Undecided over integrated or dedicated gfx

I'm getting a laptop for college, but still undecided on whether to get a dedicated or an integrated graphics.

For dedicated gfx:

1. When I switch the laptop to power-saving mode, will Vista still be able to run Aero? Or, will it run Basic instead?

2. I know that dedicated will consume more power than integrated.
But, if I'm not not running games or anything graphics-intensive, will dedicated gfx consume about the same battery life as an integrated gfx? And, be as cool as an integrated gfx?

For integrated gfx (in particular Intel 965GM):

3. Is it sufficient for simple web designing, viewing movies and viewing HD movies?

4. Can it support playback on an external monitor?

5. Can it play Second Life?

6. Can it play CS?

7. I know NFS cannot be played. But, what does it mean? The game cannot be loaded at all or it can load, but I can only play it at the lowest setting?

Thanks!

 

I have a X3100 integrated card, and I think it can run those in low quality settings, since its benched better than my last card, a 32mb Nvidia (look for a big list of video benchmarks somewhere) which ran those, Source, NFS, etc. But if you're loaded, check out the XG Station developed by Asus. It runs the sh*t hot desktop cards externally. The main issue is using its 1x pipe for a 16x card, but tests with a card taped over some of its connections show that there is an insignificant (mostly) decrease in fps.

edit: I can't answer your specific game questions 100% but integrated cards usually output to VGA, which is the crappy standard. If you're looking for DVI, you're gonna have to search harder, or look to a Mac. Even if you're running the same simple programs, dedicated will take more juice, obviously since it has more parts and stuff. Benches exist there. Dedicated cards should definitely run aero all the time, since the x3100 can too. Unless you you use a program that turns it off during battery use.

 

but, how much more power does dedicated consumes than integrated? in terms of hours, how much shorter? 30 mins? anything significant?

and, if i use integrated gfx, can graphics be displayed on the tv if i connect my laptop to the tv via S-Video?

 

Aero will work perfectly on power saving.

No and no. Dedicated even on power saving modes will always take up more power than integrated. Taking a Zepto 6*24 series, the integrated machine has a battery life of 2.5 hours, dedicated has 2 hours. Dedicated will also always run slightly hotter, but Integrated utilises the cpu for some things so your cpu will run hotter when an integrated cpu is taxed.

Web designing yes, viewing movies yes, HD movies I don't see why not.

Yes, up to very high resolutions.

I have no idea, I'm afraid. My dad tried second life on his desktop. I'd guess it might not run too well.

CS 1.6 yes, CS:S.... probably only on lowest settings.

Which Need For Speed game? Underground and Underground 2 should play on low settings. Most Wanted will run on lowest settings I'd imagine but not too well, Carbon probably wouldn't be playable at all. This is speculation though.

If you wish to play games like CS:S and NFS Carbon I would suggest paying extra for a good dedicated Video card and a nice battery, that way you might get the best of both.

 

Thanks for your reply!

What's your definition of a nice battery?

Is it possible to run 4 hours on dedicated gfx in power-saving mode?

And, which laptop manufacturers allow me to change the internal battery to a 9-cell battery pack? I know Dell allows this.

 

Not if you are using it!

 

But, if the laptop only has a dedicated gfx, no integrated gfx...

and, i'm not gaming and disabled Aero..

is it possible to run 4 hrs?

can i actually switch off the dedicated gfx manually even though there' no integrated gfx in place?

 

IF you have a 14-15 screen, low brightness and a good size battery.

 

there are low-end dedicated cards that don't suck ur battery much. i would get dedicated just incase you wanna play a new game, even if it will be on its lowest settings.

 

With an adequate battery. I'd suggest 9-cell or more, preferably 12 cell. I know dell offer 9-cell batteries as an option.

There are a couple of laptops that have dedicated and intaegrated graphisc so that one can play games and optimise battery when both are needed. These are the Sony SZ series and the Asus U3 which has yet to be released. Other than this you could underclock the dedicated graphics which should help a bit with battery life.

 

Sony SZ has a built-in web cam. the specs say

Effective Pixels: 640 x 480
Image Device: 1/8" VGA CMOS
Lens: 2 elements in 2 groups, F4
Focus distance:f=1.74mm

Does it mean it's a VGA camera? So, it's not even 1 megapixel?

 

I believe you are right.

 

can someone explain what's a slot-loading DVD drive?

Dell's XPS 1330 has it.

is it the same as fujitsu's swappable drive?

 

Slot load is like a single CD player in a car dasboard or like the DVD drive in an iMac. Instead of a drawer popping out and one placing the DVD inside and closing it as with most laptops, the DVD simply slides in and out by itself through a slot in the side of the drive.