It appears that the 1.6.1 version does not utilize the graphics card on my laptop in contrast to earlier versions. In my test, I made a flat world and noted the FPS after the world was fully loaded on maximum video settings. On my computer, there is a feature to see what programs utilizes the graphics card. In 1.6.1 I get about 35 FPS and it does not utilize the graphics card. On older versions, I get about 250 FPS and it does utilize the graphics card. In case you are not scandinavian and does not understand the text on the pictures, it says: "Activity in graphical processor: None" for 1.6.1 and "Activity in graphical processor: [Java icon]" for 1.5.2.