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ASUS notebooks with new Nvidia Optimus auto graphics switching coming soon!

post #1 of 9
2/9/10 at 11:39am
Thread Starter 
Engadget has gotten a chance to look at one of 5 Asus notebooks due to be released at the end of the month with a new feature: auto-switching graphics using Nvidia's Optimus technology. From their test experiences, the automatic switching works flawlessly for most programs and situations, and if you find a program that should trigger the switch to dedicated graphics but doesn't, you can manually tell the system to always run it with the dedicated graphics card via either the program's jump list or via the Nvidia Control Panel. Engadget says Optimus currently only runs on the Windows 7 operating system, but there's a possibility that it will run on future Apple machines as well.

The Asus UL50Vf, N61Jv, N71Jv, N82Jv, and U30Jc are expected around the end of the month. You can see the whole article on Engadget.
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post #2 of 9
2/9/10 at 1:20pm
The auto-switching would be an interesting concept. Sony introduced back in January its Z lines with this new mechanism supporting a GT 330M and Intel internal graphic.

Article:
Sony VAIO Z's quad SSD, graphics switching confirmed!

cheers ...
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post #3 of 9
2/9/10 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
The auto-switching would be an interesting concept. Sony introduced back in January its Z lines with this new mechanism supporting a GT 330M and Intel internal graphic.

Article:
Sony VAIO Z's quad SSD, graphics switching confirmed!

cheers ...
Yeah, there are a few notebooks with switchable graphics already in place. The big news about Nvidia's new implementation is that it switches graphics automatically on a program demand basis. For existing notebooks with switchable graphics, switching graphics requires a system restart and cannot be done on the fly. With Optimus, they can.
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post #4 of 9
2/9/10 at 1:34pm
Not with the Sony Z series that are coming end of March (in the linked article above). The system would need NO restart; the switching is, just like you mentioned, based on apps and performance requirement.

cheers ...
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post #5 of 9
2/9/10 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 
The article does not mention that switching would not require a restart. It mentioned 2 modes but no explanation of how the computer transitions between them.

edit: ah, I found it. It's in the link to the hands-on review in the article you linked to (would have been easier to just link to the hands-on review )
Quote:
NVIDIA's 9300M GS graphics components can be switched off to conserve power -- another feature similar to certain high-end MacBooks. Unlike the Macs systems, however, users do not need to log out before switching modes. A switch provides another option to automatically initiate the dedicated graphics when additional acceleration is needed.
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post #6 of 9
2/9/10 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
...

edit: ah, I found it. It's in the link to the hands-on review in the article you linked to (would have been easier to just link to the hands-on review )
darn it

cheers ...
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post #7 of 9
2/11/10 at 1:19pm
I would think most users would want to control this themselves. Why make it automatic?
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post #8 of 9
2/11/10 at 1:35pm
This automatic switching is a good design, allowing access to full graphic performance without having to shut down and restart.

The way it is being presented is that users can choose graphic performance profiles depending on needs. Users can also decide to stay with either dedicated or integrated graphic card usage when working with the "manual" profile.

cheers ...
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post #9 of 9
2/27/10 at 12:58pm
It looks like that ASUS keeps up the promise. And here at month end:

-Asus N61JV-X2:
Product Features
* 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-430M Processor
* 4GB of DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM, 2 slots, 8GB Max
* 500GB Hard Drive (7200 RPM); Super Multi Optical Disk Drive; Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn
* 16-Inch HD LED LCD Display; 2.0MP Webcam; HDMI Port; NVidia GT325M Graphics Engine with 1GB DDR3 Dedicated VRAM
* Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Operating System
Processor, Memory, and Motherboard
* Processor: 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5
Cases and Expandability
* Size (LWH): 15.4 inches, 10.6 inches, 1.5 inches
* Weight: 6.5 pounds


- The N72JV-X1 has a larger 17.3-inch display, a 2.26GHz Core i3-350M, weighs about 9.30lbs, and most of the remaining hardware is identical to the N61JV-X2. Additional specs include an Express Card 34 slot, gigabit Ethernet, a few USB 2.0 ports alongside one USB 3.0, an eSATA port, an eight-in-one card reader, VGA and HDMI-out, and a six-cell battery.

Information can already be found at Amazon and NewEgg.

cheers ...
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