Thinkpads Forum

I'm trying to order a ThinkPad T400 and if it eventually arrives, I plan on installing Windows XP Professional on it. How will this effect some of the features of the T400 (or modern laptops in general) like the dual core CPU and switching between integrated and discrete GPUs? Will XP be able to allow me to switch between the two GPU "modes" on the fly or will it require a reboot and changes in the BIOS or something? Also, will XP be able to take advantage of a dual core CPU? For example, if I am watching a DVD while chatting with someone on AIM - will AIM be using one core while the DVD is played on another?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I was thinking (after looking over all the work I'll need to do to install Windows XP and all the appropriate drivers) that maybe I should just order the T400 with Windows Vista Business 64. Any thoughts? My school will support Vista, so I don't think there will be a problem there and I do want to eventually upgrade to 8GB of RAM (when 4GB RAM chips are available for a cheap price in 2-3 years).

I have a T400 running XP. XP does not offer on the fly GPU switching. You would have to shut down make a BIOS change and then restart.

Your software and OS would use your CPU as needed.

I have to say that my T400 is the fastest ThinkPad I have. It is running a 2.8GHZ T9600 CPU. Doing anything is fast on this ThinkPad.

Brad

Ok, thanks for the information...I was afraid of hearing about XP not allowing on the fly GPU switching.