NVIDIA Shows Off "Optimus" Switchable Graphics For Notebooks

Vigile writes "Transformers jokes aside, NVIDIA's newest technology offering hopes to radically change the way notebook computers are built and how customers use them. The promise of both extended battery life and high performance mobile computing has seemed like a pipe dream, and even the most recent updates to 'switchable graphics' left much to be desired in terms of the user experience. Having both an integrated and discrete graphics chip in your notebook does little good if you never switch between the two. Optimus allows the system to seamlessly and instantly change between IGP and discrete NVIDIA GPUs based on the task being run, including games, GPU encoding or Flash video playback. Using new software and hardware technology, notebooks using Optimus can power on and pass control to the GPU in a matter of 300ms and power both the GPU and PCIe lanes completely off when not in use. This can be done without being forced to reboot or even close out your applications, making it a hands-free solution for the customer."

Comments

VOODOO

[Hodr]

I knew if I just held off upgrading my Orchid Righteous 3d (Voodoo 1) card long eoungh discrete 3d cards would become relavent again. You guys with your fancy Banshee cards can suck it.

Re:VOODOO

[Tetsujin]

oh happy memories.
I'm sure you're finding the massive 640x480 resolution just as awesome as I do.

Well, you're clearly not aware of the nature of the sham that pervades high-resolution graphics.

For instance, graphics hardware manufacturers will happily tell you that a resolution like 1920 x 1080 has nearly seven times as many pixels as 640 x 480. But what they don't tell you is that all of these pixels are a whole hell of a lot smaller than the ones on your good old VGA monitor! With my monitor, I may not have a lot of pixels, but I'm damn sure I'm getting my money's worth out of every single one!

Crap

[Anonymous Coward]

Transformers jokes aside

This article is ruined for me :(

no transformers jokes?

[DJCouchyCouch]

But that's my Prime form of entertainment!

Re:no transformers jokes?

[twentynine]

You might wanna Jazz up that joke a little bit...

What a relief

[s2theg]

"Optimus can power on and pass control to the GPU in a matter of 300ms"

That's good. I'm tired of finishing before my video player can render the first frame.

Re:I like my desktop.

[vlm]

I guess when they have dual CPU notebooks with full size keyboards and 21" displays, I might be more interested in them. But I'd also want solid state hard drives and hdmi cables to wire them to the TV...

But... But ... But ... Marketing told me you guys wanted postage stamp size touch sensitive screens, batteries that last two hours, and 3 second e-ink refresh rates. And its gotta use a cloud, whatever that is. And an app store, gotta have an app store. I guess you must be wrong.

Re:I like my desktop.

[Chris Burke]

Here's the crazy part. I don't even care about battery life or even having a battery. I just want something I can plug in wherever.

Sounds good, as long as we don't let the folks in the adult novelty department get word of it.

Re:I like my desktop.

[datapharmer]

NO NO NO! You can't do that! You'll fry the thing with static electricity, coffee, and dust. Everyone true nerd knows you've got to brown bag it. That's right, a quick trip to the feed supply for a burlap sack and you are working with some serious overclocking potential. It is breathable, protects from dust and light spills, and you can hatch chick on the heat sink...