I found another reason one might want the NVIDIA graphics (which as it turned out, wasn't an option on the X220 but is on the T420, T420s, and T520).
One of the docking stations has 5 video ports. With Intel (shared) graphics, up to 2 external displays can be driven, with the ThinkPad dark. With NVIDIA Optimus graphics (which is what I think these T machines have), up to 3 external displays + 1 internal display can be driven. Specifically, from http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4TPJF4 ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 - 90W has 3 ports, up to 2 used simultaneously -- NVIDIA Optimus has TP display enabled, all others have TP display disabled. ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 - 90W/135W/170W has 5 ports, up to 3 used simultaneously -- NVIDIA Optimus has TP display enabled, all others have TP display disabled. ThinkPad Multiple Monitor Configurations: NVIDIA Optimus technology has more info at http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-76617 it's not entirely consistent with what I posted above from the docking stations page (says Mini Dock 3 supports 4 displays) but either way it's a practical argument for getting the NVIDIA graphics on machines where it's an option. Better than arguing it's for gaming. :) -- Andrew mailto:[email protected] Friday, June 17, 2011, 10:16:03 AM, Thibouille wrote: > * Graphics card is slowluy being used for other things than games > only. It may be used for anything from Photoshop, 3D software and > heavy computational applications (and even Win7 interface is graphics > accelerated). Well everything Math, CAD etc might benefit from it and > will more in the near future. I dunno if it fits your potential use > case but it is good to know. _______________________________________________ Thinkpad mailing list [email protected] http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad
