Laptop graphics card?

tdodd wrote in post #4289805
Some laptops do have user upgradeable graphics, but it is usually on top line models, especially gaming specials and boutique exotics. Here is a more modest Dell E1705 (equivalent to the UK Inspiron 9400, I think), being dismantled to upgrade the graphics.

http://www.legitreview​s.com/article/349/1/

I was careful in my choice of words. Normally you cannot upgrade graphics, but in a few models you can. It is inaccurate to say that none can be upgraded.

yeah, unless you get a 3000$ gaming notebook, on 90% of laptop you cant change the gfx chip

Don't forget that you want a graphics card that can output a decent resolution to an external monitor... if you want an external monitor that is

Steve, if you're gonna get a 17", consider one with a higher resolution screen. It helps alot for things like photography editing and such. Some companies like Dell offer screen upgrades to WUXGA+ for 17" notebooks (1920 x 1200) and I'd definitely look into that. And if it's going to be plugged into the wall, I'd definitely look into the faster hard disk, whether with the laptop or a future upgrade.

SunTsu wrote in post #4289836
The main reason for getting a dedicated graphics card is for processing power as opposed to memory. i.e. video games require huge rendering capabilities. Photoshop is all 2D so IMO, it would be better to spend more money on system memory than a graphics card.

Pretty much, good post.

adamlc wrote in post #4290866
Don't forget that you want a graphics card that can output a decent resolution to an external monitor... if you want an external monitor that is

Most integrated graphics solutions can actually output a fairly good range of resolutions to external displays. One of my older laptops with an Intel GMA 900 has no problems doing most upto WSXGA+.. can't remember if it does WUXGA+ - probably not.

perfect_pixel wrote in post #4289790
Thanks Cr4zYH3aD, will bear that in mind.

On another note does anyone use Vista's 'Readyboost', uses a USB flash drive as extra RAM? Does it work or is it just a gimmick with no noticeable performance gain?

Thanks,
Steve

Readyboost is not extra RAM. Instead it copies small and commonly used files from the hard drive. The access time of flash memory means it can grab what it can need even quicker. It does make a difference but not a huge one. But then a 1Gb card is only $17 so its not like it costs a lot to use.

I got an Inspiron 1720 with 2Gb RAM, Core2 something, and the 8600GT. Was $1080 shipped so a great laptop at the price.

OK, here's my impression after using both integrated (Intel GMA950 64 mb system RAM as VRAM on a 2 gHz MacBook) and dedicated (ATI Radeon X1600 128 mb real VRAM on a 2.4 gHz MacBook Pro). Both machines with 2 gigs of RAM and running CS3 and Aperture concurrently.

There is not much difference in image processing speed with my 30D raw files.

Quite frankly, for photography and video applications only, I really see no reason to go with a dedicated graphics card unless you want to drive a 30" external display. The $1200 MacBook was only slightly slower than the $2300 MacBook Pro, each rendering raw files in about 1 to 2 seconds in Aperture, and this was probably more of a function of the slower processor in the MacBook (T7200 vs. T7700; both of which are kick-@$$ processors, especially on the Santa Rosa chipset).

I'm curious, what's your budget for a laptop?

2GB of ram you don't need the card. The card will mostly help with your monitor (mainly additional) more than just operating CS3. Unless you game or have multiple monitors, don;t let someone sell you a nice graphics card. The one with the comp will do fine, unless it's made by Acer or something.

I do all my work on a 3 year old Dell Inspiron 9100, Pentium 4 3.0GHz, 512MB RAM [ouch, i know], 60GB 5400rpm HD, and a 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9700AGP. Its got the standard 15.4" monitor, and i also run a 22" Viewsonic monitor in dual desktop thru DVI, both at 1680x1050. CS3 has no issues, and i often run Lightroom at the same time, with a noticable, yet workable loss of fluidity. The dedicated card is good, because they generally support higher resolutions, more flexible outputs, and more adjustments and tweaks in your display settings. And since you can't upgrade a GPU like you can with RAM, i say go for the GPU.

Thanks everyone for your help. Things seem a lot clearer now rather than just taking the shop assistants word as Gospel!

I am now looking at the Dell Vostro range?

Seems to offer the right specs as well as not too expensive graphics cards and the Truelife screen with optional 1900x1200 resolution. I've read a couple of things about the screen being very reflective but as I will be using it almost exclusively indoors it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Does anyone have one of these or good/bad opinions?

Can't decide whether to bite the bullet now or wait until xmas for any sales, do Dell (UK) have many offers at Christmas?

Also keeping an eye on fleabay at a couple of shops who seem to have these regularly.

Was saving for a new prime for portraits but guess that's my laptop budget now...


Steve

Truelife vs regular screens is an interesting choice. You do get a nicer looking screen. Colours are better and it seems somehow sharper (even at the same resolution). It really does have a problem with reflections though.

So if you are only going to be using it in one place and can control the lighting its a good thing. If you'll move around the house, go to a coffee shop, work in the back garden, you may be better off with a regular display.

And of course if you are only working in one area you can get a better desktop for less money.

Citizensmith wrote in post #4295177
Truelife vs regular screens is an interesting choice. You do get a nicer looking screen. Colours are better and it seems somehow sharper (even at the same resolution). It really does have a problem with reflections though.

So if you are only going to be using it in one place and can control the lighting its a good thing. If you'll move around the house, go to a coffee shop, work in the back garden, you may be better off with a regular display.

And of course if you are only working in one area you can get a better desktop for less money.

Yep, I know a desktop would probably be wiser but a laptop is appealing because I spend most of every day sat at a desk with a PC and at home I hate sitting in a corner of the dining room typing and clicking away.

There have also been plenty of times when I would have liked to see pictures in detail immediately after I have shot them rather than go home and find I've focussed on a nose instead of an eye etc. Pretty sure I will always be able to find somewhere shaded enough to do this (England is hardly the land of overwhelming sunshine ).

I was going to go for the truelife option because of the extra resolution and the last laptop I had was a Toshiba with a matte screen which looked like every picture was taken through a layer of vaseline on the element .


Steve

perfect_pixel wrote in post #4294795
Thanks everyone for your help. Things seem a lot clearer now rather than just taking the shop assistants word as Gospel!

I am now looking at the Dell Vostro range?

Seems to offer the right specs as well as not too expensive graphics cards and the Truelife screen with optional 1900x1200 resolution. I've read a couple of things about the screen being very reflective but as I will be using it almost exclusively indoors it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Does anyone have one of these or good/bad opinions?

Can't decide whether to bite the bullet now or wait until xmas for any sales, do Dell (UK) have many offers at Christmas?

Also keeping an eye on fleabay at a couple of shops who seem to have these regularly.

Was saving for a new prime for portraits but guess that's my laptop budget now...

Steve

ive had my Vostro for 2 weeks now and its a great bit of kit, its slightly bulkier than a lot of other laptops, but it seems well built and good value for money

i chose the matte screen as the reflections on the truelife would annoy me

i got this deal, which i thought was quite good

15" matte screen
t7250 core2duo
2 gig ram
160gb harddisk
8600gt M gfx card
vista business
9 cell battery
2 yrs next business day warranty
optical mouse

cost £628

if you phone Dell you can try and get a better price, at the time i ordered mine the price i got was the lowest they could possibly give me + i saved about 40% on the extra warranty and just before i agreed i cheekily asked if they would chuck the mouse in for free, which they did

To see if there are any Dell bargains hiding anywhere try looking at this website - http://www.dmxdimensio​n.com/ - where they normally root out the best deals.

If you see something you like the look of then go to the Dell site via www.quidco.com, which will give you cash back on your purchases with many online retailers. You have to join up, with a £5 annual fee but the fee is taken from your cash backs, not paid up front. I've been a member for 2.5 years and netted a little over £300 to date. At the moment there is 5% cash back on pre-VAT prices at Dell.

Alternatively, try this guy on eBay - http://stores.ebay.co.​uk/EComputers-LTD . I bought my XPS M1710 from him in January, placing the order on a Saturday and receiving delivery the following Tuesday. He buys from Dell in bulk and resells them brand new. I had a three year on site warranty, which had been running for about 10 days by the time I received my machine, but it was fully sealed and brand new. I also got my free Vista upgrade and the warranty is recorded on the Dell website so everything is above board. I saved close to £400 against Dell's online price at the time. You get Quidco cash back for eBay purchases too

jbuk1975 wrote in post #4295938
ive had my Vostro for 2 weeks now and its a great bit of kit, its slightly bulkier than a lot of other laptops, but it seems well built and good value for money

i chose the matte screen as the reflections on the truelife would annoy me

i got this deal, which i thought was quite good

15" matte screen
t7250 core2duo
2 gig ram
160gb harddisk
8600gt M gfx card
vista business
9 cell battery
2 yrs next business day warranty
optical mouse

cost £628

if you phone Dell you can try and get a better price, at the time i ordered mine the price i got was the lowest they could possibly give me + i saved about 40% on the extra warranty and just before i agreed i cheekily asked if they would chuck the mouse in for free, which they did

Thanks for the info, didn't know that Dell was open to negotiation . Will try ringing them tomorrow!

tdodd wrote in post #4296019
To see if there are any Dell bargains hiding anywhere try looking at this website - http://www.dmxdimensio​n.com/ - where they normally root out the best deals.

If you see something you like the look of then go to the Dell site via www.quidco.com, which will give you cash back on your purchases with many online retailers. You have to join up, with a £5 annual fee but the fee is taken from your cash backs, not paid up front. I've been a member for 2.5 years and netted a little over £300 to date. At the moment there is 5% cash back on pre-VAT prices at Dell.

Alternatively, try this guy on eBay - http://stores.ebay.co.​uk/EComputers-LTD . I bought my XPS M1710 from him in January, placing the order on a Saturday and receiving delivery the following Tuesday. He buys from Dell in bulk and resells them brand new. I had a three year on site warranty, which had been running for about 10 days by the time I received my machine, but it was fully sealed and brand new. I also got my free Vista upgrade and the warranty is recorded on the Dell website so everything is above board. I saved close to £400 against Dell's online price at the time. You get Quidco cash back for eBay purchases too

Thanks for the links, I've used Quidco before and it tracked without any problems and I was just in touch with 'thechef01' on ebay and got quick answers to my questions on a Sunday PM which is a good sign.

Cheers,


Steve

I'd personally get the least amount of memory from the laptop manufacturer and get aftermark RAM.

You can get it at least 60% cheaper aftermarket

jrdbrn wrote in post #4298040
I'd personally get the least amount of memory from the laptop manufacturer and get aftermark RAM.

You can get it at least 60% cheaper aftermarket

That's true, but for the processor he wants (high end 800MHz FSB Merom/Santa Rosa chipset), it's likely the manufacturer wouldn't bundle anything less than 1GB to start with. 2GB most likely nowadays.

The after market RAM deal by nature works well if you were after a budget laptop.. not so well with higher end laptops.