macbookpro 165Apple just released an update for the MacBook Pro 15-inch, late 2008 model. It requires Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.8, Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8, or OS X Lion 10.7.3.

About MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 2.8

This update is recommended for MacBook Pro (15-inch, late 2008) models. The update resolves a graphics issue that may cause the internal display to flicker.

Weighing in at 1.79MB, the update can be downloaded from Apple's software update page.

Top Rated Comments

claygreenberg Avatar
171 months ago
Finally!

This has been a known issue with hundreds upon hundreds of posts on Apple's support forums since the computer came out in 2008. I'm impressed it only took 3.5 years to release a fix. Let's hope it actually fixes it and doesn't create any new problems.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AriX Avatar
171 months ago
Good on Apple for targeting this for all of the recent OSs.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmcalpin Avatar
171 months ago
So far so good! The flicker was annoying enough that I just set my computer to "higher performance" (the 9600M GT chip) and left it there forever. Not a single flicker since the update.

My workaround didn't bother me because most of what I do benefits from the extra graphics horsepower to some extent or another, but on those rare occasions that I can't be plugged in and just wanted to surf for the internet or write or whatever (like on an airplane), the loss of battery life and extra heat has been a pain in the… lap.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aniday Avatar
171 months ago
That loud beep that happens sometimes after an efi firmware updated scared the bejeezus out of me. I thought something awful happened. It's apparently normal. Never happened to me before, though.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Elijahg Avatar
171 months ago
I have this problem too occasionally. Didn't think there's ever be an update to fix it, though.

What is with all these firmware updates coming out lately? We barely ever used to see firmware updates for devices past their warranty expiry, now there seems to be an update for every model made since '08! Perhaps Tim is authorising them whereas Steve wouldn't. :o
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mexikaner Avatar
171 months ago
Crazy!

I had just bought my Late 2008 MBP 15" a week ago and thought I had made a huge mistake as I had sold my 2010 MBP 13" which had been working flawlessly only for wanting something with a bigger screen was my reason for selling. I had only just recently found out about the flickering screen with 15" 9400 nvida cards. I was disappointed to say the least but, now it seems as God sent to get this firmware update within a matter of a week of owning this computer! I feel bad for the people that have waited almost 4 years to get this fixed and for me to get this within a week well... what can I say! :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday March 31, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models. The new firmware is version 7E93, up from the 7B21 firmware that was installed on the AirPods Pro 2 and the 7B20 firmware available on the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in the new firmware, but we'll update this article should we find ...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.4 comes two months after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. With...