Sony's Hybrid Graphic System vs. Dedicated Memory?

[Steady Teddy]

I'm looking at 15" (or 13.3" for Sony) laptops and I can't find any that small that offer dedicated memory with a core duo processor.

I'm trying to understand the Hybrid Graphic System technology used for Sony's SZ series, specifically the SZ 220/B.

Sony's web site describes it as "the revolutionary Hybrid Graphic System lets you set you switch between an internal graphics chip for optimal power consumption and an external graphics chip for even more robust performance."

But I called Sony customer service product information and was told that this model only has shared memory, and dedicated memory is only available on laptops 17" & up. But it looks like the specs listed in the Amazon link I posted describe it differently: "You can choose either the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (with up to 128 MB of dynamically shared video RAM) and the installed Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card (with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM). " I interpret this as it being able to do both dedicated and shared.

So just what is Hybrid Graphics System technology.

Thanks

[Alaron]

That is interesting technology. I think the key difference is down in Amazon's description of the graphics:

"This notebook uses Sony's exclusive Hybrid Graphics System, which lets you set your graphics performance with a simple flick of a switch, enabling you to toggle between an internal graphics chip for optimal power consumption with excellent performance or an external graphics chip for even more robust performance. You can choose either the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (with up to 128 MB of dynamically shared video RAM) and the installed Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card (with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM). "


Using the Intel graphics would give you better battery life, and be fine for office type applications. By switching the the Go7400, you would take a hit in battery life but be able to play games better.

Just last week, we put up an article about HyperMemory and TurboCache technology that you might be interested in: http://www.pcmech.com/show/internal/965/