When looking at the technical specifications of a laptop, you may notice that some NVIDIA graphics cards feature something called Optimus technology. What is Optimus? Why is it important? And is it worth prioritizing when looking for a new laptop?

Optimus is a technology developed by NVIDIA that automatically adjusts graphics based on how you use a device. This optimization saves more battery power on a laptop computer. It is sometimes called a hybrid graphics system.

Optimus automatically switches between integrated graphics and a discrete GPU based on the applications you are using. This allows you to use high-performance graphics while gaming or watching an HD movie. When you are done or surfing the web, Optimus systems can switch to integrated graphics to extend battery life.

The main benefit of using a notebook with Optimus technology is improved battery life, as the system is not using a power-hungry discrete graphics card all the time. By automatically switching between integrated graphics and a dedicated graphics card, battery life is improved in mixed usage situations. Because the feature is automatic, it is also an improvement over previous hybrid graphics systems that required you to manually switch between the two graphics systems.