Graphics memory

Hey, I'm after a laptop, not sure which size or anything like that. I'd like a good performance laptop, (but don't really need one) the reason I want a high performance laptop is I want it to be future proof.

I've started many a thread saying that I'm after a small powerful notebook, and then i change my mind and decide I want a DTR. But I've come to realize that I'd like a fairly good graphics card, RAM can always be upgraded but the graphics card can't (I think). But one question I have, are there any small notebooks with high end graphics cards? (256mb +) Either that or the mainstream size notebooks with 512mb+?

Also I've heard of this turbo memory, can that be used as memory towards the graphics card, so if you have a 256mb graphics card & 1gb of turbo memory... can that then give you a total of 1280mb (i think) of graphics memory?
If so, when your playing a game will the laptop know that you want to use all of the turbo memory for playing the game, or do you have to set that yourself?

So many questions!

 

Go to the What Notebook To Buy section and fill that out.

But when you are stating small, in what way? No laptop as of yet comes with 512MB, most 14" comes with 128MB and 15" can come with 256MB, mind you those 256MB cards are no joke. Like the 570M on the T61's or the 8600 GT's that are on the Dell's.

Turbo memory has nothing to do with the graphics card it helps run windows processes and cache quicker and faster without having to page the hard drive so much. In effect, helps with longer battery life and other things *ie: loading times* Hope that helps a little bit.

 

There is Alienware m15X. http://www.alienware.com/product_pages/notebook_m15x.aspx?source=ECH0026
512MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800M GTX, 15.4" screen, 1.30” x 14.55” x 10.73”, 7 pounds. The most powerful 15" notebook. But notice that it's quite heavy.

There is LG P300.
http://gadtechpoint.blogspot.com/2007/11/lg-unveils-new-laptop-premium-class-lg.html
GeForce 8600M GS 256 MB, 13.3" screen, 315 x 236.5 x 21,2-32,1 mm, 1.65 kg. The most powerful 13.3" notebook. Very light and thin but notice that it doesn't have internal DVD. Only external.

There are plenty mainstream size notebooks with 512MB VRAM if you don't mind carrying a brick that would break your neck. Sony AR and Alienware m17x come to mind.

 

Yeah that helps loads, the only reason I asked about the Turbo memory & being used for graphics memory is because on Toshiba's website with the Satellite x205, it says it can have a total of nearly 2gb of graphics memory because it incorporates turbo cache technology, so thats what gave me the impression that all laptops with turbo cache can use it for this purpose.
As for the whole size & graphics card thing, I hadn't seen a 14" notebook with anything more than 128mb. I've seen a couple of laptops with a 512bm card, the Toshiba Qosmio has one and so does a Dell in the XPS range (but cant remember which), anyway thanks for telling me about the whole turbo cache thing, its much appreciated!