switchable graphics in new latitude Exxx series?

AFAIK these new latitude laptops are based on Montevina platform, right?

Montevina supports so called "switchable graphics" where you have two graphics cards, one integrated and one discrete. Platform allows you to switch the graphic card being used run-time [1]. Do these new notebooks have this feature?


1. http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com/watch?v=zfcTPfNNppQ

 

Afaik No
this option is avaliable on Sony Z and Lenovo T400

 

Keep in mind that under Windows XP, you have to reboot to switch graphics controllers. Kind of negates the benefit IMHO.

 

Are you positive that is the case on the T400 as well?

 

The new thinkpads don't have to reboot, no. What I've heard is that it's just a little software toggle that causes the screen to go black for a couple seconds. He did say with XP, so maybe in XP you have to reboot whereas you don't in Vista.

 

Kevin, who is reviewing the T400 for NBR, said that the T400 can seamlessly switch between the X4500HD integrated and the ATI 3470 dedicated. Although not user controlled, it does it without any screen image loss as specified by your power saving settings (I.E. goes to integrated when unplugged).

 

But this was with Vista, XP might not be able to do it?

 

XP requires a reboot for switching graphics.

 

What is this answer based on? Personal experience, web article, another newsgroup post, etc?

I'm not challenging your answer, but knowing the source would nice.

 

Take a look at the Sony SZ series. They've had dual graphics for a long time, and never got XP to do it.

Problem is that you have to switch display drivers in mid-flight, which XP cannot do.