Intel has partnered with Chinese display manufacturer BOE to develop laptop displays that can operate at a 1 hertz refresh rate to reduce power usage. The panels will render static content, such as images, by refreshing once per second while returning to higher refresh rates for scrolling and other dynamic content. Intel and BOE say this approach can extend laptop battery life by up to 65 percent compared with prior display behavior.
The companies call the approach Multi-Frequency Display, or MFD. Through Intel graphics drivers and the operating system kernel the system will automatically recognize on-screen content and increase refresh frequency when required. That follows earlier variable refresh rate implementations that were typically limited to ranges starting around 48 hertz up to the panel’s top refresh limit. The MFD implementation makes 1 hertz part of the refresh range so static content can be shown with minimal power draw and the panel can be boosted for interactive use.
Intel and BOE also designed SmartPower HDR to address energy consumption and inconsistent brightness in high dynamic range mode. SmartPower HDR dynamically adjusts display voltage based on on-screen luminosity so brightness adapts to the footage during HDR video playback. The technology is intended to reduce power use during darker scenes while preserving visual quality in bright moments, improving overall energy efficiency for next-generation laptops.
