NVIDIA’s Hybrid Graphics technology is starting to find its way on to the laptop market. The three PC manufacturers Sony, Fujitsu Siemens Computer (FSC) and BenQ have launched notebooks using the technology. The reason is quite simple, by switching between the installed NVIDIA graphics circuit and Intel’s integrated circuit, all computers are based on the Centrino 2 platform, they were able to optimize and lower power consumption.
When the computer needs some additional 3D punch or is not working on battery power the NVIDIA chip activates, but when unplugged and during regular office work the power-hungry NVIDIA chip is turned off in favor of Intel’s integrated solution.
“Engineering hybrid graphics was a significant effort between all involved, but the end result was worth it,” said Rene Haas, general manager of the notebook business at NVIDIA. “Now consumers can experience a new breed of laptops that eliminates the compromise between battery life and visual computing performance.”
It’s not clear how the shift takes place, but apparently it is more or less on the fly. On the other hand we don’t know if the user will have any control of the secondary GPU, but it would be convenient if one could control it through different profiles. According to NVIDIA, the following laptops house the technology;
- 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
Sony VAIO Z with Hybrid Graphics
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