Binary package hint: xserver-xorg-video-intel
I am using a Sony TX2 laptop which is shipped with Intel 915 onboard graphic. I have checked the new Intel driver with the second Ubuntu Gutsy Live CD (Tribe 3) which is shipped with the xserver-xorg-video-intel (2:2.1.0-1ubuntu1) driver and Xorg 7.3 git. It works fine with my external monitor (1680x1050) if I change the driver from "i810" to "intel" in xorg.conf but it doesn't shut down the LFP like the old i810-modesetting driver. It always show an extract of the external on the LFP (1366x768). It is possible with xrandr to disable LFP (xrandr --output LVDS --off) but Video watching or 3D animations are still impossible because of huge lags and displaced output. It seems that the monitor was disabled but the graphic card doesn't realized that. I don't have this problems with videos with i810-modesetting since this disables the monitor in xorg.conf with MonitorLayout.
But since i810-modesetting couldn't display my native laptop resolution I have to switch between the standard i810 driver (the Feisty intel driver couldn't display 1366x768 too) and modesetting everytime I want to use the external or the internal.
This seems to be fixed in current Gutsy. The problem with Clone mode is still there but this could be fixed through adding something like that to /etc/gdm/ Init/Default:
#disable lfp if external monitor is connected
if xrandr | grep -q "VGA connected"
then
xrandr --output LVDS --off
fi
Compiz works but it is very slow on 1680x1050 screen. Maybe it is fault of the weak i915 chip.