Nvidia Optimus technology - No support in linux

[greggc2006]

I awaiting delivery of my new toy:-

Chassis & Display
Optimus II: 17.3" Glossy Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-2630QM (2.00GHz) 6MB Cache
Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
nVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M - 2GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
320GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD3200BEKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & KILLER™ 1102 WIRELESS 802.11N - IDEAL FOR ONLINE GAMING
USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Battery
2 x 6 Cell Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 48.84WH (One Spare) (£39)
Power Lead & Adaptor
2 x UK Power Lead & 120W Adaptor (For Nvidia GT 555M) (£19)
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Stands & Port Replicators
Logitech® Notebook Kit MK605, inc Wireless Mouse, Keyboard & Stand (£65)
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM

and was deeply alarmed when I heard that Optimus doesn't work under Linuxhttp://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/show...=153321&page=1.

I have now found my way to http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/05/b...o-linux-users/ via numerous forums/threads.

Has anyone tested it yet, does anyone know if I am wasting my hard earned here???

[ubuntu-user]

Hi
Bumble bee sounds promising, there is also some discussion of getting the best from that graphics card with Ubuntu here:

http://en.community.dell.com/support.../19843924.aspx

Good luck

Stephen

[ubuntu-user]

Hi
I forgot to mention that I think System76 and others have used this card in their pre installed linux notebook offerings based on Clevo machines, so I presume that there is a way to get it working effectively.
cheers
Stepjem

[greggc2006]

ubuntu-user,

Thanks for the link, I'll defo be having a good look through when my new toy arrives. I think you may be missing the issue though, the card is on the linux HCL so even if there is no proprietry driver, the bogo linux drivers will run it. The weak link here is the optimus technology, it WILL NOT WORK under Linux and there only seem to be some very sketchy workarounds to be able to use the nvidia card at all, the benefits of the inteligent switching are totally beyond the reach of Linux users Probably yet another M$ shady backroom deal.

[Pithikos]

So anyone got it working with BumbleBee?

[greggc2006]

Yes, gpu switch on the case is a software switch so not joy there but Bumblebee does seem to do exactly what it says on the tin. I have a fully functioning Ubuntu 64bit install and have seen no weirdness at all as yet. Still having some unity/compiz issues but thats a whole other can of worms!!

[ubuntu-user]

Thats good to hear, glad you have something working

cheers
Stephen

[Quattrix]

EDIT: Sorry thought the switch on the case was a hard switch not just a software switch.