November 6th, 2008
Microsoft to discourage hybrid graphics systems for Windows 7
It seems that Microsoft is discouraging system manufacturers from shipping systems making use of hybrid graphics.
Hybrid graphics is where a system has one GPU built onto the motherboard and another on a dedicated graphics card. Microsoft’s Guidelines for Graphics in Windows 7 is strongly discouraging OEMs from shipping systems making use of this technology.
A hybrid graphics system typically has two GPUs: a low-power, fairly low-performance integrated GPU and a second high-power, higher performance discrete GPU.
The integrated GPU is typically used when long battery life is desired, and the discrete GPU is used when battery life is not important or when higher performance is required. Such systems require a reboot to switch between GPUs.
Windows 7 does not offer native support for hybrid graphics systems. We strongly discourage system manufacturers from shipping such systems, which can be unstable and provide a poor user experience.
I’m betting that ATI/AMD, NVIDIA and a number of system OEMs are going to be displeased by how Microsoft has labeled this technology.
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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