Hybrid graphics support strategy planning for R

Registered by Eric Appleman

Review the current state of hybrid graphics and what's feasible for 13.04.

- Prime power management expected in 3.8 (http://cgit.freedesktop.org/~airlied/linux): Delayed until 3.9?
- Review dual-boot scenarios for said power management. Current git code will leave the GPU in a bad state that persists into a Windows reboot. Card will not work properly unless first rebooted into a non-power managing kernel or the battery is pulled.
- On-the-fly gpu switching expected for xserver 1.14 (http://cgit.freedesktop.org/~airlied/xserver): Delayed until 1.15?
- DRI2 offloading implemented in 12.10 does not work properly. Performance is poor and most things will not render. (awaiting SRU or upstream?)

Old blueprint for reference: https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/desktop-q-hybrid-graphics

Blueprint information

Status:
Not started
Approver:
Bryce Harrington
Priority:
Medium
Drafter:
Eric Appleman
Direction:
Needs approval
Assignee:
Maarten Lankhorst
Definition:
Approved
Series goal:
Proposed for raring
Implementation:
Unknown
Milestone target:
None

Related branches

Sprints

Whiteboard

(moved to https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/desktop-s-hybrid-graphics)

We have really basic support. There is no synchronization so fancy stuff gets you into problems.

Binary drivers don't have permission to use certain symbols that they'd need to use.

What's planned is gpu switching between Intel and nvidia or amd with no attempt to prevent glitching.

(?)

Work Items

Work items:
[bryce] Talk to nvidia about documentation for optimus: POSTPONED
[mlankhorst] get the kernel pieces ready and upstream: POSTPONED
[sforshee] send the macbook pro to mlankhorst: DONE
[canonical-kernel-team] to look at http://cgit.freedesktop.org/~mlankhorst/linux v10-wip: POSTPONED
[ubuntu-x-swat] look at fixing drawing glitches where offsets are wrong or pixmaps not shared: POSTPONED