T410 switchable graphics?

[Txiasaeia]

Received my T410 today: i7, discrete Nvidia card, etc. Power Manager DOES allow me to switch between "high performance" and "energy saver" graphics modes -- discrete and integrated, in other words. I'm in Canada, so that might have something to do with it. Great system so far!

[Harryc]

OK, here' s the deal on T510's and T410's. Neither model shipped with switchable graphics. They shipped with either discrete or integrated, but not switchable. The version of power manager that shipped with these machines has the switch available, but it is non-functional. It is suggested to download the latest version of power manager from Lenovo to get the correct functionality. In other words the latest power manager takes the non-functional switch away. This is worldwide...has nothing to do with US and non-US.

[jrcade]

OK, here' s the deal on T510's and T410's. Neither model shipped with switchable graphics. They shipped with either discrete or integrated, but not switchable. The version of power manager that shipped with these machines has the switch available, but it is non-functional. It is suggested to download the latest version of power manager from Lenovo to get the correct functionality. In other words the latest power manager takes the non-functional switch away. This is worldwide...has nothing to do with US and non-US.

So are you saying that the new software WILL allow for switchable? I postponed ordering a new T410 with discrete graphics because Lenovo told me it was a feature that was not on the current machines, but would be coming in March possibly.

Bottom line...is it a hardware or software issue (Lenovo suggested it was hardware)? I want the T410, but definitely want switchable and am willing to wait, but would love to order now if all I have to do is update software on arrival.

Thanks!

[Harryc]

It has nothing to do with software other than the Power Manager that ships with current 410's and 510's incorrectly shows a switchable graphics function because the hardware does not support it. Lenovo has not released plans to distribute switchable graphics in either the T410 or T510. Will that happen in the future? IMHO that is not likely but it's anyones guess. Even the currently released T410s's (with an S) do not have it, but if you are waiting for a switchable graphics model, that might be the one to keep an eye on.

[Dead1nside]

Switchable graphics was the future in my mind. I wouldn't go back to just discrete or just integrated, the choice is great. Ultimately a software switch and BIOS switch are the best options. I don't see why they didn't include it. Especially if the graphics are now integrated on to the same physical package.

Support for switchable graphics was just beginning to come along under Linux anyway.

T410s were looking quite attractive to me, not that I am in a situation to upgrade right now. DisplayPort and VGA was the real big bonus, LED backlight as standard also but this is a bit of a killer. Nvidia graphics for me are a turn off, as well.

[Navck]

Warning: Large image!
Yes, I have discrete graphics, parts of desktop removed for privacy concerns.
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7721/dataexpunged.jpg (446kb, WXGA+)

[jrcade]

Warning: Large image!
Yes, I have discrete graphics, parts of desktop removed for privacy concerns.
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7721/dataexpunged.jpg (446kb, WXGA+)

Thanks, Navck, for the screen shot. So what are you telling us? That even though the T410 does not have switchable graphics, the battery life is still stellar?

What are your system specs? Processor/graphics card/battery type?

Thanks!

[Navck]

Yes the battery life is stellar as long as:
The GPU stays at the low 2D clockspeeds (I need to find a way to lock it down)
You kill off services you don't need (IE: Parental controls, read about the services in services.msc)

System is a 2516-CTO (T410 Elite)
Screen is WXGA+ LED screen, very bright but still miss the nice viewing angles and lack of contrast shift from Flexview screen on my T43
i7-620m
7200RPM HDD option, appears to be Hitachi drive
2GB RAM, added 2GB more myself
Win7-32 Ultimate
Intel Ultimate 6300 Wireless card
GPU is the NVS3100m/310m/GTX218/Quadro FX880m/"Whatever NVIDIA decides to call it"/Mystery Meat to the best of my knowledge
9 cell battery

Also, my system idles around 520-580MB of RAM, just for contrast for those people who have Vista-64/Win7-64 somehow consuming 8GB out of 12GB of RAM on their desktops...

[SYU]

my first post here ; please forgive for bad text and not proper grammer hjere

t4x0 & T5x0 = switchable debate here I read for long time , promted me to help few people. NOPE i dont work for LENOVO, but working a VALID DISTRIBUTOR ofLenovo Systems in ASIA.

a) power manager is software ONLY = written for and ONLY FOR JAPAN >coperate market< normal user cannot order these 'switcable graphics' for use at home. To get this order = 1000+ systems for company use only!

b) Lenovo do not sell T series to general public on vary good reason. Its BUSINESS MARKET major users need.

c)I have buy for American market in China before and ship to USA&Canada but do not recommend this. When rapir time , the repair cmpany will add 'generic system baord' that usa/canada has - but if even u order 1000+ units , you still not get valid WARRANTY SERVICE in USA , as this machine for JAPAN ONLY , due to issue with japanese characters in some applications for windows.

Hope this help ,not hinder people . T series 4/5x0 is nice machine
thank you

[anthean]

None of this is very consistent. I suspect we are all just viewing small pieces of the puzzle. My guess:

1. The T410s with discrete graphics is delayed for a number of reasons, among them that Lenovo is having trouble getting the software for switchable graphics to work.

2. The T410 with discrete graphics was intended to be switchable, but so far is not.

3. That when Lenovo finds an adequate solution for the T410s, this solution will also work on the T410 with discrete graphics.

4. But this may be longer than any of us anticipate. And may or may not be offered to previous sales of the T410--obviously, much depends on whether the solution is pure software or involves hardware changes as well.

[undoIT]

I just checked the Canada site and it is the same as what is listed on the US site (only integrated graphics). This is ridiculous, it has been more than a month and there still isn't a switchable graphics option. Lenovo should at least update their website to remove references to "switchable graphics" until it is actually available.

Does anyone have any updated information on when the T410s is expected to begin shipping with switchable graphics?

[Harryc]

See Matt Kohut's blog at the following link, specifically the section entitled Calpella Switchable Graphics.
http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=406

Basically what Matt is saying is that if you purchase a T410s with discrete (not integrated) graphics it will be switchable. He is Lenovo's Worldwide Competitive Analyst. I'd take his word for it. Unfortunately that discrete GPU model T410s is not available yet, in the US anyway...thus my earlier comment applies, "Even the currently released T410s's (with an S) do not have it, but if you are waiting for a switchable graphics model, that might be the one to keep an eye on."

[undoIT]

See Matt Kohut's blog at the following link, specifically the section entitled Calpella Switchable Graphics.
http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=406

Basically what Matt is saying is that if you purchase a T410s with discrete (not integrated) graphics it will be switchable. He is Lenovo's Worldwide Competitive Analyst. I'd take his word for it.

There is no T410s with discrete graphics card option and as far as I know, this has never available. Only the T410 has discrete graphics.

[Harryc]

True, but if you are waiting for a switchable graphics model, T410s might be the one to keep an eye on. No timeframe given. Believe me, I got this information from folks in the know. I thought the most interesting statement in Matts blog was that T410, T510, and W510 will never have supported switchable graphics from Lenovo, but (the discrete GPU models) might be hackable. I wonder how long that will take to hack ...

[undoIT]

True, but if you are waiting for a switchable graphics model, T410s might be the one to keep an eye on. No timeframe given. Believe me, I got this information from folks in the know. I thought the most interesting statement in Matts blog was that T410, T510, and W510 will never have supported switchable graphics from Lenovo, but might be hackable. I wonder how long that will take to hack ...

Yep, I've been waiting more than 6 months for the T410s, ever since I got info that these models were in the works. Just kind of hard to be patient when it is delayed another month+ after launch and they don't even have the switchable graphics models available for pre-order yet. Who knows how long the shipping delay is going to be once they are ready for purchase.

As for the T410, it seems like it would be rather difficult to add in the extra circuitry, hack the bios etc. I definitely would not buy a T410 with the hopes that I could figure out a way to hack it so that it is switchable.

[Harryc]

Well, happy waiting...or not ...

[undoIT]

Thanks

I currently own two laptops which are perfectly fine so it is no big hurry. Just having those geekly upgrade cravings and getting tired of being left dangling with no idea when these are going to be out. I guess at least it is confirmed that the T410s will indeed have switchable graphics.

[ausmike]

I'm very sure ......>>... Lenovo would be shooting their selves in the foot and leaving a gaping hole for a potential class action lawsuit if they were wrong on their website.

Class action !!! < ..... who waan start one ? lol

if so , my view = returned 14 t400 & 400s to get your money back on sytems ....

BUT !!! ...if someone wants me in ,,, am ok to do whats needed to 'show me the money' from LENOVO , for my waisted time spent & frustrations with T400s &400(s) models