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    What gpu will be in the next gen of workstation thinkpad?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by wilsonywx, May 3, 2008.

  1. wilsonywx

    wilsonywx Notebook Evangelist

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    Since montevina is right around the corner, I am wondering what gpu will be available in the equivalent of the t61p in the next gen of thinkpads? Any speculations?
     
    wilsonywx, May 3, 2008
    #1
  2. nautilus1982

    nautilus1982 Notebook Enthusiast

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    the normal T series is rumoured to have a ATI HD3650. So maybe the workstation will have something from HD3800 range of chips, just my guess.
     
    nautilus1982, May 3, 2008
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  3. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    Or maybe the Quadro FX 3600m for the W series 17''.
     
    Han Bao Quan, May 3, 2008
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  4. pyrojoe

    pyrojoe Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does anyone know if those cards would be compatible with Ubuntu? I've heard that ATI doesn't like linux all that much.
     
    pyrojoe, May 3, 2008
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  5. Dead1nside

    Dead1nside Notebook Geek

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    They've been a bit tardy releasing good updates for their proprietary driver recently but work on the open-source RadeonHD that supports the HD 3650 (At least the desktop part) is coming along even better, every month. So middle to long term I'd rather have an ATI card to run Linux. Because they've opened up all the documentation and are sponsoring Novell developers to help speed the driver development along. It will work.
     
    Dead1nside, May 3, 2008
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  6. menos

    menos Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    I would like to have (occasionally) the computation power of a discrete GPU in my future laptop, but I simultaneously want to keep the power consumption at the level typical for integrated units.
    Is this compromise possible?
    Currently I'm using T61p with 6-cell battery and I long for 4 hour of unplugged working I used to experience with the other laptop.
     
    menos, May 3, 2008
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  7. admlam

    admlam Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Well according to the story from last month, the new Thinkpad will have a hybrid graphics system where the dedicated part can be shut off and the integrated card kicks in. But again, it's just a rumor.
     
    admlam, May 3, 2008
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  8. Dead1nside

    Dead1nside Notebook Geek

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    The only thing about that rumour is, it would have to be on an AMD chipset. As I don't believe Intel have this hybrid technology in the works. To get the Centrino sticker on the box you have to use an Intel chipset... well that just doesn't explain the talks of hybrid graphics given that the rumour also stipulates that the discrete graphics inside the mid-range parts at least will be the mobile version of the ATI HD 3650. ATI is now owned by AMD, Intel's classic rival in the desktop space... all feels a bit flimsy.
     
    Dead1nside, May 3, 2008
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  9. wuzertheloser

    wuzertheloser Notebook Deity

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    i may be wrong...but doesn't the Sony SZ have such a system where it has a hardware switch to switch between its dedicated card and integrated card? It uses an 8400m and X3100 if I remember correctly....which is an intel chipset...
     
    wuzertheloser, May 3, 2008
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  10. Waldo Wainthrop

    Waldo Wainthrop Notebook Geek

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    It's a cold switching system on the Sony if I read correctly. It doesn't actively switch, so you'd have to restart to utilize the other GPU.
     
    Waldo Wainthrop, May 4, 2008
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  11. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    The alienware m15x also has this hybrid thing. and it uses intel chipset.
     
    Han Bao Quan, May 4, 2008
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  12. wilsonywx

    wilsonywx Notebook Evangelist

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    I thought they already have notebooks that could trigger between integrated and discrete gpu via the bios, like the alienware m15x and the notebooks mentioned above.

    edit: HaoBaoQuan beat me to it =]. Wasn't paying attention when I posted.
    I am hoping that the workstation thinkpads will finally get a gpu in the high end of the spectrum instead of a midrange card.
     
    wilsonywx, May 4, 2008
    #12
  13. wuzertheloser

    wuzertheloser Notebook Deity

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    well....high-end will be kind of hard since of the heat....
    personally...i think the fx570m is already a great card to put into this form factor. it's the most powerful card in a 15.4" laptop aside from the m15x, which i heard overheats. my T61p has no problems with heat whatsoever.
     
    wuzertheloser, May 4, 2008
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  14. JTM0320

    JTM0320 Notebook Consultant

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    wen you guys talk about these rumors and whats coming out next.. When exactly do you believe any of these changes will be seen. Like when the next change to the T61p going to be made..?
     
    JTM0320, May 5, 2008
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  15. wuzertheloser

    wuzertheloser Notebook Deity

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    yes, supposedly the t400 and t500 are coming out in June. these are the changes we are predicting are going to happen
     
    wuzertheloser, May 5, 2008
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  16. JTM0320

    JTM0320 Notebook Consultant

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    would u mind explaining what the t400 and t500 are? laptops right?
     
    JTM0320, May 5, 2008
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  17. Dead1nside

    Dead1nside Notebook Geek

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    They're renaming the series supposedly. The successor to the T61 will not be known as the T62 or T70. It will be called Txxx the xx are the size of monitor so T500 is meant to be a 15'' T Series and T400 is meant to be the 14'' version.

    They are doing this across all series supposedly, again. So the X300 that just came out is the new X series with a 13.3'' screen.

    They should be announced in June hopefully and released by September if not immediately. Obviously they will be more expensive than the current T61ps which are available for as little as £1000 from eBay new in the UK, where I live.
     
    Dead1nside, May 5, 2008
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