Intel recommends updating graphic drivers when you want : " To resolve graphics-related problems (for example, visual corruption when playing a new game)..." etc.

Does anyone know what customizations and improvements are put by Dell in this driver 8.15.10.2104 ?

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

How safe is to use the latest generic Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator driver 15.21.13.64.2342 instead?

One more "bonus" coming probably with the Intel graphics drivers provided by Dell 8.15.10.2104.

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Namely, when powered by the baterry screen flashes/flickers as if getting brighter or dimmer randomly. :emotion-1:

Does anyone have a resolution?

HTML5 Hardware acceleration in the "Fishtank" with Internet Explorer 9. Apparently there is no GPU acceleration because the drive is buggy. 7 frames per second with 250 fish - a slideshow. I picked up Internet Explorer 9 because Dell "recommends" it. :emotion-43:

Here it is - Dell's recommendation.As you can see the statement is a FASTER*  and more beautiful web. Faster with asterisk - it makes you wonder.

"Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering" - as you can see the option to choose hardware accelerated rendering and browsing is grayed out. Therefore Dell plus Internet Explorer 9 equals software(slower) rendering when browsing.  Bad driver support + good hardware = not good customer experience.

Accelerated graphics? Are they coming on Dell machines? Or maybe we should all stick to Internet Explorer 5... and enjoy reading text on the web.

Only software rendering with Dell provided graphics driver. Slower browsing and not the greatest experience. Accelerated graphics? Next time!:emotion-4:

FishTank test with Firefox 4.

Google Chrome 11 not passing Microsoft's accelerated graphics speed demo with the graphics driver provided by Dell. Not embracing new web technologies.

Various HTML5, WebGL and Hardware accelerated graphics tests in a Browser 

https://demos.mozilla.org/en-US/#flight-of-the-navigator

http://ie.microsoft.com/testdrive/Views/SiteMap/Default.html

One more side effect of outdated graphic drivers when using Intel HD graphics and Dell notebook.

Once more, no hardware acceleration for Dell owners with certain PC configurations. With the latest version of Firefox 5 users can get only 10 frames per seconds on Firefox test. That leaves them firmly atached to similar productivity like the one you get using Internet Explorer 7(release 5 years ago). Apparently Dell will not update that driver. Well, you always get option to get a new PC, even as strange a notion as that may seem to be. And all this because of an outdated and buggy graphics driver support.

Latest drawback for not having Intel's graphics driver updated by Dell is incapability of installing Service pack 1 for Windows 7. 

'You do not have the option of downloading Windows 7 SP1 when you use Windows Update to check for updates

Method 4: Check whether you have Intel integrated graphics driver Igdkmd32.sys or Igdkmd64.sys and whether you upgraded the driver

Article ID: 2498452 - Last Review: April 24, 2012 - Revision: 11.0 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2498452#method4

Current Intel graphics driver provided by Dell is 8.15.10.2104. Will we get an update for this driver in order to able to install and use Windows 7 SP1 normally?

Why does Microsoft not like the outdated Intel graphics driver then? Quote : "These drivers are known to cause problems with certain applications that use D2D (Direct2D). For example, if you use these drivers together with Windows Live Mail under certain circumstances, Windows Live Mail could crash. "

Hoping for an updated and fully functional graphics driver from Dell for the sake of all the Dell notebook owners out there. It should be easily and is good Public Relations. :emotion-1:

Did you download the latest generic Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator driver? Looks like it is currently 15.22.54.64.2622.  ( downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx )

I have a studio 1749 and am getting little blue fuzzy patches (in Chrome and other programs).

How do I figure out if switching will be good or bad for my system?  

thanks

I have seen that current GENERIC drivers from Intel are up to date. However Dell does not provide support if you use generic drivers as far as I know. If you use generic drivers possibly your display backlight will change and some Dell driver customizations may be lost.

In order to install the generic driver you have to uninstall your current driver first =>reboot=>install the generic driver.

Even Intel puts a disclaimer ridding it of responsibility  : ''Usage:

These software drivers are generic versions and can be used for general purposes. However, computer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may have altered the features, incorporated customizations, or made other changes to the software or software packaging they provide. To avoid any potential installation incompatibilities on your OEM system, Intel recommends that you check with your OEM and use the software provided by your system manufacturer.  ''

If you need to you may uninstall you current Dell graphic driver and then install the generic one. If it does not suit you then just reinstall the driver provided by Dell on their support page. The graphics driver provided by Dell is two years old.