e520, switchable ATI graphics and OpenGL (please help an engineering student))

I'm aware I'm probably beating a dead horse, but I would really, really appreciate all the help.


I'm about to purchase a new laptop and was ready to pull the trigger on the e520. Sandy Bridge i5, 7200 rpm disk, radeon 6630, Win 7 pro and really great build quality (at least it felt that way when I looked at it in the store).

However, I found a thread here (HP pavilion section) that ATI graphics won't work with ANY OpenGL app.

My question is, is that also the case with e520 (and other Lenovo laptops with new ATI graphics)? Only Intel graphics work with OpenGL?

I was really leaning towards e520, but since I would use my laptop for MATLAB, CAD, FEM (limited), occasional gaming and movies, I'm afraid that half of the time I would use only half of the laptops' potential.

My other choice is a Toshiba with nearly identical specs (5400 rpm disk), but has Nvidia Gt525. The problem is it doesn't feel as well built as Lenovo. Also, e520 has better keyboard, which is important to me.

Please tell me your ATI 6630 works with OpenGL

 

it does work with openGL. The consensus is that nVidia business cards are better than ATI business cards for CAD and 3D apps because they have a better support for OpenGL. Also gaming cards such as above are slower than their business counterparts.

That said CAD (AutoCAD) and MATLAB run fine even with an integrated cards. Go with lenovo if the build quality is better.

 

I'm aware that gaming cards are slower, but unfortunately I can't afford a Quadro configuration, so I'm stuck with gaming cards.

Speaking of CAD, I use CATIA (again, not that often), so this was one of the reasons (along with FEM tools) why I was worried.

But thanks, this made my day. Btw. which drivers are you using?

Of course, if someone has different experiences, please feel free to share them.

 

Did more browsing and found more examples where ATI card doesn't work with OpenGL (all tough, not as many as HP).

It makes no sense to me that a manufacturer would miss something this major, but still have my doubts.

Has anyone here run a OpenGL tester (e520 or e420s with ati 6630), such as Furmark or anything similar that tests OpenGL? Or uses any OpenGL app? I just want to have a definite proof that it works (no offense naton ).

 

No worries but the HD 6000 series does support OpenGL. Check this out.

Anyways, it doesn't matter. I'm not familiar with Catia , but most 3D software work with both OpenGL and Direct3D so you should be fine.

Have considered a desktop + a small notebook instead?

 

Thanks for the link, I've already seen it.

But the issue seems to be AMDs muxless desgin. I won't switch to ATI card for some reason. This is the original thread

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...xx-read-here-answers-switchable-graphics.html

The e520 is also listed here (openGL extension viewer detects only the intel card).

I'm looking specifically for a laptop, since I'll be traveling a lot.

Thanks for your help.