Laptop GPU or Laptop + External GPU?

I'm looking to buy a new laptop around Thanksgiving/Christmas time, and before I was almost settled an MSI laptop until I saw the ViDock threads... Here's my question, should I buy a laptop that has a decent stock graphics card, or a laptop with a cheap integrated graphics card and hook it up to a desktop graphics card and monitor?

 

Does that ViDock thing actually have a particularly good card inside?

I wish all laptops (particularly Macs) had the ability to run external GPUs. When am I gonna play Dragon Age on the train?

Imagine a 5780 in a box you could just hook on up when you get home *drool*

 

I don't have a ViDock yet, but if I were to get one, I'd definitely not go cheap on the graphics card... After all, the only reason why I would want a ViDock is because I want a better graphics card.

 

These vidocks/diy vidocks require an external monitor - so would make sense if you want great battery life on the go but don't need gaming power on the go - or want to have a laptop and a gaming rig - but would rather the laptop fulfilled the gaming rig role too!

Note that these only give you good GPU power - so a netbook + this still might go crappy in CPU intensive areas/games.

The DIY Vidock solution means you could get a powerful gaming laptop at a lot lower price than normal, as it doesn't cost much to make and then you could just buy the desktop GPU (and sell it later when you want to upgrade) and the gear needed to make it.

In short - if you want to game on your lap / in small spaces - don't get Vidock. If you'd essentially use a laptop like a desktop replacement then it makes sense [it's cheap, it's more flexible, and easier to upgrade how you want it - so if you get a new laptop, you don't need to worry about the whole CPU/Monitor/GPU package, as this takes care of the GPU (vidock) and monitor (external)]

 

I don't really take my laptop to places, and if I do, it's for the 80 minute lecture I have to go to... And if I have to go to the lecture, I usually should not play games there 99% of the time I play games when I'm sitting in my room, so I definitely do not need all the power at other times. And I thought about getting a gaming desktop, but all the components would just cost too much, and I can't really haul my desktop to lectures every now and then, so I have to have a notebook... Anyway, when it comes to gaming, I use my laptop as a desktop, so I think this ViDock is a good solution; but I'm just certain on getting it because I want to know the downsides (other than the lack of mobility).

 

I fit all the criteria you describe above and if I weren't a diehard Mac user I'd certainly go for the external GPU. I wish I had the option.

 

A DIY Vi Dock would be your best option.. its Cheap and certainly very effective..

 

I've never heard of this ViDock but it sounds pretty interesting as my gfx card often seems to be the bottleneck for me. I just looked at a DIY Vidock option, very cool! Now if only I had an external monitor.. I have my HDTV but if that's the case rather just go console..

 

What are the exact parts I need for this ViDock?

 

Make sure you read this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5324240

and this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=397667

The real vidock comes with everything you need.
The DIY vidock option is what you make it. Meaning you can do pretty much what you want. Possible to get 8x bandwidth if you buy a notebook that has a PCI2.0 capable chipset and 3miniPCIe ports + an express card slot.

I would get a notebook with a decent GPU, then when it gets a bit old, rig up a vidock to give the notebook a longer usefull life.