Eurocom introduces line of gamer-friendly notebooks with Switchable Graphics

Eurocom launches line of gamer-friendly notebooks with Optimus, the latest in graphics switching technology from NVIDIA.

Eurocom’s new line of gamer-friendly notebooks features NVIDIA's Optimus technology, which intelligently switches graphics between 1GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT330M and Intel HD integrated graphics to deliver optimal battery life (up to 240 minutes).

It also offers a choice of 15.6” and 17.3” Full HD 1920x1080 displays and comes with Intel Core i5 and Core i7 technology.

The EUROCOM Fox line is available for order today starting at $999 for 15.6" B5100M FOX and $1199 for 17.3" B7110 FOX model.

Eurocom FOX line of gamer-friendly notebooks features special VGA Optimus button that allows the user to switch between Optimus Mode (where GPU switching is automatic) and UMA Mode (for constant power-saving with he integrated GPU only).
- In the UMA Mode system will use only integrated GPU (part of Intel’s Arrandale technology) for maximum power-saving.
- In the Optimus Mode will allow the system to automatically determine whether to use discrete GPU (dGPU) and integrated GPU (iGPU) depending on task and/or application.

Thus the user can completely control how the graphics system operates just by pressing the VGA button – the button light will indicate the current mode.
- Green color: UMA Mode Activated. The system will use the integrated GPU (iGPU) only
- Orange color: Optimus Model Activated. Optimus technology will determine automatically when to use the integrated GPU (iGPU) or discrete (dGPU).

There are also two separate GPU LED indicators displaying which GPU is in use; Green - Integrated GPU (iGPU) activated; Orange - Discrete GPU (dGPU) activated

SPECIFICATIONS:
DISPLAY:
15.6” or 17.3” Full HD 1920x1080 LED Backlit Display

PROCESSORS:
Intel Core i7 Mobile Processor 620M; 2.66GHz; 4MB L3 cache
Intel Core i5 Mobile Processor 540M; 2.53GHz; 3M L3 cache
Intel Core i5 Mobile Processor 520M; 2.40GHz; 3M L3 cache
Intel Core i5 Mobile Processor 430M; 2.26GHz; 3M L3 cache
Intel Core i3 Mobile Processor 350M; 2.26GHz; 3M L3 cache
Intel Core i3 Mobile Processor 330M; 2.13GHz; 3M L3 cache

CORE LOGIC
Mobile Intel HM55 Express Chipset

MEMORY:
Up to 16GB of DDR3-1333
Two 204-pin SODIMM modules

VIDEO / GRAPHICS
Supports switchable graphics NVIDIA Optimus Technology
Intel integrated GMA HD GPU and NVIDIA GeForce GT330M

a) Intel GMA HD integrated GPU:
- Intel DVMT (Dynamic Video Memory Technology) automatically and dynamically allocates as much as up to 1748MB system memory (RAM) as needed to the integrated video system. DVMT returns whatever memory is no longer needed to the operating system.
- DirectX10 compatible
- Enhanced Video and 3D Engine
- Hardware Acceleration Decoded for Blu Ray

NVIDIA GeForce GT330M Discrete GPU:
- 1GB GDDR3 Video RAM
- PCIe x8
- Direct X10.1 compatible

STORAGE:
Supports 2 physical hard drives; up to 1.6TB of storage (1TB + 640GB); STA-300
2nd hard drive via Optical Drive Bay
Optical Drive: Blu Ray Reader, Blu Ray Burner, DVD Burner

I/O PORTS:
1x USB 3.0
3x USB 2.0
1x eSATA
1x HDMI output
1x external VGA
1x Headphone jack
1x Microphone jack
1x S/PDIF output jack
1x RJ-45 LAN port
1x DC-in jack

CARD READER:
9-in-1 Card Reader
- MMC/RSMMC
- SD/mini SD/SDXC compatible
- MS/MS Pro/MS Duo

POWER:
- Auto Switching C adapter 90W, AC in 100~240V, 50~60Hz, DC output 19V, 4.74A
- Standard 6 cells Smart Lithium-Ion battery pack, 48.84WH
- Optional high capacity 6 cells Smart Lithium-Ion battery pack, 62.16WH
Battery life 240 minutes (UMA mode with 62.16WH battery)


ABOUT Optimus Technology:
NVIDIA Optimus technology is a seamless technology designed to get the best performance from the graphics system while allowing longer battery, without having to manually change settings. Thus when an application is run that requires extra performance or graphics quality, then the system will run the discrete GPU (dGPU); when the system does not require such enhanced performance it will let the integrated (iGPU) to handle.

Most notebook computers come with either a discrete (dGPU) or integrated (iGPU) graphics solution.

Discrete graphics solutions feature a dedicated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) capable of playing games, watching HD video or running GPU-based applications. However computers with discrete graphics tend to be heavy in power consumption and slightly larger in size in order to incorporate the dedicated discrete GPU.

Integrated graphics solutions on the other hand feature memory sharing technology to help save power consumption and allow for longer battery life. However computers with integrated graphics solutions will not usually run games, HD video or GPU based applications without major performance limitations.

HOW OPTIMUS TECHNOLOGY WORKS
When the system is powered up and is displaying just the desktop, the dGPU will be powered off. In this case the system is running in the same way as a system without a discrete graphics solution. However when an application that requires use of the dGPU is run (e.g. games or HD video), the dGPU is powered on and takes over the processing duties. If the program is closed, then the dGPU will be powered down back again until required again.

One of the most important aspects of NVIDIA Optimus technology is that it will switch between the integrated GPU and discrete GPU seamlessly and automatically, and does not require any input from the user. However customization options are available (via NVIDIA Control Panel) for users who prefer to set their own parameters for GPU usage.