Switching Between Graphics Cards Macbook Pro

Switching Between Graphics Cards Macbook Pro: In the following simple solution, I will explain how to switch between the nVidia 9400M and the nVidia 9600M GT video graphics cards on a Macbook Pro. On some Macbook Pro models, the lower wattage nVidia 9400M is used by default to help extend battery life. But when you need pure graphical performance, the powerful 9600M GT can be made available on demand. Here is how to switch between the two cards.

Switching Between Graphics Cards Macbook

    1. Click the System Preferences Icon from your Macbook Dock.

Select System Preferences

Now, select Energy Saver from the System Preferences Window.

Select the Energy Saver Icon

From the Energy Saver menu, check the Higher Performance Graphics Option.

Select the Higher Performance Option

Once prompted, click Log Out to Change Graphics Settings.

Select Logout - Switching Between Graphics Cards Macbook

The System will proceed to log you out and then back in utilizing the 9600M GT for Performance. To Switch back to the 9400M video card, you can use the same procedure selecting the Better Battery Life Graphics option instead.

Side Notes: If you run Windows XP or Windows Vista on your Macbook Pro, the nVidia 9600M GT video card is used by default. At the time of this writing, there were no Windows drivers provided by Apple to allow you to switch between the 9400M and 9600M GT video cards

This concludes Switching between graphics cards with a Macbook Pro. I hope you found this simple solution useful.