Macbook Pros 330m GPU Switching "Issue"

[Mr. Gibs]

The idea, of course, is that the computer is supposed to automatically manage when it moves between the relatively meek integrated Intel graphics and the more powerful discrete silicon based on need, but "need" is a relative term. Intel's graphics sip power, but they're actually less capable than the 9400m integrated graphics from the last generation, so there's a real demand for discrete in graphically-intense situations. Apple's switching technology looks at how an application is built, picking up on what "Core" OS X technologies (like Core Image, Core Video, Core Animation, OpenGL) it's planning on using, and switches on the discrete GPU accordingly. Conversely, NVIDIA's Optimus technology on the PC is based on an application whitelist that NVIDIA maintains which may not be as attractive or elegant as Apple's solution, but is user-customizable on an app by app basis. You can also easily monitor when the card is on or off, and switch off manually, two things Apple decided it didn't want its own users to do.

Lucky for us, a MacRumors forum member noticed that you can figure out which chipset's currently in use by looking at the display list in the Graphics / Displays section of your MacBook's System Profiler, so we did a quick survey -- and it ain't pretty. Photoshop and iMovie understandably put you into discrete territory, but Lightroom 3 beta 2, strangely, does not. Oh, and iPhoto '09 is more than happy to sip upon that sweet NVIDIA nectar. Core Image is probably to blame, but it's still an odd requirement for such a "consumery" app.

But it gets worse. Viewing QuickTime movie trailers on Apple's site in Chrome (a buggy experience, by the way) bumps you up to discrete, but doesn't bump you back down after you're done -- only closing the browser and opening it up again seems to reset it. Firefox and Safari keep you on integrated graphics the whole time -- as does downloading 480p or 720p content to your local QuickTime player -- but pulling up 1080p video locally kicks you into high gear (this sounds closer to the correct behavior, at least).

The most egregious thing we've seen, though, has to be Tweetie. Yes, little ol' Tweetie, that innocuous applet that stays out of your hair and shoots you a Growl notification every once in a while: as long as it's open, it's going to be rockin' the discrete graphics. The bottom line is that this is a great opportunity to underscore something we've said before, which is that Apple needs to bring back an ironclad disable option for the discrete graphics like it does with the older unibody models -- especially when battery life is supposedly Cupertino's single biggest push with these things. Of course, failing that, we've got to hope that some third-party dev out there has the wit, courage, and spitfire to craft a simple toggle utility.

Source: Engadget

[Elliott]

I was looking at one of the new MacBook Pro's yesterday and you can disable the automatic switching. Not sure if you can then tell it what graphics chip to use, though. I didn't check.

Other than that, I imagine there are certain criteria that OS X is checking for, and apps that used to get by using a framework or API that they shouldn't are now causing problems for this automatic switching feature. It could be entirely Apple's fault (and I'm sure Apple is partially to blame here), but judging by the fact that Tweetie is kicking the MBP into high gear (and Lightroom isn't) makes me think there's something the app developer is doing wrong.

[NzOMikE]

Actually,

New MBP works like this:

1- You enable the auto-switching

2- You disable the auto-switching so the OS go directly in High Performance Mode.

You can't go manually to soft-performance mode.

[Motoko.]

I can't believe Apple didn't put in Optimus.

[rawr_boy81]

I can't believe Apple didn't put in Optimus.

Because Optimus isn't compatible with Mac OS X - ever thought that maybe Apple makes decisions based on evidence rather than your posts which is based on nothing more than knee jerk hate.

[Motoko.]

Because Optimus isn't compatible with Mac OS X - ever thought that maybe Apple makes decisions based on evidence rather than your posts which is based on nothing more than knee jerk hate.

Ok.. when did I ever say I hate Apple? I'm just implying it's a logical thing to do based on what the purpose of Optimus is for.

What is it with members and making up assumptions I never even remotely mentioned?

This is the 2nd time today..

[Stetson]

I can't believe Apple didn't put in Optimus.

They pretty much did, just their own implementation. Using the NVidia version wouldn't have made much sense because NVidia's app database is geared around Windows programs. Apple can probably add per-app fixes in a software update if needed, and it's looking like it is needed.

[Howling Wind]

I smelled this issue a mile away. I know Apple will fix it someday. I mean, they kind of have to, right? But I would like the option just to choose between the integrated graphics and dedicated graphics like on my MPB. The only thing Apple really needed to do was make it so you don't have to log out to switch. Who wants to use dedicated graphics on battery power? Or better yet, who wants to use "Nvidia" dedicated graphics on battery power?

[Wanderermy]

Ok.. when did I ever say I hate Apple? I'm just implying it's a logical thing to do based on what the purpose of Optimus is for.

What is it with members and making up assumptions I never even remotely mentioned?

This is the 2nd time today..

That's Apple fanboys for you. I you so much make any remotely negative comment about their precious devices, you will be flamed.

[Howling Wind]

Same goes for Microsoft and Linux fanboys too, sadly.

[Wanderermy]

Same goes for Microsoft and Linux fanboys too, sadly.

Any fanboys for that matter, some people just takes things a little over the top.