Apple investigating graphics issues with new MacBooks

Early purchasers of Apple's new unibody MacBooks are reporting crashing and graphic corruption during gameplay. Users are reporting that their screens turn to black upon loading a game and shortly after the computer locks up and the sound enters into an infinite loop. Users state that once the systems lock up there is no other method of recovery but to restart the MacBook.

The issue occurs under both Windows and Mac OS X affecting titles including but not limited to World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Company of Heroes.

According to Sam Oliver from Apple Insider, users believe the problem lies in a driver or cooling issue, wherein the MacBook is heating up faster than it can be cooled by the internal fans. Some users have mitigated the issue by installing alternative NVIDIA drivers and using a software tool called SMCFancontrol and manually setting their fan speed to 100%.

Some users have not been so lucky and have had to have their logic boards replaced or swap in their system completely. The issue seems to be linked to the earliest batch of unibody MacBooks as users who have swapped in their systems are reporting that the issue has went away.

Additionally, it has been reported that while browsing the web and viewing HD content, "wave-like" video distortion occurs. The problem is said to be visible even on the MacBooks that are on display at the Apple stores.

Apple has acknowledged both issues and is assumed to be working on fixes.

Source: Apple investigating graphics issues with new MacBooks