I have been happy with my old A1211 Macbook Pro (LATE2006, 2.16Ghz, ATI X1600), which has been running without any major issues for the past 5 years. However, I might be running out of luck, as it has turned into new-age computer-art generator.

My Macbook Pro’s GPU has been failing at an increasing rate, which – apart from an undeniable visual impressiveness – has rendered my laptop useless as a painting utensil. At the moment, I am still able to read, write or even edit photography (as long as the GPU temperature stays below 50° celsius), but painting in Photoshop will cause a terrible freeze within 20 minutes. For certain, the GPU will meet its untimely end sooner or later and without valid warranty or good will to pay for Apple’s horrendous pricing to replace an A1211′s logic board: it’s time for some home-made experimentation! I am attempting a reflow of GPU and VRAM soldering in order to fix this.

In short, I want my digital sketchbook back!