Using HDMI to external monitor/Graphic Card

If buying a laptop for work (no gaming etc.) but plan on connecting it to a 23 inch external display w/ HDMI does it make a difference in clarity or resolution if it has an intergrated Intel HD graphics card or an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650? And if the laptop specs say 1366 x 768 is that all I'm gonna get on the external display as well? I was looking into the TOSHIBA Satellite L655-S5165 at Newegg Newegg.com - TOSHIBA Satellite L655-S5165 NoteBook Intel Core i5 480M(2.66GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 and was wondering if it was worth the $800 or should I settle for the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 or an Intel HD. It's for my father so it has to be very clear on his 23 inch screen. Is the graphics card what decides the resolution on an external display?

 

It shouldn't make a difference based on those 2 options.
Here's a good site that ranks/reviews laptops graphics cards:
Comparison of Laptop Graphics Cards - Notebookcheck.net Tech
[The 5650 is ranked as a good midrange(class 2) card; IntelHD is ranked as a lower-end class-3/class-4 card; ATI 4250 is ranked similar as IntelHD]
Thus: 5650>>>IntelHD/4250

IntelHD
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (GMA X4500MHD) - Notebookcheck.net Tech

ATI 4250 (integrated; about same performance as IntelHD)
ATI Radeon HD 4250 - Notebookcheck.net Tech

ATI 5650
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 - Notebookcheck.net Tech

The graphics adapter does have a resolution limit, but it should be able to display a higher resolution than 1366x768. A few months ago I connected a 20 inch Samsumg display to a Core-2-Duo desktop with the OLDER intel integrated graphics. It still was able to display 1920×1080 (1080i/p) resolution.

If your father is mainly going to do everyday tasks (word, excel, internet, email, etc...) then the Intel or ATI 4250 should be fine. The graphics card DOES determine the resolution, HOWEVER most graphics card (dedicated or integrated) can display 1920×1080 resolutions just fine. However, the 5650 will be able to do most graphics intensive projects your father throws at it (should be able to do all except latest computer games).

One thing to note, the NEW Intel chipset came out last week and were starting to see them for sale in stores (Sandy Bridge Chipset). They can be identified by the i5/i7 core, but have a 4 digit number code; instead of a 3 digit numeric code. [Example: i7-2630 vs i7-740].

The new Sandy Bridge is supposed to be faster and have better integrated graphics. The new Integrated graphics is supposed to be on par to lower end ATI/Nvidia cards.

Sandy Bridge-IntelHD are ranked as a better class 3 card; still NOT as good as your 5650 option.

Sandy Bridge IntelHD
Intel HD Graphics 3000 - Notebookcheck.net Tech


Good luck and keep us updated with your decision.

 

I'm considering getting my dad the similar L655-S5161WHX which is the core i3 version. I searched and found this thread so I'm posting my questions here instead of starting a new topic.

Here is a NewEgg link:
Newegg.com - TOSHIBA Satellite L655-S5161WHX NoteBook Intel Core i3 2310M(2.10GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1333 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics 3000

I would like for him to be able to play video from the computer on his TV and I want to make sure it can connect via HDMI to his 37" Panasonic TC-37LZ85 HDTV and run the native resolution for that TV which is 1080P so that it is not scaling anything.

I'd also like to know if anyone who as a Fusion Helios White Toshiba machine could comment on or post pictures of the finish.