MacBook Pro requires logout to switch graphics modes

We just spent some quality time with the dual-graphics VAIO Z, so when we heard that the new MacBook Pros had a similar two-chip layout, we assumed switching from the integrated NVIDIA 9400M to the discrete 9600M GT would be just as easy -- it's just a switch on the Sony that can be flipped anytime. Too bad that's not the case: according to a recently-posted Apple support document, switching graphics modes requires a trip to System Preferences and then a logout. Sure, it's slightly better than a total restart, but it's still a huge pain in the ass, and one we just don't understand -- if Sony can get Vista to handle it without issue, Apple should be able to get their own OS to deal. Here's hoping Apple fixes this particular bag of hurt soon -- we can't see mobile pros flocking to this feature until they can seamlessly switch between graphics modes when going from the office to the road.

Update: We took a quick video of the machine switching modes, check it after the break.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2008 3:23AM]

TO THENETAVENGER:

OMG. Are you serious? An OS ENGINEER and THEORIST? But NOT working for Microsoft?

SO, without TRUE, LONG-TERM, BIT-TWIDDLING, DOWN-IN-THE-TRENCHES GRUNT WORK (or perhaps just enough to make you "dangerous" as you think you know it all now), you preach from a LOFTY pulpit PURE THEORY and ELEGANCE based on what?

I use V and X side by side on the same computer, and guess what? X is faster in most areas and is just much easier to use. NO, it's not MARKETING that makes it this way (I'm sick of "ignorants" trying to dismiss X with this excuse). Hell no X is not perfect, but so far, NOTHING IS.

So this "elegance" versus "patchwork" architecture BS you are spewing means nothing to the average JOE who just wants it to work as easily and seemlessly as possible. Who CARES (except the developer that has to update that mess) how cobbled together it is underneath, it's the end result that counts.

In ALL software evolutionary development, coders are ALWAYS having to work with LEGACY COMPATIBILITY. Rarely do we get the chance to start with a clean slate (even then, code is written by HUMANS and we are NOT infallible, despite what you may think of yourself). And top of all that, you are constantly being hammered to work WITHIN BUDGET and MEET TARGET RELEASE DEADLINES and having to coordinate and work with tens or hundreds if not thousands of software engineers each working on their own little modules, praying the modules working together, YA lets see your THEORIES and CONCEPTUAL ELEGANCE on OS DESIGN really hold water.

X has been around from OS 9, and *nix's MUCH longer than that, so yes, you will have hooks and legacy interfaces to that time. V is relatively newer, but don't kid yourself that this "conceptually perfect" system that in your opinion V is will remain so as time and version number goes up...

Geez, I've been on my soap box TOO LONG with TWO posts in one night.

Peace out.

[DrSilverworm Posted Oct 15th 2008 3:41AM]

His post sounded about right to me. More coherent then you're violated-sounding rant did, anyway. But hey, what do I know, I'm just a journalism student.

In my experience, Vista is very fast, and I have honestly never had a problem with it. It does everything I want it to. My dad uses Macs, he actually has a few, and I hate them. I find myself constantly having to download new freeware to get the computer to do what I want, googling work-arounds, and holding control to right-click. Same thing with the iPhone: my dad has become an expert in hacking his iPhone to get it to run third party apps, but why is this necessary in the first place? Not only that, but it crashes all the time. My Windows Mobile smart phone has YET to crash.

People that complain Vista is too complicated are just stupid. I've seen it happen. People can't figure out how to unmute their computer, download a new flash update, or create folders for the sea of shortcuts on their desktops. They get frustrated and blame Vista, because that's what everyone else is doing. It's gotta be Vista's fault, right?

Striking similarity to the hordes of kids in my college talking about how we all have to vote for Obama because he's going to bring about "Change". If Change means outrageous gun control laws, absurd tax increases, socialized health care, prevention of tapping our vast supply of oil in Alaska, a cop-out plan in Iraq that ignores present engagements and reverses past progress, and opposition to privatizing social security then "Change" is the last thing I want.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2008 1:10PM]

Silverworm,

1. there are 3 different ways to right click on a Mac.
2. I have clients highly skilled in XP complaining about usability and endless conflict in Vista, that I go in and fix for them because its my job and they prefer to work and make money than to fix problems.
3. Computer users shouldnt have to worry about updating their flash (Mac does that seemlessly with Software Update, which is way easier to find than Windows Update on a PC)
4. Unmuting a Mac is a keyboard press away, which is not like that on a PC (Control Panel or taskbar with super small icons)

IM sure you know where I am getting to. Dont give up on a Mac, I did a while ago and hated Mac, but i decided to give it another try and really try to be impartial to a system I have never used before.

Oh and VMWARE Fusion is a great program for Mac. It runs Windows and Mac at the same time, seamlessly (parallels is a load of garbage)

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2008 3:49AM]

One more thing NETVENGER:

So your skirt is blown up by a couple White Papers, eh? And we should read them too to give us a huge warm and fuzzy how Microsoft "got it right."

Wow.

Now turn around and try explaining all that elegant theoretical poop to the developer that has to code it who can barely understand and speak English. Unless you truly "read" the code he writes, you never know if he coded it "elegantly" or just did "spaghetti" code that gets the job done but bug-bomb ready to blow on the next revision.

'k, I'm TRULY DONE TONIGHT.

[Haldaar Posted Oct 19th 2008 7:03AM]

I say ha ha ha in Nelson's style to all Mac addicts.

[nikster Posted Oct 15th 2008 9:06AM]

I think this is way too much fuss about this. Yes, logout sucks, and I am not sure Apple engineers were aware that this works seamlessly in Vista - now that they are, there is going to be a major effort going on to make this work without logging out.

That said - I know for sure I will never, ever need the graphics card. It will always stay switched off. Unless you are a gamer, or a 3D scientists (with heavy 3D lifting), you won't miss the dedicated card one bit. The integrated 3D is 4x faster than the currently shipping Intel integrated gfx. That means it's plenty fast for the older game, for any architecture program, Google earth, and so on. It will be fast enough for 95% of users.

So this isn't such a big deal, really. Unless the Mac starts to take off as a gaming platform, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2008 10:30AM]

What games though?
Zork?
Quake's 1-3?
Monkey Island.
Breakout?
Photoshop?

Or the occassional scraps thrown Apple's way like once or twice a year from big time publishers, as if they were dirty peasants?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2008 1:10PM]

as far as I know hamidxa, Apple does not market to gamers, so perhaps you should stick to more constructive, intelligent comments. I am sure you would have no idea on how to take on a mega corporation like microsoft and figure to do it the way apple does. OH AND YES, apple has been very successful.

You want to bash on that?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2008 1:13PM]

Another reason why the new line is shit.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 16th 2008 3:27AM]

SNOW LEOPARD anybody? It's highly likely this transition will be eliminated in about 3 months time when Mac OS X 10.6 is released.

Calm your horses.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 16th 2008 11:14AM]

Or you can eliminate it today by switching to Vista.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 18th 2008 6:33AM]

Calm down they'll fix this, I expect they are concentrating their efforts on a decent dynamic solution with minimal visual interruption.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2008 12:07PM]

1. i'm sure that this isn't the only system pref change that requires a reboot.
2. have you seen how fast the MBP starts up programs. It ain't like it's 20 minutes. And you are setting up programs to open at log in you don't have to bother with clicking the little icon on the dock
3. this is not unlike when they started using Intel chips but Tiger wasn't really made for Intel. the true power came with 'made for intel' Leopard. Same thing is likely to happen with Snow Leopard.

Now my question is this. Could I set up two accounts. One for my general work and One when I am in my graphics, don't want to be disturbed anyway mode and fast user between them, but with the graphics one using the slicker/better card. If I could do that, then that's the way I would go. Cause the only thing I have turned on other than my graphics programs when I am working is ichat in case my partner needs to find me