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    Laptops with Dual Graphics

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by jcf, Jan 11, 2007.

  1. jcf

    jcf Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    After going through this forum I found out that the Sony SZ has a dual graphics systems. If I understood it well it allows substancial savings in battery time specially if you use the laptop for work and gaming.

    So my question is: are there any other brands with the same dual system ?
    (I'm looking for a laptop with a 7600/7700 gpu)

    Regards,
    JCF
     
    jcf, Jan 11, 2007
    #1
  2. Dreamer

    Dreamer The Bad Boy

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    Besides the Sony I know only a few others but they are outdated systems...

    And so, there're no similar notebooks with the Go 7600/7700
     
    Dreamer, Jan 11, 2007
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  3. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    You're best off looking for a notebook with an extended battery, such as an 8-, 9-, or 12-cell. The Sony SZ is the only laptop right now as Dreamer said that is sold with a dual graphics system.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jan 11, 2007
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  4. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    AMD/ATI are working on a similar platform, but it is still in development.

    The Sony SZ is the only way to go if this feature is important to you.
     
    chrisyano, Jan 11, 2007
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  5. Padmé

    Padmé NBR Super Pink Princess

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    Doesn't Alienware have the dual graphics systems?
     
    Padmé, Jan 11, 2007
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  6. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    They used to, but not anymore. The laptop that did have the dual graphics system was the m5500, which has been replaced by the m5550. The m5500 had a Go6600 + GMA900, which could be switched between.
    http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2727
    That's Ivan's review right there; it is not the Alienware version, but is the same laptop. It has a different ATI video card because that laptop has an MXM type II slot.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jan 11, 2007
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  7. BaNZ

    BaNZ Notebook Consultant

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    Hmm I got a SZ with dual graphics geforce 7400go and gma 950. It is a bit buggy, about 1 out of 10 cold boot will result as a crash on the graphic card. Tried reinstalling xp but still the same, and other colleagues have the same problems. I use the gma 950 90% of the time since I have stopped playing games now. But it definitly is a nice feature.

    Also it is a cool backup, I'm not sure if one graphic card dies I can still boot from the other. Since I had couple of sony laptops with dead gpus. If it works then I'll be really happy.
     
    BaNZ, Jan 12, 2007
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  8. jcf

    jcf Notebook Enthusiast

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    thx for the feedback.
     
    jcf, Jan 12, 2007
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  9. Jason

    Jason Overclocker NBR Reviewer

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    They also have laptops with dual 7900GS graphics cards... but dual 7900GS cards are pointless, considering a single 7950GTX offers the same performance.

    Most notebooks that have a dedicated graphics card now, underclock the GPU significantly while on battery life. This saves quite a bit of battery, when you’re not doing graphic intensive tests.
     
    Jason, Jan 12, 2007
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  10. Padmé

    Padmé NBR Super Pink Princess

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    Jason. Yes, that's what I was thinking of, the laptops with dual graphics cards.
     
    Padmé, Jan 12, 2007
    #10