[bulug] Lenovo Thinkpad T510

I'm wondering if anyone on this list has a Lenovo Thinkpad T510. I'm
looking to purchase this laptop, but it can come with our without NVIDIA
Optimus. There is no price difference between the two models, and I'm
trying to decide between the two options.

I'm wondering if someone can let me know whether there is a setting in
the BIOS that lets you pick between "Integrated", "Discrete", or
"Optimus" graphics. I have looked online (and I'm waiting for a reply to
my request to Lenovo), but I can't seem to get a decisive answer.

I ask because I plan on dual-booting with Windows 7 and Ubuntu, but
Optimus isn't supported by Linux, and it doesn't look like that will
change any time in the near future. Most reports online say that Linux
will only be able to use the integrated graphics on a laptop with
Optimus, and that even if you have a setting in your BIOS, it will only
let you disable the discrete graphics (so you chose between "Integrated"
and "Optimus"). However, a few people have mentioned that in the Lenovo
Thinkpad T510 there is a setting in the BIOS that will let you disable
optimus and use only the *discrete* graphics, and I believe in this case
you could use the discrete graphics card under Linux.

It's a free upgrade, so if I can guarantee that I'll be able to
disable it until the Linux community figures out how to support it, then
I'll get it. However, if it means I'll be unable to use the graphics
card under Linux, then I'll go without.

- Ben

-- 
Benjamin Kraus
bkraus@xxxxxx
Ph.D. Candidate
Biomedical Engineering Department
Boston University College of Engineering
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