Question about Grpahics Card

Hello,

I am thinking about the ThinkPad Z61t because of its 14 inch screen and metal coating. But I am worried about the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950. I have heard this will be barly adaquate for Vista. If I buy a new card, how easy is it to swap? Does it void my warrenty?

 

Highly doubt you would be able to swap GPU on a notebook - unless Lenovo offers an option on the ThinkPad Z61 of various GPU, I don't think it would even be possible. Yes, for the most part it would void your warranty unlike Ram upgrades.

 

GMA 950 are not ideal for the Aero feature on Vista. What i suggest is that you try to find a laptop with at least X1300 or X1400 graphics in them. They are capable of properly running Vista, and Aero.

 

Question21, the Intel GMA 950 is an integrated video card, which means that it cannot be replaced. But let me ask you a question: do you really need Vista? Windows XP will be fine for at least three more years and by then you are ready to buy a new notebook with all the latest hardware.

 

950 will be fine as long as you don't really game.
Vista will come out next year, but it will take at least 2-3yrs before it becomes the standard.

 

If you are worried about being Vista capable, then go for a dedicated GPU of at least X1400 or equivalent. The GPU is one of the things that you can't upgrade generally on a laptop unless you go for super $$$$ high-end gaming laptops.

 

I'm in the same situation. I think it will be a long time before we start using VISTA. I have a z61t with Intel 950 as well. 950 can run vista.

But I'm sure there will be an option to turn off all the Vista graphics. Just like in XP. ( See attached) I always turnoff advcanced graphics in xp as well. XP runs much faster with this option.

Also, I have another option. Using an advanced dock and install PCI express graphics card. That will cover if I need to use my laptop for grapics intensive programs.

I don't think lenovo has any plans to put a dedicated GPU in z61 t series for the next 2 years. Now, I would go with z61t for it's portability and other features.

 

Like AGNI said, it will run Vista fine.
Now, the only question is if it will run Aero (Vista's eye-candy). There really is no reason why it cant run the Aero interface. It has all the requirements that Microsoft requires. I ran the Vista compatibility utility on my Z61t, and it said its Aero ready. I have also heard some people are getting Vista beta (with Aero)to run on their GMA950 machines by using a generic video driver that comes with Vista. So whenever Intel writes a fully compliant Vista driver for the 950, we will be in business.

I also use the Windows classic theme in XP, so I doubt that I would even use Aero in Vista...especially since its such a resource hog.

 

Wait, didn't Intel already redesign the video component of their chipsets somewhere down the Centrino line with Aero in mind? I don't follow Windows stuff much anymore, but I seem to recall that. Maybe it was just desktop chipsets.