Lenovo graphics card MXM support? here's one model...

This probably has more to do with all 10 of the people who can afford a W700, but it could have implications for other Thinkpad models in the future. I was patroling the Lenovo blogs and ran across a link to a W700 review. http://hothardware.com/Articles/Lenovo-Thinkpad-W700-Mobile-Workstation/?page=5

Good stuff. But check this out apparently the w700 uses that hilariously under-used standard for graphics cards, MXM. The high end Nvidia graphics are upgradable? Really? Well...

"The QuadroFX 3700M utilizes the MXM architecture, which is more or less a customized PCI Express interface for mobile devices. In theory, this does mean that the graphics chip can be removed and replaced if necessary. Since the graphics chip isn't hard soldered onto the motherboard, Lenovo can offer a range of GPU options for potential buyers. The QuadroFX 3700M is the high-end option, adding an additional $340 to the base cost. If you want to drop a little bit of the GPU power, you can go for the QuadroFX 2700M GPU, which effectively halves your GPU computing power and cuts your memory size down to 512 MB, but either way, you're dealing with some very good graphics chips in this thing"

Nice. It's nice to have the option of not junking such an expensive laptop if something goes bad (yes neither is G82 or G84 based). This potentially, and I stress potentially, has another benefit. It seems if you buy this beast and get second thoughts on your graphics card, you'll probably be able to drop the other in later (good luck finding an MXM module for this laptop and better have a big budget). I wouldn't recommend it since you know you're already paying in the neighborhood of 3-5 grand on this laptop, but there is that option. And then there is the pipe dream that a user can find a compatable MXM module for future graphics card series. I know there are a laughable number of hurdles, just I say that because someone will say it.

What is important here, I feel, is that Lenovo is showing some respect to its customers. The user has an easy to repair option if there is no warrenty something breaks or the card is bad, not that there have ever been faulty Nvidia graphics cards before or anything... And if it is in warrenty, I'd imagine it's easier and cheaper to replace the GPU instead of the whole motherboard. Seems like a win-win for everyone. I hope Lenovo continues the design choice for future Think Pads with discrete graphics cards.