Wow I'm absolutely loving this type of configurability. Being able to ramp up to SLI graphics if you need them and then back it out to through your 1TB HDD for a backup is great.
I wonder if they also are going to make one with an additional battery. That would be a wise option for those that want to stick with the internal GPU but want more battery life for a trip for example.
I have heard that one is coming but it's just a rumor.
This series in particular could use it. Specs are nearly identical to the Y580 (thus making the model numbers especially confusing; this model is more advanced than the Y580), but battery life is ~2h45m vs ~5h. The culprit is Optimus: for whatever reason the internal Intel HD4000 GPU is completely disabled on the Y400/Y500.
Nobody has been able to figure out why quite yet. It is unfortunate; while Optimus has its bugs, it certainly helps battery life. In addition Quick Sync and WiDi rely on the HD4000, so they do not work at this time on the Y400/Y500.
optical had drive bay adapter are nothing new, the fan wouldnt help much, i do however like the idea of using the optical for sli graphics or more battery life both of which are awesome ideas though i have never seen anyone use it for battery life before
Actually, they offer a module that's simply a cooling fan. I believe it's about $30. Word on the internet street is that it does absolutely nothing because there's no heat vented from that part of the laptop.
Strangely they also offer a hard drive caddy for the insane price of $189. If you look around you can find a comparable caddy for ~$30 or less.
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Dustin Sklavos - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link
I can't wait for them not to send us one of these.colinw - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link
You mean they won't want to send their newborn child into the jaws of death?creed3020 - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link
Wow I'm absolutely loving this type of configurability. Being able to ramp up to SLI graphics if you need them and then back it out to through your 1TB HDD for a backup is great.I wonder if they also are going to make one with an additional battery. That would be a wise option for those that want to stick with the internal GPU but want more battery life for a trip for example.
Sottilde - Monday, January 14, 2013 - link
I have heard that one is coming but it's just a rumor.This series in particular could use it. Specs are nearly identical to the Y580 (thus making the model numbers especially confusing; this model is more advanced than the Y580), but battery life is ~2h45m vs ~5h. The culprit is Optimus: for whatever reason the internal Intel HD4000 GPU is completely disabled on the Y400/Y500.
Nobody has been able to figure out why quite yet. It is unfortunate; while Optimus has its bugs, it certainly helps battery life. In addition Quick Sync and WiDi rely on the HD4000, so they do not work at this time on the Y400/Y500.
vanwazltoff - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link
optical had drive bay adapter are nothing new, the fan wouldnt help much, i do however like the idea of using the optical for sli graphics or more battery life both of which are awesome ideas though i have never seen anyone use it for battery life beforeextide - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link
The fan is on the GPU bay modules...Sottilde - Monday, January 14, 2013 - link
Actually, they offer a module that's simply a cooling fan. I believe it's about $30. Word on the internet street is that it does absolutely nothing because there's no heat vented from that part of the laptop.Strangely they also offer a hard drive caddy for the insane price of $189. If you look around you can find a comparable caddy for ~$30 or less.
danjw - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link
Does this line come with the same spamware/crapware/junk that other OEMs ship on their systems?cabbeer - Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - link
Can I use put this in the ultrabay of my existing thinkpad t420s?[email protected] - Sunday, February 8, 2015 - link
where can i buy one of this additional GPU or HDD or extra cooling fan for my lenovo y400..tnx