Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

aurelije · 2011-08-20 15:09:17

Hi!

I'm looking for new notebook. I have 2 candidates, both are Sandy Bridge so I am afraid that Arch will have problem with GPU.

My first candidate is Lenovo IdeaPad y570. Specification is:
i7 2630QM processo
HM65 Express Chipset
nVidia GeForce GT 555 discrete GPU with optimus

Lenovo has a button to switch off and on discrete GPU.

My second candidate is HP ProBook 6560b with following spec:
i5 2520M processor
HM65 Express Chipset
AMD Mobility Radeon™ HD 6470

I don't know if it is possible to switch off discrete GPU in BIOS

What should I expect from these laps? Which one is more likely to work with less problems?

I do not need discrete GPU since I won't play games. I just need fast and stable laptop for heavy development and long lasting battery. But flickering, low resolution or any other problem with X.org should not happen.

Thanks!

Last edited by aurelije (2011-08-20 16:17:02)

karol · 2011-08-20 15:17:19

Why not pick something w/ Intel IGP? The processors have an integrated graphics card and it should be enough.
Both optimus and ATI would cause you problems or at least decrease battery life.

aurelije · 2011-08-20 15:58:15

Thanks karol,

If I understood you correctly I should choose notebook without discrete GPU, Sandy Bridge processor is enough?

I'm little bit confused with term integrated GPU, is that means GPU inside of processor or GPU integrated on motherbord?

So if I find notebook with sandy bridge and for GPU specification stands:
processor: some Sandy Bridge
chipset: Intel® HM65 Express Chipset,
GPU: integrated
GPU details: Intel HD Graphics 3000

Is this integrated graphics card you are talking about?

I don't really need discrete GPU, just if I want to by a modern and good notebook I will get discrete GPU as a bundle, together with all kind of problems

karol · 2011-08-20 16:04:41

Yes, Sandy Bridge is what I had in mind. As they are fairly new, you have to check how good are the Linux drivers for those processors.

examon · 2011-08-20 16:16:53

I have ThinkPad X201i.. it has Intel i3 (not Sandy Bridge) and Intel HD Graphics integrated in i3... It has enough power for everything except videogames + battery life is better with integrated graphics..

Sandy Bridge CPU's got better power so graphics is also better... and they work with linux very good..

dschrute · 2011-08-20 16:31:40

I just replaced an old HP dv1000 with a ThinkPad E420, SandyBridge i5 etc. Nothing fancy, but plenty of power and everything is working with minimal effort.

jaco · 2011-08-20 16:33:14

I second that (mine is a HP ProBook 6360B and all works out of the box)

aurelije · 2011-08-20 16:56:16

@jaco: I just looked at HP ProBook 6360 specifications, it use integrated GPU. I found complaints on HP support forum that ProBook with discrete GPU doesn't have option in BIOS to turn it off.

ssijak · 2011-08-21 12:41:34

I just installed arch on i7 sandy bridge. Everything running smooth. I use integrated Intel graphic chip and Gnome 3 is runing smootly. Install very easy. I can use NVIDIA GPU on demand with Bumblebee.

jaco · 2011-08-21 12:52:29

aurelije wrote:

@jaco: I just looked at HP ProBook 6360 specifications, it use integrated GPU..

Yes, i know : i've chosen this model for this exact reason... I don't need a discrete GPU as i don't play games and i prefer autonomy and compatibilty with Linux or other Free OS... (Intel drivers are free -- that's not the case with NVidia one and ATI firmware is, at best, crappy).

This GPU is perfect, even to watch HD movies. And, at home, it drives without any problem an external 23" LCD at 1920x1080

Last edited by jaco (2011-08-21 13:02:18)

BimoZX · 2011-08-28 15:19:06

I know this is not one of your candidate, but with the price range of both of your candidate, you should choose
either thinkpad X220 or T420, 12inch and 14inch respectively. Since only thinkpad support the tp_smapi package
which provide the battery_threshold feature that lets you stop the battery from charging, which result in longer
lifetime of your battery.

You can also install TLP which provide more battery saving feature, And most of all it just works.

Try to refrain from buying the Edge series, at least in my experience the LCD is botched after 1year+
of usage, maybe it is one of those 1 in a million thing, but it is hard not to mention the fact.

Then again it's your choice.

Last edited by BimoZX (2011-09-02 14:14:20)

.:B:. · 2011-08-28 15:40:18

i3 380M here, the on-die GPU works just fine. Sandy Bridge shouldn't be much of a problem, if you don't need a discrete GPU, save yourself the money, you can get a better laptop with longer battery time for the same price.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-08-20 15:09:17

Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#2 2011-08-20 15:17:19

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#3 2011-08-20 15:58:15

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#4 2011-08-20 16:04:41

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#5 2011-08-20 16:16:53

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#6 2011-08-20 16:31:40

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#7 2011-08-20 16:33:14

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#8 2011-08-20 16:56:16

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#9 2011-08-21 12:41:34

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#10 2011-08-21 12:52:29

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#11 2011-08-28 15:19:06

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

#12 2011-08-28 15:40:18

Re: Choosing notebook with Sandy Brigde processor and discrete GPU

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