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    Laptop manufacturers, OEM drivers & time to release?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by puttjoog, Aug 21, 2010.

  1. puttjoog

    puttjoog Newbie

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    Hi 2 questions -

    - Is it possible to buy a laptop which doesn't require OEM graphics drivers?
    - Otherwise, do people have recommendations on which manufacturers are faster/regular with their releases of OEM drivers?

    The reason I'm asking is because I'm looking for a new laptop; my last machine was an HP with an ATI chip. HP's releases of OEM graphics drivers lagged years behind the ATI driver releases, if they were released at all.

    Thanks
     
    puttjoog, Aug 21, 2010
    #1
  2. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Typically you can use drivers directly from the graphics cards oems themselves like ATI or nVidia. Sony is an exception, and so is it typically if you have switchable graphics, although that is quickly changing considering its popularity.

    I found Lenovo and IdeaPad line was awful for driver updates. Dell afaik use the default video card drivers in most cases, so does HP. My Envy 14 has switchable graphics, so more or less are at the mercy of HP, but we've been able to update with newer drivers successfully, by using beta versions.
     
    HTWingNut, Aug 21, 2010
    #2
  3. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    you buy your laptop from an OEM and then updated drivers can be downloaded direct from Nvidia or AMD/Ati
     
    MrDJ, Aug 21, 2010
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  4. rschauby

    rschauby Superfluously Redundant

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    Your best bet might be a Clevo laptop. Sony, Asus, HP, Dell and Lenovo all have machines with issues using reference ATI/Nvidia drivers. Sure most all of them have workarounds, but I agree it is a pain in the butt.
     
    rschauby, Aug 21, 2010
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  5. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I never had issues installing stock ati/nvidia drivers on Dell, Gateway or Asus. Sony afaik usually requires their drivers and pain in the butt to even find a workaround.
     
    HTWingNut, Aug 21, 2010
    #5
  6. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Acer machines can usually use default drivers unless you have switchable graphics, but that can be got around.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 21, 2010
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  7. scadsfkasfddsk

    scadsfkasfddsk Notebook Evangelist

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    Sony should be your last choice when it comes to OEM drivers. The last driver that came out for my laptop that actually works was 167.60. No drivers direct from Nvidia actually work since Sony, and I firmly put the blame on Sony, refuse to allow customers have good drivers.
     
    scadsfkasfddsk, Aug 21, 2010
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  8. bchreng

    bchreng Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm having nothing but great experiences so far on my HP. The drivers I downloaded from ATI's site installed without a hitch.
     
    bchreng, Aug 21, 2010
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  9. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Considering they OPTED OUT of ATIs driver program, I am not surprised.

    That actually put effort into not being compatable.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 21, 2010
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  10. scadsfkasfddsk

    scadsfkasfddsk Notebook Evangelist

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    Although I have no evidence to say so I believe this would be the case with Nvidia as well. They have an extremely arrogant and pretty unjustified corporate culture.
     
    scadsfkasfddsk, Aug 21, 2010
    #10