Ok first post on the forum for me.
belphanior wrote:I would definitely think hard about NOT getting separate Nvidia/ATI graphics and going with integrated Intel graphics instead.
Intel graphics use dramatically less power because there is no fast separate graphics chip+graphics ram.
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17'' for a pure desktop replacement (really hard to transport, but decent screen size)
15'' for a mixed mobile/desktop machine
14'' and under for true mobility (only slightly larger than a piece of paper, so it'll fit in most bags etc.)
I would say stay away from the Intel graphics. Why? I just bought a Dell 830 with the intergrated Intel graphics and it will not play most of the current games. Civ IV nope, CoH (like a dog)
Why?
http://www.systemrequirementslab.com lists it as
You Have: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family ()
Civ IV Video HW Transform & Lighting: Required - Yes , You have - No
World of Warcraft will run in a basic mode. but for the "Suggested" from the company SRL gives
Video Card Features - Minimum attributes of your Video Card Video RAM: Required - 64 MB , You have - 137.0 MB
Video Card 3D Acceleration: Required - Yes , You have - Yes
Video HW Transform & Lighting: Required - Yes , You have - No
Vertex Shader Ver.: Required - 2.0 , You have - 0.0
Pixel Shader Ver.: Required - 2.0 , You have - 3.0
Would suggest it if you run older games or are just going to surf and write but for anything current, I would say avoid.
As for the screen size I went with 15.4WUXGA The best screen Dell offered in a Medium size. Big enough I can travel and not strain using the normal laptop screen. If I want bigger I connect it to a LCD computer monitor for home use.
Hope this helps.
