Apple Mods Intel Chipset for Auto GPU Switching
Instead of Nvidia Optimus, Apple makes its own automatic graphics switching technology.
When Apple announced that its new 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros had both the Intel HD IGP as well as a discrete Nvidia GT 330M GPU and it could switch seamlessly between them automatically, we assumed that it was using the Nvidia Optimus technology – but it isn't. Instead, Apple brewed up its own software solution, which works in a slightly different fashion, Ars Technica reports.
While Nvidia Optimus uses a software-driven list of apps that would trigger a system to switch over to discrete graphics, Apple's solution detects on the OS level whenever OpenGL, Core Graphics, Quartz Composer are in use and calls in the discrete GPU to help.
Another way Apple's method differs from Nvidia's system is that Optimus runs the discrete GPU's display through the IGP's frame buffer. This requires that both the GPU and IGP to be active, as well as taking up a lot of traffic on the bus. Apple's solution deactivates the Intel HD graphics whenever the GT 330M is called upon, helping it be a little more power friendly.
Apple credits its control over software and hardware as the main reason why it is able to offer an arguably better solution to automatically switching graphics. In fact, Apple appears to have modified the baseline HM55 Express Intel chipset to accommodate for this more advanced switching technology, according to a teardown done by iFixit.
Sadly, Apple doesn't offer the user full control over which graphics part run and when. The quoted battery life is 8 hours when running the GT 330M and 9 hours when it's Intel HD IGP only. Although the user can select between auto switching and having the GT 330M run full time, the option to disable the discrete GPU for the sake of prolonging battery life (like being able to switch off Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) doesn't exist.

http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/fpposted/archive/2010/04/07/fp-tech-desk-rcmp-says-modifying-a-video-game-console-punishable-by-10-years-in-jail.aspx
But this looks neat. I don't see what's wrong with that, save the fact that you can't disable the 330 for battery purposes. Maybe we'll see a driver update in the future.
Looks interesting nonetheless.
It was a joke......
I take people too seriously :|
It's hard to tell over the internet.
Hum.... I have to say Intel does not sell COMPUTER to Apple, only chipset & CPU. So it teaches us a way to void be in jail: Do not buy a whole computer. Just buy parts and make our own computer!
add Tegra that isn't doing too well, GTX4xx that are out of stock everywhere (newegg, etc) or not even in stock at all:
Amazon.com for example says "The item has not yet been released" (both GTX 480 and 470):
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=GTX+480&x=0&y=0
Whereas Amazon.co.uk says they will dispatch within 1-2 months (yes, not 1 to 2 weeks, they are talking months, Semiaccurate was right all along)
Don't believe it? Check it out: both GTX 480 and 470:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gtx+480&x=0&y=0
Nvidia is in deep trouble. This is bad for the competition. Good for business though. Intel might buy it in a few months.
This is great. They built in a better solution into the core of their OS to improve the end user experience, and made it completely transparent.
What sets Apple apart is that they delivered it.
What are these games you speak of? This is a Mac.
Um... not seeing that. Looks like the standard HM55 hub. Why does anyone think it's been modified?
There is a 99% chance I will never buy a Mac, but I will buy AMD instead of Intel if they are putting out a better product at my price point; and that level of a corporate deal would be great AMD, and for competition in the CPU market.
Maybe World of Goo at 30fps instead of 100fps or whatever?
An elegant solution nonetheless, much better than the previous one. Besides, it'll take about a week before someone comes up with an app or console script to do the switch manually.
One can switch between the 2 GPUs with this utility.