A newly announced settlement in a class-action lawsuit against graphics maker Nvidia has entitled owners of a number of notebook computers, including two of Apple's MacBook Pro models, to repairs or monetary compensation.

Case No. 08-cv-04312-JW relates to Nvidia chips found in some Dell, HP and Apple notebooks sold between 2005 and 2010. For Mac owners, the suit relates to two notebooks: 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro models sold between May 2007 and September 2008.

Owners of an affected Mac system could experience distorted or scrambled video on the screen, or the display may not work when the notebook is turned on. Some Dell and HP systems also reportedly have additional issues, such as random characters, lines or garbled images appearing on the screen.

The class-action lawsuit known as "The Nvidia GPU Litigation" was heard in a U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, San Jose Division. Judge James Ware gave preliminary approval of the settlement on Aug. 30.

The lawsuit alleges that graphics processing units and media and communications processors supplied by Nvidia affected the performance of some notebook computers.

"NVIDIA denies all allegations of wrongdoing and has asserted many defenses," a notice issued by the U.S. District Court reads. "The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing." Apple, HP and Dell are not parties to the lawsuit.

Members of the class action have three potential options in the proposed settlement:

1. Owners of Apple and Dell machines may receive replacement of the Nvidia GPU or MCP.
2. Those who have an affected HP notebook may receive a replacement notebook computer similar in kind and value.
3. Nvidia will fund $2 million for reimbursement, which will be used to pay for repairs related to problems with the chips.


The e-mail instructs users who may be a part of the class action to register their e-mail address at nvidiasettlement.com. It states that the claim period will begin before Dec. 20, 2010.