3 ms·

I do not understand why they're still putting GPUs in laptops under 17". Sell me an external thunderbolt 3 GPU for the rare occasion where I need a GPU, use the

I do not understand why they're still putting GPUs in laptops under 17". Sell me an external thunderbolt 3 GPU for the rare occasion where I need a GPU, use the space you save for something else. The difference between entry-level to mid-tier mobile GPUs and Intel's integrated graphics is too small to justify carrying it around with you 24/7. GPUs are the new DVD drive.

soared 9y ago
My bet is Microsoft excel. Many users need slightly more power than an integrated gfx card offers.
- mi100hael 9y ago
  Seriously? I didn't realize Excel put any sort of load on the GPU.
  - gh02t 9y ago
    It doesn't, apart from some GPU acceleration for the UI. I have no idea what OP is thinking.
ac29 9y ago
This almost certainly would have been more competitive with a i7-7560U instead of a i7-7500U (the former has 2x the graphics execution units and 64MB eDRAM). Same TDP. The only reason I can think to put an NVIDIA dGPU is for people who need CUDA.
frou_dh 9y ago
That makes a lot of sense actually. I haven't followed the evolution of Thunderbolt, but if such external GPUs are now fully supported and reliable then it's a bit of an inflection point for laptops.
khedoros1 9y ago
I don't want something as large as 17 inches, and having purchased a machine without discrete graphics, I'm kind of regretting it. > GPUs are the new DVD drive. Coincidentally, I'm also missing the ethernet jack and internal blu-ray drive that my last laptop had. Dongles and external hardware suck. They make the whole experience of using the machine more awkward and less streamlined.
- zokier 9y ago
  Optical drives are really a niche item these days, dropping it is understandable, especially considering the disproportionate space requirements of a drive. But ethernet, that is something I don't want to lose. Not because I can't get internet otherwise, but for getting access to restricted networks, or some quick troubleshooting etc.

soared 9y ago

My bet is Microsoft excel. Many users need slightly more power than an integrated gfx card offers.

mi100hael 9y ago
Seriously? I didn't realize Excel put any sort of load on the GPU.
- gh02t 9y ago
  It doesn't, apart from some GPU acceleration for the UI. I have no idea what OP is thinking.

ac29 9y ago

This almost certainly would have been more competitive with a i7-7560U instead of a i7-7500U (the former has 2x the graphics execution units and 64MB eDRAM). Same TDP. The only reason I can think to put an NVIDIA dGPU is for people who need CUDA.

frou_dh 9y ago

That makes a lot of sense actually. I haven't followed the evolution of Thunderbolt, but if such external GPUs are now fully supported and reliable then it's a bit of an inflection point for laptops.

khedoros1 9y ago

I don't want something as large as 17 inches, and having purchased a machine without discrete graphics, I'm kind of regretting it. > GPUs are the new DVD drive. Coincidentally, I'm also missing the ethernet jack and internal blu-ray drive that my last laptop had. Dongles and external hardware suck. They make the whole experience of using the machine more awkward and less streamlined.

zokier 9y ago
Optical drives are really a niche item these days, dropping it is understandable, especially considering the disproportionate space requirements of a drive. But ethernet, that is something I don't want to lose. Not because I can't get internet otherwise, but for getting access to restricted networks, or some quick troubleshooting etc.