issues

===Early and Late 2011 model GPU Issues===
Early  and Late 2011 models reportedly suffer from manufacturing problems leading to overheating, graphical issues, and eventually complete GPU and logic board failure. A thread was opened on the Apple Support community<ref name="Forum">{{cite web|url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=8325&tstart=0|title=Macbook Pro 2011 GPU Issue Forum Page|accessdate=Sep 18, 2014}}</ref> that reached more than 8,918 posts and 1,602,962 visits (Oct 2014). Users started a petition requesting a recall over the issue, which quickly surpassed 15,000 signatures. It has 17,657 signatures (Oct 2014).<ref name="Petition">{{cite web|url=http://www.change.org/p/timothy-d-cook-replace-or-fix-all-2011-macbook-pro-with-graphics-failure|title=Macbook Pro 2011 GPU Recall Petition|accessdate=Sep 18, 2014}}</ref> A similar but nonidentical issue affected iMac GPUs which were later recalled by Apple.<ref name="iMac Recall">{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5167|title=iMac 2011 GPU Recall|accessdate=Sep 18, 2014}}</ref> The problem was covered by many articles in Mac-focused magazines, starting late 2013 throughout 2014.<ref name="ZDnet">{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/little-utility-rescues-a-macbook-pro-with-failing-video-7000024626/|title=Apple - Little utility rescues a MacBook Pro with failing video|accessdate=Sep 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="TechRepublic">{{cite web|url=http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/apple-in-the-enterprise/internet-reports-suggest-possible-2011-macbook-pro-graphics-issue/|title=Internet reports suggest possible 2011 MacBook Pro graphics issue|accessdate=Sep 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="CultOfMac">{{cite web|title=Early 2011 MacBook Pros Are Dropping Like Flies|url=http://www.cultofmac.com/262861/early-2011-macbook-pros-dropping-like-flies-heat-issues-blame/|accessdate=Sep 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="MacRumors">{{cite web|title=Some 2011 MacBook Pros Experiencing GPU Glitches, System Crashes|url=http://www.macrumors.com/2014/01/17/2011-macbook-pro-gpu-glitches/|accessdate=Sep 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="AppleInsider">{{cite web|title=Apple remains mum as complaints mount over 2011 MacBook Pro GPU failures|url=http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/05/13/apple-remains-mum-as-complaints-mount-over-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-failures|accessdate=Sep 19, 2014}}</ref> In August 2014 the law firm Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP begun investigating the problem,<ref name="MacRumors on MBP2011 class action">{{cite web|title=Lawyers Researching Possible Class Action Lawsuit Over 2011 MacBook Pro Graphics Issues|url=http://www.macrumors.com/2014/08/21/lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-graphics/|accessdate=Sep 19, 2014}}</ref> considering a class action against Apple. Apple, as of mid-September 2014, refuses to comment on the issue.