hybrid-graphics-linux team mailing list archive

[Lekensteyn <lekensteyn@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Sarang,

1) Stay away from nVidia Optimus models, these muxless cannot be used with
vga_switcheroo for switching between cards. Using a solution like
Bumblebee<https://github.com/Bumblebee-Project/Bumblebee>you
can utilize your nvidia card (and turn it off), but that does not work for
all applications.
See also http://askubuntu.com/q/36930/6969

2) The core logic is the same and power management functionality can always
be found
so there is no real (in)compatibilty list.

3) Since there is no way to test application performance without Bumblebee /
Ironhide on
nVidia card, there are no comparisons possible for that (unless you're
talking on the difference
between Intel and nVidia for which I don't have statistics directly
available)

4) Not that I'm aware of.

5) I don't know

Hopefully you're better informed now and won't make a mistake when buying a
new
machine.

Regards,
Leknesteyn

On Thu, Oct 27, 2011 at 4:36 PM, Sarang Kulkarni <sarang2005@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Hi,
>     I am in the market for a new laptop and I am trying to learn more
> about the current graphics situation so as to not make a mistake with
> my purchase.
>
> 1. I looked at the Ubuntu Community Documentation for hybrid graphics
> at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HybridGraphics. It has given me
> the impression that even if I buy an Optimus Sandy Bridge laptop, I
> can use vga_switcheroo to use my nvidia card, and perhaps the problem
> is with real-time switching of cards without restarting X. Is this
> correct? Can I just configure things so that the nvidia card is always
> in use? I don't care if the Intel IGP also stays on and eats power. Or
> is it possible that I won't be able to use the nvidia card at all and
> will have to settle for the Intel IGP at all times?
>
> 2. Is there a list or a wiki page with a compatibility list and or
> machine specific gotchas with bumblebee / ironhide?
>
> 3. How is the graphics performance when using ironhide / bumblebee?
> How big is the hit because of VirtualGL etc.?
>
> 4. Is there a list of laptops with hardware muxes / switches or BIOS
> options to only use the discrete graphics card?
>
> 5. I am having a dilemma about value for money between similarly
> priced i7-2630QM and i7-740QM notebooks. Any opinions on whether it is
> a waste of money to buy Clarksfield i7-740QM at the same price as a
> Sandy Bridge i7-2630QM notebook, only because the former will have
> hassle-free graphics?
>
> Thanks a lot for all your responses, and for all the work you guys are
> doing to bring hybrid graphics to linux. it is a shame the
> manufacturers won't put out proper drivers.
>
> Regards,
> Sarang
>
> --
> My public key:
> http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x9E6529C4A1099740
>
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