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    Why does the NP8150 not have switchable Graphics

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by ikant, Apr 20, 2011.

  1. ikant

    ikant Notebook Guru

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    I mean is it a technical thing with the motherboard that it can't have switchable graphics(and if it is how come the M17x has switchable GPU) or did Sager/clevo just decided not to include it because of Linux incompatibility and some other issues.
     
    ikant, Apr 20, 2011
    #1
  2. 4st3risk

    4st3risk Notebook Evangelist

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    'cause Clevo is a lazy b@stard.
     
    4st3risk, Apr 20, 2011
    #2
  3. Juanderful

    Juanderful Notebook Consultant

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    Basically this.

    If you want a gaming laptop that uses switchable graphics to improve battery life when you're not gaming, Alienware's the only option at the moment. Which is why I switched to the dark side ;)
     
    Juanderful, Apr 20, 2011
    #3
  4. trvelbug

    trvelbug Notebook Prophet

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    is the switchable graphics of the aw and the 6970 working properly?
     
    trvelbug, Apr 20, 2011
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  5. zAzq

    zAzq Notebook Consultant

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    Five hours of battery life. Believe it.
     
    zAzq, Apr 20, 2011
    #5
  6. zAzq

    zAzq Notebook Consultant

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    I'm on the fence with this, too. Alienware's like nearly two hundred dollars more expensive for the same specs, but there is the switchable graphics option. =S
     
    zAzq, Apr 20, 2011
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  7. trvelbug

    trvelbug Notebook Prophet

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    How come mandrake only reported 3:30 with 460m?
     
    trvelbug, Apr 20, 2011
    #7
  8. nllptr

    nllptr Notebook Consultant

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    A bios switch would be good enough for me as well. I guess they assume that the majority of people buying the laptops will use them as desktop replacements rather than portables.
     
    nllptr, Apr 20, 2011
    #8
  9. Natadiem

    Natadiem Notebook Evangelist

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    Don't forget that the M17xR3 is 5.3Kilos while the P150HM is 3 kilos.
    For the same size AW propose a 555m in M14x and battery last 4h while the P150HM does 3+ hours with GTX485m!
    Switchable graphic would make the P150HM perfect imo.
    The wireless HDTV is really nice though, but not available everywhere apparently.
     
    Natadiem, Apr 20, 2011
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  10. Daniellogic

    Daniellogic Notebook Enthusiast

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    Personally, I prefer my 8130 without switchable graphics because of linux incompatibility.. the few optimus laptops I have seen were running Ubuntu with the intel GPU :( , and there was no way to switch to the nvidia one.
     
    Daniellogic, Apr 20, 2011
    #10
  11. trvelbug

    trvelbug Notebook Prophet

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    and the aw has a 90w battery as compared to the 8150s 77w. the only review ive seen on the r3 with a 6790 is in laptopmag and they did not specify whether this 5 hours was at idle or with use. the aw r3 with the 460m only registered 3:30hrs on internet use and thats mighty close to what i get ith my 8150.
    also ive seen how spongy the keyboard is on the new aw. but of course its all personal choice.
    im just wondering if igp is fully integrated with the r3; if so it should have widi and quicksync enabled too.
    somehow there is a serious lack of info/reviews on the net atm
     
    trvelbug, Apr 20, 2011
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  12. zAzq

    zAzq Notebook Consultant

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    Because the switchable graphics option only comes with the ATI 6970, not 460M, if I'm not wrong. A review site and Alienware forum members confirmed the time, I remember reading.

    Personally, I'm looking to get the 8170. And though it's not a portable for me, power usage is important for me. (In a country with frequent power outages; will have to run on backup inverter-battery.) If it eats up as much power during net surfing as it does during gaming, that'd be silly.
     
    zAzq, Apr 21, 2011
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  13. JasonNH

    JasonNH Notebook Evangelist

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    I thought it had to do with the 3D screen rather than the 460m.
     
    JasonNH, Apr 21, 2011
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  14. pukemon

    pukemon are you unplugged?

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    i might've considered an 81xx if it had optimus. i'm very happy with 5160 thoughc minus a couple things.
     
    pukemon, Apr 21, 2011
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  15. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    From what I've read, the switching IGP requires a reboot. This is fine with me, IMHO, and wouldn't mind seeing this form of "switchable" graphics in the Sager/Clevo. Optimus is a nightmare and just something else to micromanage to make sure things work right. Not an advantage in my book.
     
    HTWingNut, Apr 22, 2011
    #15
  16. bartman8888

    bartman8888 Notebook Geek

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    No IGP option and no backlit keyboard in the 8170 are what stopped me from buying one, and I refuse to buy an Alienware. Maybe Clevo will get off their and update the mobo/kb when the 580m comes out. Either way, I need an upgrade - my 260m is out of horsepower.
     
    bartman8888, Apr 22, 2011
    #16