Do I even need discrete with the T410?

When I was in the market last year, I noticed some shortcomings with integrated graphics with the T400, I think among them was that it could only display up to a single-link DVI connection's worth of resolution (1920x1200) and also was limited to a single display.

It appears that the new integrated graphics changes all that, plus both the new dock and the T410 itself has a displayport (finally a digital video out on both!):
http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/quick-reference-guide-to-intel-integrated-graphics/

I only have a single UXGA display now, but I wanted to be flexible for a future upgrade up to dual WUXGA or WQUXGA without having to buy a new laptop (though I'd probably never care to spend that much, or need it, I also got a KVM switch that has to be 4-ports I need to convert!). Integrated graphics now provides that. Both Lenovo and Intel seem to be in agreement with this fact. And it's not like it can't do 3D, just not very fast, though hopefully the 620M helps here.

Thinking of my usage, I don't play games (nor do I even own a console, nor care to) and the most graphic intensive real application I used that utilized 3D is Google Earth. In fact, my biggest concern is battery life and so as it hardware decodes HD codecs.

I'm looking through potential uses of 3D other than games. I don't CAD, make movies, no scientific uses...
Is there anything at all I might be missing with discrete graphics? Are most people getting discrete graphics placing a high emphasis on this because they play games on their Thinkpads?

Otherwise, the exact laptop I want ships in 13 days. Considering I'm interested in a mainstream business 14" laptop, I've already narrowed down my choices to model and brand...

 

I've been thinking the same thing as you. If you aren't going to run games or do CAD, there is really no purpose for a discrete card anymore. The new Intel "HD" IGP is capable of decoding two simultaneous 1080P video sources, will support GPU flash acceleration when Adobe released 10.1, and will is compatible with all open GPGPU instructions such as OpenCL and DirectCompute. And the power draw will be a ton lower.

 

can you cite where you heard the intel GPU can do open CL?

I cant find anything.

unless people need CUDA the intel should do fine. (intel = 12 shader units, nvidia= 8 or 16)

 

Does anyone know if the DisplayPort on the laptop and dock can be used at the same time as the laptop screen to display 3 screens?

One of the weaknesses of prior integrated graphics solutions from Intel (e.g. in the R61 with the X3100) was that if you had the integrated graphics, the dock port was not usable.

I would love to be able to use the Screen, the DisplayPort and a dock with the DisplayPort simultaneously.

I cannot yet find datasheets for the new models.

 

you only can drive two monitors at any one time.

 

I don't recall where I read it but it makes logical sense. OpenCL is an open standard, and not tied to any proprietary hardware. Intel is already a supporting "member" of the standard. Also, Intel IGPs are by far the most ubiquitous graphics solution on the market. Once GPGPU does take off, I doubt developers will be willing to leave the majority of the computer market in the cold.

 

A lot of tech-savvy people keep telling me that just around the corner, there will be a lot of 3D technology applied to things we dont use it for now, including more web applications including video.

So it depends on your outlook for this purchase. If you want to keep it for 2-3-4 years, its always wise to stuff it to the gills, dont skimp on specs. If its for one year or so, sure you dont care if its integrated or not.

 

for a couple hundred bucks, they are switchable anyway so why not.

The new intel GPU is supposed to be impressive however, someone "told" me that that the arrandale gpu is comparable to an nvidia 9800, but don't quote me on that because I dont know the actual source of the benchmark.

 

That's why. And besides, I do not think the T410 has switchable graphics. Only the T410s will have it.

If you do not need a discrete graphics card (by the usage you mention, you do not), then by all means go with the integrated graphics version. You will get a quieter, cooler-running machine that lasts longer on battery. And you'll save yourself some money.

The new integrated graphics is better, but it's nowhere near an Nvidia 9800GT.

 

I thought the new i5 with dedicated gpu has switchable graphics built-in?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...le,2522-3.html

 

Well, its possible. I don't know if that means supporting it is something that needs extra chips on the MB or not. If it ends up just being a bios or software mod that needs to be done to turn it on, I suspect it would be very easy to turn non-switchable models into switchable models.

 

the new intel graphics are at most equal to an nvidia 210m, I doubt its that fast. It should be safe to say its about 2x as fast as the previous gen 4500mhd