Listen up folks!!! First PCIe notebook released!!!! - Page 5

Karma, I think you are confused. MXM and AXIOM are electrically and physically incompatible. A notebook can only use one standard. But I didn't say a notebook can only use VPU from one company. An ODM can choose to incorporate either an nVidia or an ATI chip on a MXM or AXIOM module. Those are the facts.

So what you are saying is this new Acer notebook can either have MXM or AXIOM as its standard for graphics? You are unsure of which one it uses?

I already know you are confused about chipsets and notebook motherboards (you suggested that Intel manufactures motherboards for notebooks). And now I think you are getting confused about how AXIOM/MXM works. If you wish to learn, just ask the questions and they will be answered.

I'm sure that IN THEORY, ATI could develop one of it's mobile GPUs to be compatible with NVIDIA's implementation of modular PCI-E graphics. What has to be asked, however, is why the hell would they when they are advancing their own standard with AXIOM?

That would be like Sony creating adaptors for Beta videocassettes to work with VHS VCRs in the height of that standards battle.

leave it to the old man to bring up Betamax

Haha, dating myself I guess.

Anywho...I called ATI's Channel Reseller support line to put this issue to rest...I should have an email reply clearing this up shortly.

MXM and AXIOM are just specifications for designing modular graphics card for notebooks. The ODM is still responsible for designing that card for their notebook using the specifications, and they still manufacture the cards. It doesn't matter what brand of GPU they put on the card when they manufacture it. They choose which specification they want to use and then design the cards for them, if they're smart, using both ATI and Nvidia chips.

I've heard nothing about Nvidia and ATI selling their mobile GPUs on premade MXM and AXIOM cards. That's not what those specifications are about. All they have done, is taken most of the research out of designing a modular graphics card specification, so that more notebook ODMs will use them. Dell and Alienware were already using this approach to making notebooks.

It would be nice if one of these would become an industry-wide standard, but it's not likely. Nvidia released MXM with that thought in mind, which I think is great. However, ATI released AXIOM specifically ODMs customizing the cards in mind. It's possible that several notebook ODMs could get together and design the cards to be interchangeable with all their notebooks, but that's also very unlikely.

That said, I like MXM more, because it was released with a standard set of sizes for the cards, which would mean they should be interchangeable if everyone designs them according to the specification.

Please read the first sentence of my post again.

Methinks you went too far back, Karma. I don't believe that was the post he was referring to when he asked you to re-read his first sentence.

BTW, I'm on the phone with Acer right now.

According to Acer, the Aspire 1800 does NOT boast a modular graphics solution. They will be offering a 128MB variant down the line, however.

Anything else we can help you with Karma?

Edit (addition): Interestingly enough, the tech I spoke with informed me that the rated battery life is 45 MINUTES! (this is coming straight from Acer who would probably want to spin that as positively as it could).

He also mentioned that THREE (3) chassis fans are required for cooling which resulted in the techs nicknaming it the "hovercraft" due to its appearance when looking at the underside.

yeah, the Sagers have the 3 fans, also, plus 2 vents. Must be a hot mother. Lots of hovercraft on the horizon, I guess.

Karma = Pwned.

Geez. 45 minute battery life AND a crappy 64 meg video card? Wtf is Acer smoking these days?

Haha, love the pic, enderet!

Yeah, the system as a whole doesn't seem too well thought out at all.

Hey, but they're first!!!

The Folio design is pretty good. I think the travelmate 3200 will do well. This computer, on the other hand...