More confused than ever!

I'd appreciate your opinions on how big a difference there is between an ATI mobility radeon 9200 and a 9600.

I'll be doing Paint Shop Pro editing/modifying original paintings for use in professional-looking books.

A salesman at Best Buy who seemed very knowledgeable told me that with the 9600, the on-screen images would look better and clearer -- resulting in better quality printed images. He knew I was deciding between the HPZT3000 in his store, which has the 9200 -- and a Micro Express with a 9600 -- which his store doesn't carry. He actually advised me to go with the 9600.

Thanks everyone for your input -- this forum is great.

 

Actually, since you're using it for photo editing, you should seen no noticable quality difference. The main advantage you will get would be the performance enhancement in games and high-end graphics (photos included). Your photos will load and render a lot faster with the better video card. The sales person was correct, go for the 9600, but I'm not too sure about the Micro Express brand. They don't seem to be a very big name in the market and I'd personally feel more secure buying a big brand name notebook. If you're concerned about price, there are other brands that may offer a good price/features that may not have the BIG name brand, but are know in the market. Companies like Gateway/eMachines (same company now) & Averatec.

-Vb-

 

The salesman is not very knowledgeable. You will be absolutely fine with any modern dedicated graphics card for 2D editing job.

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Rob

 

Thanks so much! You've definitely reduced my stress level on this one.[ ]

 

If your not a pc gamer or photo editor is there any other reason to get the 9600? I know it's a sharper image but the only way that would matter to me is when I watch dvd's. Is there that much of a difference in watching dvd movies on a zx5000 with the 9600 instead of the 9200?

 

The ATI 9600 will not give you a sharper image in standard system usage. The main improvement you will see is in games. If the game is designed with features that the card supports, you'll get the enhancement there. Also, high-end graphics design will get a performance increase, but it won't look better. Watching DVD's wouldn't matter which video card you have. The 9200 will do the job. Actually, you can go with any older video card and it would still be fine. The 9600 is just for gamers and high-end graphics designers/3D renderers.

-Vb-