Best of both worlds?
Three notebook makers have made notebooks designed to allow users to switch between NVIDIA discrete GPUs and Intel Centrino 2 integrated graphics without having to reboot, a facility known as hybrid graphics. There is no mention of any such cooperation with AMD.
Sony, Fujitsu Siemens Computers (FSC) and BenQ have all released notebooks that use this facility. All NVIDIA GeForce 9M series GPUs support hybrid graphics, but it looks like the notebook still has to be specifically designed to utilise the technology.
The notebooks in question are as follows:
- Sony VAIO Z series ultra-light laptops with GeForce 9300M GS GPUs
- Fujitsu Siemens Amilo XI 3650 entertainment laptops with GeForce 9600M GT GPUs
- BenQ Joybook S42 ultra-light laptops with GeForce 9600M GT GPUs
The big deal about hybrid graphics, apparently, is that it saves battery life by only using the discrete GPU when it's needed. It seems that users can "select" between the two states without rebooting, which implies it doesn't happen automatically.
"Engineering hybrid graphics was a significant effort between all involved, but the end result was worth it," said Rene Haas, GM of notebooks at NVIDIA. "Now consumers can experience a new breed of laptops that eliminates the compromise between battery life and visual computing performance."
