Graphics Card Failure after 4 years

I bought a Macbook pro about 5 years ago (Mid 2010 model). About a year ago I started having problems - the computer would just shut down all of a sudden. This now happens about 5 times a day. I lose work and it has become impossible to operate. I took it into Apple (through Digicape) and they confirmed it was a graphics card failure which is a known issue on the 2*** models. They have set up a replacement program for those machines. After 2-3 months of dealing with exceptionally slow customer service they have finally refused to fix mine as it is 6 MONTHS out of the quality program date! They have however confirmed that it is EXACTLY the same problem. Firstly, this is ridiculous and secondly, I am hugely disappointed that a company which apparently prides itself in the longevity of its products (which might justify the big prices) can find it acceptable to sell something that lasts 4 years. Next time I will buy (and recommend others to buy) a Windows computer - half the price for apparently the same lifespan. Super disappointed