Switchable Graphics

Hey,

I am looking to get a new laptop and I am extremely interested in the switchable graphics the new Centrino 2/Montevina chipset has. I know the Lenovo T series notebooks have this, but do any other manufactures? Are there any pitfalls about this that I should be aware of? I saw one poster said that when using switchable graphics Vista was only able to access 2.5 of his 3 gigs.

Thanks

 

Sony has it also.

 

That is certainly a possibility, but you can fix that by moving to a 64bit OS.

Usually when people ask about multi-GPU stuff like this, I always ask: why do you need the more powerful, dedicated, GPU? If the answer isn't gaming, you don't need it .

 

Thanks for the quick replies.

Yeah I would like to use it for gaming, but also would like to be able to use the laptop for extended periods of time without plugging in and that makes the switchable graphics so enticing.

Thats unfortunate its just Lenovo and Sony. Im surprised Sager or Clevo don't have any offerings. Which models of Sony have it?

 

The Z series has it, but I'm not sure if other models has it.

 

the new MSI GX7235(?) have switchable graphics, basically if a laptop have ATI, there's a possibility that it will have Switchable.

 

All Sony Z, and some SZ models, Lenovo U330, Lenovo T.

 

Another option is to get a netbook. The Eee 901 is very small, and would probably fit in your notebook bag without even knowing it. The keyboard is small, so wouldn't use it for any extended typing sessions, but it can have easily a six hour battery life for basic tasks like web browsing, email, viewing office documents, etc. It also plays movies and can store your music collection as well. The smaller form factor allows for use even on an airplane, unlike most notebooks that you don't have a prayer of opening in the cramped seats today.

 

3d rendering is much more intensive that gaming in most cases.

 

Originally the Lenovo R400 was suppose to also have switchable graphics but apparently its not on their site. The W500 has the FireGL v5700 so it would be pretty good at games (yes the T500's regular Radeon 3650 would perform slightly better, but there is that option). The Sony's also have the on the fly switching. The upcomming recplacements for the Dell XPS 13 and 15 inchers will, if the leaked powerpoint slides are true, have switchable Nvidia graphics. Apparently they have the hybrid sli graphics as seen in the new Macs. Oh, and then there's the Macbooks too if you have a money tree.