M11x R2 Disable Nvidia Optimus From within Windows

I'm trying to decide if I should get the R1 (amazing price right now) or the R2 and I want to know if there is a way I can force it to always use the Nvidia card or to always use the intel card from within windows (I know there isn't a bios option with the R2).

 

By default it uses the integrated Intel graphics. You white list programs to use with the dedicated GPU. I'd wait for the refresh though and buy the R3 when it comes out.

 

Did Dell say when they were going to release the R3. I need the machine for school and I don't think I can wait too long. I think I may pick up a cheap R1, then buy a m17 when I finish school

 

The R3 has not yet been announced

R1 would be better for school since you squeeze close to two more battery hours compared to the R2 ...plus the price is incredible.

Just make sure you buy it off the Dell University website and snag it for 499$ since you're a student. Coupon cannot stack on the student deal FYI.

Good luck!

 

Can't you just use the global settings, and force it to always use the nvidia GPU? Thats what I do, I never have to whitelist anything.

 

There are no reason to run on the Nvidia all the time because you will just get a lower battery life and higher temperature during operation. PS your CPU is also automatically speed step for none heavy process to keep your battery as high as possible.

You can not disable the intel card because the redendering is done via the Nvidia and display via the intel, optimus is a nice technology for laptops but they should fix the bugs that comes with it. If you can wait I would suggest waiting a little while because the R2 have been out for 6+ months already.

 

and how long are you prepared to wait for something that has not been officially announced but only just hinted at by Chris-M that it just exists and that's it!

 

Every laptop manufacturer on the planet (including Alienware and Dell) refreshes their consumer-targeted laptops about once per 2 years. So unless your idea of "waiting a little while" means "waiting another 18 months..."

No, they never announced it. It is all speculation, rumor hear-say, and wishful thinking at this point. I do not believe any rumor unless it is an official announcement or press release directly from a company representative, for any product.

You really can't go wrong with a cheap Alienware M11x R1. It will game just about as well as well as any M11x R3, give or take (the M11x needs a new GPU, and not a Sandy Bridge CPU, to improve gaming performance - and there weren't any monumental advancements in low-power GPU's in the past 6 months).

Hypothetically, if the M11x R3 were to magically come out tomorrow, it also wouldn't be anywhere near the $550 of the M11x R1... it will be closer to the $1000+ mark of the M11x R2. And even if it does come out, the M11x R1's and M11x R2's don't all of a sudden become "bad" laptops to own. They will still perform as awesomely as they do today.

Get an Alienware M11x R1 with at least 4GB of RAM in it, slap an aftermarket SSD in there (OCZ Vertex 2 120GB or Intel X25-M 120GB for about $200), and you will be good to go for at least a few years.

 

Thanks for the input everyone, I think I'm going to go for the R1, based on price.

Thanks again