ATI switchable graphics? HP says they do...

[EliteRetard]

Anybody know about this yet? I was browsing some HP laptops and they have a few of the new 5 series ATI cards listed as switchable (like the 5650). Software or hardware solution? Could be an alternative to the Asus lines...

 

[WackyDan]

It is a software and hardware solution. A few things conspire here...

- Bios support
- Video Driver ( Installs both Intel and ATI drivers from same package - do not install Intel separately as you may regret it)
- Support via the vendors power management driver and utility.
- Not supported in XP... Must use Vista or Win7.

I do not know if the ATI switchable have gotten better. I used them in the ThinkPads with their first generation of switchable and it was ugly early on.

 

[cbn]

I thought it was in form of an external box?

 

[WackyDan]

I thought it was in form of an external box?

No.. That is a different solution. Both Nvidia and ATI offer mobile cards that vendors are building into their laptops. They will switch either manually or automatically depending on the generation of card/tech.

 

[fire400]

Cool thing: The technology exists.

Stupid thing: Pretty much defies why you have power-saver profiles that come default with Windows XP/Vista/Win-7. A few clicks on the taskbar area, and you can change the power profiles already.

I think it's a waste of space design for mobile users within their chassis, software cluttering causing inefficiency and more bugs, and just stupid in general, fact it's from two seperate companies.

This may become obsolete in the future, when higher performance graphics cards adjust more to going into ultra-low-power mode as newer software engineering will allow more functions to just remain off until it is needed, in essense, to save battery life.

Recommended you don't get it if you just think it's cool, only if your options narrow down to the sole need: you really want to run an Intel based graphics solution and touch on more discreet graphics with the frame of the laptop/laptop specs provided.

 

[vcsx]

I have the HP TM2 tablet (great device!) with switchable graphics. The switching works very well. I only switch to ATI when playing Hi-Def flash content. To me, the Intel graphics does greatly for most tasks.

In the case of this particular device, the ability to switch graphics is only available if the ATI driver is installed from HP's website. The ATI driver they put together includes the Intel driver too. Installing each driver separately from its respective manufacturer results in only one driver working.

 

[Griffinhart]

I have the HP TM2 tablet (great device!) with switchable graphics. The switching works very well. I only switch to ATI when playing Hi-Def flash content. To me, the Intel graphics does greatly for most tasks.

In the case of this particular device, the ability to switch graphics is only available if the ATI driver is installed from HP's website. The ATI driver they put together includes the Intel driver too. Installing each driver separately from its respective manufacturer results in only one driver working.

Good info, thanks! I just ordered one last week with the ATI option. If I decide to wipe the HD and do a fresh install knowing where to get the proper video drivers for keeping the switchng ability is a big help.

 

[vcsx]

Good info, thanks! I just ordered one last week with the ATI option.

This tablet seems to be selling well, despite the lack of advertisements. Check out the guide below for great info regarding the TM2. By the way, HP is about to "refresh" the TM2 with i3 and i5 CPUs. Maybe you should wait another month before buying your tablet. The new TM2's are coming within a few weeks.

The HP tm2 New User Guide
http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/hp-touchsmart-tm2-wacom/32429-hp-tm2-new-user-guide.html

 

[Griffinhart]

I was debating on waiting or not for the refresh. But, I'm impatient, and I didn't see an actual release date, so I decided to go for the current. I'm currently using my TX2, which is great, but the battery life sucks on it. 2.5 hours or so. I just started an 8 month training program where I use it heavily every day and just wanted to get something sooner rather than later. The i3 and reduced size looks awesome, but I got a pretty decent deal. Upgraded Graphics and 8GB of RAM for $900. I've been seeing a lot of good reviews and comments about the TN2. It looks like a crazy good tablet.

 

[neothe0ne]

I think it's a waste of space design for mobile users within their chassis

How so? You are aware that the Intel graphics are coming from the Core i3/i5 CPU, right?

 

[cbn]

http://www.fudzilla.com/notebooks/notebooks/ati-is-working-on-its-version-of-optimus

An Optimus-like technology for ATI by the end of the year?