How do you know if the gfx card can be upgraded?

Hey all. I'm on my first search for a laptop and this forum has been very helpful.

One question I have is... How do you know if the graphics card in a laptop can be upgraded? I'm looking at Asus and Sony laptops right now, and cant figure it out.

Also, where do you buy the mobile graphics cards at? I'm used to just going to NewEgg for my desktop PC, but really do not see any mobile graphic cards on there.

 

Mobile graphics cards are relatively rare, and usually quite expensive compared to their desktop counterparts. What exact laptops are you considering?

 

Sagers and I think Alienware are two brands that allow for upgrading on the graphic cards. Not all models mind you but the upper ones should. Rjtech is one vendor that sells mobile video cards. Also, most likely whomever you buy from might have it for sale as well. In addition there is always ebay.

 

The Asus G series have "replaceable" video cards, but they use a format that is not interchangeable with other manufacturers, so in practice it is not really practical to change the GPU. Alienware and Clevo/Sager use MXM cards, which can in theory be changed, but there may be problems with cooling if you use something more powerful than the original. A few other laptops use MXM cards, while others have proprietary cards that are specific to that maker or model.

Usually you will find that the new cards are very expensive and only a few places carry them. There is more info at MXM Upgrade, including a description of the MXM variations and prices for some upgrades that they have completed.

 

The general rule is that laptop graphics cannot be upgraded. There are a very small number of exceptions to that, but even those exceptions have their fair share of complications with them. In other words, I wouldn't spend your time looking for a laptop with upgradeable graphics unless you know you have a big need or want for them.

 

Replacable, Removable, and Upgradable all mean different things and in many cases for laptops they are mutually exclusive. Best advice, buy a machine and plan on replacing the whole thing when you need an upgrade.

 

Thanks, you guys cleared up the questions I had. =)

 

laptop manufacturers keep making new standards for videocards to prevent you from putting a new videocard into an old laptop. I think you can put any MXM card into a new MXM laptop, but you can't put a new MXM card into an old laptop

 

General rule: if they do not explicitly advertise upgradeable graphics, you are not going to be able to upgrade it much if at all. If they do advertise modularity, assume you'll still be screwed by money-hungry companies that change the format of the modular card in the next refresh.