MBP - what is the discrete gfx card in 15" and 17" used for?

dubcat · 15 Sep 2009 at 14:48

Hi -

I won't be playing games on my MBP. It will be used for office duties when I am out and about. At home it will be connected to a 24" external display and will be used for RAW image handling (Lightroom), high def video editing (Adobe Premiere Elements or iMovie), and watching movies (divx). Since I have a PS3 I can't really see myself playing games on it.

So my question is - what use is the discrete graphics card outside of games? Can you list the apps that would benefit from it? It may be that I see something that I MIGHT want to use in the future in which case I'll get a model with the gfx card.

***EDIT I should add, the reason that this is important for me is not the cost. If I can get away without having the beefier gfx processor i will go for a 13" MBP since portability is very nice to have in my line of work. However, I can live with a 15" machine if i have to - and if i see apps on the list that need/use the extra gfx card i will go with that instead.

Cheers,
Dub

LordSplodge · 15 Sep 2009 at 16:11

GPGPU (Aka OpenCL) now that Snow Leopard has it. Most of the new video editing/imaging editing programs should support it soon(ish)

dubcat · 15 Sep 2009 at 16:22

Argh ok .. well i guess i better go down to the gym then as I'll be lugging a 15"er around

I just hope it fits in my Tumi bag! I paid a lot of money for that sucker. Thanks,
Dub

LordSplodge · 15 Sep 2009 at 16:40

The 9400 supports OpenCL as well. The 13" will be fine...

Spyhop · 15 Sep 2009 at 18:48

Agreed - the 9400 being half decent means you're not screwing yourself over as has usually been the case with integrated graphics.

dubcat · 15 Sep 2009 at 21:56

So what kind of apps would the discrete graphics really be necessary for aside from gaming?

pingwing · 16 Sep 2009 at 00:24

Basically from what i understand, snow leopard draws the whole desktop in opencl with the gfx card does all the work, but anyway the 9400 does EVERYTHING perfectly fine (even football manager 09) as its a pretty good card overall (though i have the extra 9600 for boot camp which helps for uber windows 3d games)

So yeah i wouldnt fret over the 9400