Several reported incidents regarding problems arising MacBook Pro 2016's graphics have surfaced online. Apple responded saying the GPU anomalies associated with the Touch Bar can be solved with macOS 10.12.2 beta.

The problem varies from user to user with some experiencing crashes, while others show fragmentation and different reactions on screen from colors flashing to black bars popping in and out of the display. Users also noted that shutting down the MacBook Pro and restarting it, temporarily fixes the issue.

Responding to a customer query via email shared by the user at MacRumors Forum, Apple's senior VP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi believes that everything software-related has been rectified by updating the MacBook Pro to macOS 10.12.2. However, there was no mention to point what specific fixes were applied to address the problem, AppleInsider reported.

Digging deeper, AppleInsider examined the new Sierra Beta and found that a huge amount of GPU drivers were modified, however, they also pointed out they cannot tell how much was modified. True enough, they report that it indeed fixed the problem in one of the problem units they have access to.

It would be premature to conclude that everything was software related at this point until more issues pop up after the said beta update. Many pointed out that the likely culprit of the problem is the hand-off between Intel's integrated graphics chip and the Radeon Pro GPU. Notably, Intel issued a Windows-based update for Skylake integrated graphics earlier that might have folded been adopted in the macOS Sierra 10.12.2 beta.

Furthermore, macOS Sierra 10.12.2 beta is available only to users who are enrolled in the Apple beta test program. Users who might have problems with their MacBook Pro might have to enroll in the program to verify for themselves if the fix can actually remedy their problem. Final version of the update is expected to be rolled out next week.

Read more
Tags Apple, Apple MacBook, Apple MacBook Pro, Apple MacBook Pro 2016