T410s Switchable Graphics.

[swerrrvin]

I was pleasantly surprised to see Lenovo would be putting switchable graphics (SG) on the T410s', surprised almost to the point of cautious skepticism... Being an update to the already great T400s, even without SG this machine rocks, but with it...boy oh boy, as long as it doesn't affect battery life!

Anyways, having waited long and patiently for the T410s to be released, I impulsively ordered a couple on Thursday (1/7). Initial ship date was 1/19. I was a bit confused with the fact that some places on Lenovo's site were showing SG and others weren't. Specifically, the pre-release CES announcement said SG, the technical specs page says SG, but the customization pages, the order page, and the Lenovo tech doc (tabook) do not mention SG. Also, I called and checked on my order and they said the T410s' do have SG.

I just checked the status of my order and this page shows this item listed under the T410s':

60Y6832 SBB NVDNVSSG256MB,IC2DPI5-540M

Could that be NVDia NVSXXX SG(Switchable Graphics) 256meg? I don't know about you guys but this could be good news for others like me hoping for SG on this sweet machine. Unfortunately, my ship date's been pushed back to 2/12.

As I find out more, I'll keep everyone informed. I'll try and post a review when/if they arrive too.

Swerrrvin

[t001]

Please do post reviews when you get yours. I'm especially interested in T410s' battery life over that of the T400s now that it's gone to a 35w i5 vs. the 25w SP processors.

[Vempele]

Please do post reviews when you get yours. I'm especially interested in T410s' battery life over that of the T400s now that it's gone to a 35w i5 vs. the 25w SP processors.

Note the 35W includes the memory controller and the graphics chip. The TDP of the processor+chipset configuration is actually about a watt less than with SP9x00.

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37 ... odes=SLGER
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43 ... LBPF,SLBPG

[ducky2802]

Thats awesome! I just saw the specs on the machine and noticed the same Nvidia 3100 advertised on both the T410 and T410s.

If you are getting a switchable gpu, I AM SOOOOO BUYING THE T410s!!!!!!!!

Let us have some favorable news soon (or for my wallets sake, please dont!)

NVM, I looked up the tabook and confirms a Feb 10 release date, but all are integrated GPU and no mention of Nvidia at all!

[swerrrvin]

Yeah, I'm pretty stoked about the switchable graphics (SG) too.

Anyone else notice that the T410s can no longer be configured with the i5-540M? My ship date's still 2/12 though...

[zhenya]

Yeah, I am preparing to possibly buy several T410s laptops, but I see no options for upgrading the cpu or adding switchable graphics. I'd probably take advantage of both, if offered.

[ducky2802]

Just got the new T410s at school... gonna try on Tuesday to see if they have a demo unit!

Intel Core i5 processor 2.53Hz 3MBL3, 6GB PC3-8500 RAM, Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit, NVIDIA NVS 516MB, UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader, DVDRW 128B HD Solid State, 14.1” WXGA+ TFT with LED Backlight Screen, Wireless 802.11N, 3.9 lbs, Bluetooth, 6-Cell Li-Ion Battery, SATA port, 3-Year Depot Warranty with Accidental Damage Protection.

Confirmed through Lenovo tech that the T410s will have switchable gpu. Now to start saving up cause Im gonna be broke swapping out hardware this year

[ljwobker]

Just so everyone understands: you cannot add discrete graphics without also increasing the power draw (which means reduced battery life).

The advantages of a discrete GPU are obvious -- but this *is* an additional chip, and those chips require additional power.

Lenovo has some pretty sweet tricks, but they can't (yet) violate the laws of physics.

[ryan1212]

I heard a rumor a while back that the new dock for the t410 will contain a second GPU and be switchable?

[ronan_zj]

LOL, How come your T410s has 6GB memory????

Intel Core i5 processor 2.53Hz 3MBL3, 6GB PC3-8500 RAM, Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit, NVIDIA NVS 516MB, UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader, DVDRW 128B HD Solid State, 14.1” WXGA+ TFT with LED Backlight Screen, Wireless 802.11N, 3.9 lbs, Bluetooth, 6-Cell Li-Ion Battery, SATA port, 3-Year Depot Warranty with Accidental Damage Protection.

[ducky2802]

[quote="ronan_zj"]LOL, How come your T410s has 6GB memory????

You know, I didnt ask! Sadly, the spec sheets reads one thing, but this particular model (due to price) has to be ordered so no demo unit to verify. They have the T410 out and it just feels big!

[keylimesoda]

Just got off the phone with the Lenovo rep, asking about T410s + Nvidia graphics.

He indicated that models containing Nvidia graphics were not currently available, but should be available in the 2nd quarter (April at the earliest).

So, I don't know about you folks, but I'm content to wait with my T60p until I can get a T410s with Nvidia discrete graphics.

[swerrrvin]

Lenovo has been all over the place in regards to the t410s in general and all over the universe in regards specifically to the switchable graphics models. I originally ordered three loaded t410s with switchable graphics on 1/7. I've had my order ship date updated four times (1/19, 1/26, 2/12, and just today to 2/13). I've been told by my sales rep that switchable graphics would be available as early as mid-February to as late as early March. Now, I read that switchable graphics won't be available until April. I've concluded that the sales reps just do not know...

However, I am a bit encouraged today as my ship date just changed from 2/12 to 2/13. A one day change seems either incredibly absurd in that it will never be met, or incredibly realistic in that the parts that Lenovo was waiting for just came in and it's gonna take them an additional day to put the machines together and get them out the door. Boy oh boy, the plot keeps thickening...

[swerrrvin]

Order date was pushed back to 4/21 today. I've canceled the order.

[ducky2802]

I just got my hands on a T410s in the flesh, right next to a T410 (both display models).

The current T410s does NOT have switchable graphics (intel only). The bookstore said at least another month or so before they will sell the T410s with switchable Nvidia GPUs.

But just holding the two, and doing a side by side comparison, the entire T410s is almost exactly the same dimension as the lower half of the T410-- that is, if you have a T410, hack off the LCD screen, and that base with the keyboard is the total thickness of the T410s. Impressive I thought, and seems to have slightly less bezel than the T410.