For more information, join the team subscribe to the mailing list 
at the bottom of the Launchpad page

    http://launchpad.net/~hybrid-graphics-linux 

Please join this team if you are new by clicking on the "Join 
Team" link at the right of the Launchpad page. It's important to 
have as many users in the community as possible to request for 
appropriate support.

Friday 29 July 2011

VDPAU Linux hybrid graphics: Integrating bumblebee and hybrid-windump

Work is underway to develop the hybrid-windump solution within bumblebee to have VDPAU working in Linux hybrid graphics laptops.

Although there are still issues with the nvidia binary packages, the solution seems to be near:

http://github.com/MrMEEE/bumblebee/issues/531

Thursday 28 July 2011

MSI GE620DX @ www.engadget.com

MSI outs its latest GE620DX gaming laptop, orcs prepare for virtual slaughter

Spilled Mountain Dew on your last laptop during that marathon session of Starcraft II? MSI's got your back buddy, with its newly announced GE620DX. There's a serious bit of dedicated gaming punch lying under this notebook's brushed metal finish thanks to its 2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M card and the audio tag team of MSI Premium Sound and THX's True Studio Pro. In addition to its 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 HD display, this "dream machine" sports a 720p camera, an HDMI out port and USB 3.0. The company's also thrown in a GPU Boost feature, which frees up the internal graphics chip should you be running any graphics-intensive apps. Unfortunately, your zerg Swarm-slaying hands will have to wait for an official price and retail date, but when you do get a hold of it, make sure to keep that caffeinated brew far from the keyboard.

Friday 22 July 2011

Help Needed: Anybody got a Toshiba Satellite...

Help Needed:
Anybody got a Toshiba Satellite P750 (P750/02J) running Linux that could upload the ACPI info as explained here?


http://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/752542

To compile your DSDT and SSDTs information, install if you haven't already the acpidump and iasl tools:

sudo apt-get install acpidump iasl
### or
sudo yum install pmtools iasl

Then run the following commands on a bash terminal:

mkdir ~/acpiinfo ; cd ~/acpiinfo
sudo acpidump > acpidump.txt
# enter password
sudo acpixtract acpidump.txt
ls *.dat | while read i; do iasl -d "${i}"; done
name=`sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name`
mkdir "${name}" && cp *.dsl "${name}"/
tar czf "${name}.tar.gz" "${name}"/ && ls -l "$( pwd )/${name}".tar.gz

This will create a tar.gz file that you can attach to the bug report.
Finally, for posting the information in the bug report, you can check the laptop and graphics card model identifiers with these commands:

sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name && sudo dmidecode -s system-version
lspci -vnnn | perl -lne 'print if /^\d+\:.+(\[\S+\:\S+\])/' | grep VGA

This information will allow the full development of hybrid graphics features for Linux. Thanks for your help!
Bug #752542 in Launchpad Bug Reporter: "ACPI DSDT info"
Log in / Register. A Bug reporter module for your hosted Launchpad project. Overview; Code; Bugs; Blueprints; Translations; Answers. ACPI DSDT info. Launchpad Bug Reporter; Bugs; Bug #752542. Reported...
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Wednesday 20 July 2011

HP to offer a switch for their line of HP AMD BACON hybrid laptops

Our team member E. P. has pointed out that HP will issue a BIOS update that will allow users to switch from the default Dynamic mode to Fixed mode in HP AMD BACON hybrid graphics laptops:

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Display-and-Video/Official-HP-statement-on-Switchable-Graphics-and-Open-GL/td-p/766285

We understand that there is a concern about switchable graphics and OpenGL functionality.

 

Switchable Graphics:

HP has a document about how to configure the ATI® Mobility Radeon® Switchable graphics feature. This

document also describes the differences between fixed and dynamic switchable graphic modes and how

to use each effectively.

See: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=c02731962

 

Open GL Functionality:

To operate certain OpenGL applications, you will need to install the latest graphics driver (SP 53025)

which can be found here: ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp53001-53500/sp53025.exe . This download

provides Intel Graphics Driver version 8.15.10.2219 to support the Intel GPU in HP notebooks with

switchable graphics. The AMD graphics card in newer HP Pavilion dv6 and dv7 Series models may not

run certain Open GL software.

 

Update: There is a BIOS update in the works that will allow you to switch from the default Dynamic mode to Fixed mode. Switching to Fixed Mode will allow you to run Open GL programs on the AMD Radeon graphics processor. We will let you know as soon as this is available.

Sunday 17 July 2011

Acer TravelMate 8481 with nvidia optimus @ www.engadget.com

Acer TravelMate 8481 lands late August, £700 price tag in tow

Back in May, we caught a glimpse of Acer's TravelMate 8481, rocking an extra thin bezel and 13 hours of battery life for the road-weary sojourner. At the time, Acer was touting a mid-June launch, but we've just received word that the Core i7-packing notebook won't make it into carry-ons until late August. As of now, we've only got UK pricing -- £699, to be exact -- leading us to wonder when the thing will make the journey stateside. As per usual, we will keep you abreast of the details as they roll in. Until then, you can peep the full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Acer TravelMate 8481
The ultimate road-smart companion


London, 15th July 2011 – Professionals spending most of their working life on the go need a notebook that is up to any challenge. A notebook capable of combining top performance with optimal security and extended battery life. Add to the mix a slim and light design and you have the TravelMate 8481, a true road warrior.

With the TravelMate 8481 there is no need to make compromises. First of all, it deliver all the power required for serious business on-the-go via the 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processors that not only allows to run business productivity applications 60% faster than the previous generation, but it delivers smart performance that adapts to the task at hand, enabling more responsive multitasking while ensuring energy efficiency.

Furthermore, thanks to Intel® HD Graphics 3000 the new model provides an impressive visual performance for sharper images and richer color. Using Intel® Wireless Display technology, it can share presentations or videos on HD displays or TVs via an easy to set up wireless connection. Smooth HD video playback and exceptionally clear image and sound will make any presentation really impressive.

The TravelMate 8481 is also available with discreet graphic options. Featuring NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology, NVIDIA GPUs boost graphic performance without impacting on battery life. In addition, multi-monitor support takes productivity to the next level, allowing easier multitasking.

Thursday 14 July 2011

Asus U41SV hybrid graphics linux -- acpi_call DSDT info

One of the team members posted the DSDT info for a ASUS U41SV laptop. The two calls to turn on/off the card are like this:
                                                    \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.GFX0.DOFF
                                                    \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.GFX0.DON
Code snippet:
        If (LEqual (_T_0, 0x03))
                                        {
                                            And (Local0, 0x03, Local0)
                                            If (LEqual (Local0, 0x01))
                                            {
                                                \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.GFX0.DON ()
                                                Return (0x01)
                                            }
                                            Else
                                            {
                                                If (LEqual (Local0, 0x02))
                                                {
                                                    \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.GFX0.DOFF ()
                                                    Return (0x00)
                                                }
                                                Else
                                                {
                                                    Return (\_SB.PCI0.PEG0.GFX0.DSTA ())
                                                }
                                            }
                                            Return (0x01)
                                        }

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Sony VAIO Z series 2011 includes hybrid graphics option via a docking station

For the seasoned Linux users, the Sony VAIO Z series has seen 3 updates in the last 3 years, the sony-vaioz-09, sony-vaioz-10, and now the sony-vaioz-11, sporting a docking station with a discrete AMD graphics card:

 

 

Sony’s New VAIO Z Series Is Available Now, Lightest 13-inch High Performance Notebook

Sony’s much anticipated VAIO Z Series ultraportable notebooks have arrived. This new VAIO Z Series is touted as the “world’s lightest 13-inch standard voltage PC” and features an ultra slim design that’s thinner and lighter than the MacBook Air while packing in high performance specs with Intel’s latest Sandy Bridge Core i5 and i7 processors.

 

The new VAIO Z Series notebook is designed to work in tandem with a Power Media Dock that delivers the power of an AMD Radeon HD 6650M graphics card with 1GB VRAM, a slot loading optical drive, one USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, and VGA ports. Thanks to this pairing, the new Z Series is now a half pound lighter than its predecessor and weighs only 2.5 pounds.

The sleek chassis measures just 0.66-inch thin and is made of a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber. It is designed to be fully flat without any protruding ports or unnecessary seams. Battery life is rated for up to 8 hours and can be boosted to 16 hours with the purchase of an optional large-capacity sheet battery that attaches flush on the bottom.

The notebook is equipped with the latest Intel Sandy Bridge Core i5 and i7 processors that can be turbo boosted to 3.4GHz and has dual-channel SSD drives with RAID tehcnology. It also sports Intel’s Light Peak port, also known on Apple products as the Thunderbolt port, that promises up to 10Gbps of blazing fast bi-directional data transfer speeds.

Other things to note include the notebook’s 16:9 aspect ratio display that’s available in either 1920×1080 or 1600×900 resolution levels with anti-glare coating. The notebook comes in three colors carbon black, carbon indigo, and premium carbon black. It is available now for pre-orders at Sony’s website and retails starting at around $2000. 

ASUS U36JC from 4 to 7 hours of battery life with linux acpi_call

One of the linux hybrid graphics team members has reported that the ASUS U36JC laptop will go from 4 hours to 7 hours of battery life using acpi_call to switch on/off the nvidia card:

system-version
U36JC
1.0

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller [8086:0046] h(rev 18) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: nVidia Corporation GT218 [GeForce 310M] [10de:0a70] (rev ff) (prog-if ff

Monday 11 July 2011

Bumblebee for Ubuntu in two lines

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:mj-casalogic/bumblebee

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install bumblebee

Thursday 7 July 2011

Gateway laptops with nvidia optimus and AMD Fusion configurations @ www.engadget.com

Gateway updates its ID and NV laptops with USB 3.0, Sandy Bridge and Llano internals

Acer's had its day (or two) unveiling back-to-school laptops, and now it's its sister brand Gateway's turn. The outfit just announced the 15.6-inch NV series and the 14-inch ID47, both of which include USB 3.0 and a choice of Sandy Bridge processors. (In the case of that entry-level NV, you can also opt for one of AMD's fresh-off-the-line Llano chips.) But the company did more than just give its notebooks a spec bump -- it also tweaked their designs, adding a chiclet keyboard to the NV series, while the metal-clad ID's trackpad is 20 percent larger and no longer glows like a mood ring. The ID47 also has a 14-inch display crammed into a chassis usually paired with 13.3-inch panels, as well as a non-removable battery that promises up to eight hours of juice. (The NV is rated for up to four hours.) And, in an unusual twist, our friends in Canada will get additional choices, including a 15.6-inch version of the ID, as well as select models with NVIDIA Optimus. Both the ID47 and NV55 / NV57 are available now, with the ID starting at $629.99 and $799 Canadian, and the NV fetching $529.99 and $499 Canadian. Check out the various configurations after the break, with lots 'o photos below.

Update: Lots of you are asking about the screen resolution on these guys. It's not in the press release, but the answer is 1366 x 768, across the board.



Gateway ID47H03h ($799.00 Canadian, available in Canada)
  • 2.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5-2410M processor
  • 14-inch LED-backlit Display
  • NVIDIA GeForce Optimus GT 540M graphics with 1GB video memory
  • 6GB DDR3 RAM
  • 750GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive
  • Digital media card reader
  • 8X DVD-SuperMulti double-layer drive
  • 802.11b/g/n WiFi
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • 1.3 megapixel webcam
  • Dolby Home Theater v4 Audio Enhancement
  • Two stereo speakers
  • One USB 3.0 Port and twoUSB 2.0 Ports
  • One HDMI Port
  • Multi-gesture touchpad
  • Social Networks key
  • 6-cell Li-ion battery (6000 mAh)
  • Up to eight hours of battery life
  • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
  • Microsoft Office Starter 2010
  • Dimensions: 12.97 x 8.95 x .85-1.14 inches
  • 4.6 lbs.

Gateway ID57H03h ($899.99 Canadian, available in Canada)
  • 2.3GHz Intel dual-core Core i5-2410M processor
  • 15.6-inch LED-backlit Display
  • NVIDIA GeForce Optimus GT 540M Graphics with 2GB video memory
  • 8GB DDR3 RAM
  • 750GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive
  • Digital media card reader
  • 8X DVD-SuperMulti double-layer drive
  • 802.11b/g/n WiFi
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • 1.3 megapixel webcam
  • Dolby Home Theater v4 Audio Enhancement
  • Two stereo speakers
  • One USB 3.0 Port and twoUSB 2.0 Ports
  • One HDMI Port
  • Multi-gesture touchpad
  • Social Networks key
  • 6-cell Li-ion battery (6000 mAh)
  • Up to eight hours of battery life
  • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
  • Microsoft Office Starter 2010
  • Dimensions: 12.97 x 8.95 x .85-1.14 inches
  • 4.6 lbs.

Gateway NV55S05u ($629.99, available in the US)
  • 1.5GHz quad-core AMD A8-3500M APU ight LED-backlit Display
  • AMD A60M Fusion chipset
  • 6GB DDR3 RAM
  • AMD Radeon HD 6620G Graphics
  • 640GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive
  • 8X DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive
  • 802.11b/g/n WiFi
  • 1.3 Megapixel webcam
  • High-Definition Stereo Speakers
  • One USB 3.0 Port, and two USB 2.0 ports
  • One HDMI port with HDCP Support
  • Gateway MyBackup function key
  • Multi-gesture touchpad
  • Dedicated Numeric Keypad
  • Gateway Social Networks key
  • 6-cell Li-Ion (4400 mAh) battery
  • Up to four hours of battery life
  • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
  • Microsoft Office Starter 2010
  • Dimensions: 15 x 9.96 x .99-1.31 inches
  • 5.7 lbs.

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Acer Aspire TimelineX 3830T, 4830T, 5830T Notebooks @ www.ecoustics.com

Acer Aspire TimelineX 3830T, 4830T, 5830T Notebooks

Acer Aspire TimelineX 3830T Notebook

Acer updated its Aspire TimelineX series notebooks with a new sleek and stylish, thin and light design complemented by long battery life and the latest technology and new entertainment features, including Dolby Home Theater v4 Audio. 

The notebook's upscale look and feel centers around its uncluttered, elegant design. The notebooks have a clean layout with a large touchpad and chiclet keyboard to promote both enjoyment and productivity. Available in three sizes -- the 13.3-inch 3830T, 14-inch 4830T and 15.6-inch 5830T -- the designs measure about an inch thin and are very lightweight. 

Acer Aspire TimelineX

Powered by the latest second-generation Intel Core i5 and i3 processors with Turbo Boost technology. In addition, Acer PowerSmart Technology provides extra long battery uptime of up to nine hours on models with integrated graphics and up to eight hours for models with discrete graphics, as well as a long battery lifecycle of up to four years. 

Acer Aspire TimelineX

The new Aspire TimelineX notebook PCs are perfect for entertainment thanks to new High-Definition audio support with Dolby Home Theater v4 Audio that delivers crisp and clear sound through its two built-in 3DSonic Stereo speakers and when connected to a home theater system. The notebooks also have HDMI 1080p output, so customers can use a convenient single cable connection to deliver HD video and audio to an external source. In addition, the notebooks have a USB 3.0 port for fast transfers. Plus, the port can charge USB devices even when the notebook is turned off. 

The new Acer Aspire TimelineX models feature an HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit display with 16:9 HD True Cinematic View and excellent 1366x768 resolution for stunning clarity and viewing at any angle. Several models in the new line come with integrated NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M or 520M graphics with NVIDIA Optimus technology to deliver crystal-clear images, brilliant color and lifelike video while maximizing battery life. Additional models feature Intel HD Graphics to provide superb visual performance with sharp images and rich color. 

Acer Aspire TimelineX

The thin and light TimelineX Series is ideal for staying in touch on the go. The HD webcam has a high 1280x1024 resolution and is placed in the center of the notebook for convenient video-chatting and capturing photos and video. The built-in digital microphone supports the webcam to convey excellent voice quality, while minimizing background noise and echoes. All of the new models have 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi for connecting to wireless networks as well as Gigabit Ethernet LAN for a reliable wired connection. Also, many configurations include Bluetooth. 

Acer Aspire TimelineX

The Acer Aspire TimelineX 3830T thin and light notebook has a 13.1-inch display, weighs only 4.12 pounds and measures only 0.87-1.15 inches thin. Both the Acer TimelineX 4830T (14-inch screen, 4.88 pounds) and Acer Aspire TimelineX 5830T (15.6-inch screen, 5.6 pounds) come with integrated DVD drives and feature a dedicated numeric keypad for quick and easy number input. 

The new Acer Aspire TimelineX notebooks also come with Acer clear.fi, a cross-platform solution for media enjoyment and sharing with DLNA-compliant devices, so customers can easily access, store and enjoy digital media from almost anywhere in an office, home or from the cloud. 

Acer Aspire TimelineX

Price and AvailabilityThe Acer TimelineX Series notebooks are available at retailers now in the United States at Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices starting at $599.99, with standard one-year parts and labor warranty.

HP dv6z with hybrid crossfire @ www.engadget.com

HP Pavilion dv6z Quad laptop with AMD Llano

AMD's Llano platform might not satisfy everyone's power-lust when housed in a desktop, but stick one of these all-in-one beauties in a laptop and you're good to go. The new HP Pavilion dv6z Quad notebook -- one of 11 new Fusion-powered models from HP -- is a case in point, having just arrived at the company's online store. The base model promises battery life of up to almost six hours, "discrete-class" integrated Radeon graphics with 512MB of video memory, and a 1.4GHz quad-core processor that can be clocked up to 2.3GHz using AMD's Turbo technology. Oh yeah, and there's the real benefit of switching to AMD: that base configuration costs just $650, versus a minimum of $999 for the Intel-equipped dv6t. For the money, you'll also get 6GB of DDR3 memory, a 640GB 5400rpm HDD, a 1366 x 768 display (yes, a glossy one), HDMI output, and a pair of USB 3.0 ports in addition to two of the USB 2.0 variety. We ought to clarify that the sexy steel gray version on the left will cost you $25 extra, but hey, who wants to be "umber gray?"

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