When is a dedicated graphics card needed?

[pnord]

I am wondering when a dedicated graphics card, such as a ATI or nVidia card, is really needed in a laptop? And when is integraded intel graphics enough?

I know the extra power is needed for most games, but what other programs needs it to run?

I ask because I have been looking for a cheap laptop mainly to do school work on. That is it would mainly be used to surf the web, write using open office or similar and to watch a DVD now and then. The machine would never be used for gaming.

I would just like to know how much I would be limiting my self by getting a machine with intel integrated graphics?

(Specifically I am looking at something like this: Acer Aspire 5742)

 

[hang-the-9]

Games, high def content, even some web games will have issues playing. Don't cheap out on getting a laptop, it's not like a desktop where you can upgrade most components, you are pretty much stuck with what you buy till you get a new one. If you know that you will not want to play any games or watch movies for the next 4-5 years, get any video card, otherwise it's better to spend more now than be stuck with something you don't like.

 

[pnord]

So even watching movies can be a problem? That surprises me to be honest.

 

[hang-the-9]

So even watching movies can be a problem? That surprises me to be honest.

Regular DVDs will play fine, but even then you won't have the same quality as you would with a dedicated video card. Colors, shadows, don't look as good in most integrated graphics.

 

[pnord]

OK, well that changes things a bit for me.
I was thinking maybe video and photo editing and heavy stuff like that wouldnt run so well. I didnt know that even simple things like watching movies would be effected.

 

[joshyboy82]

photo editing is processor and RAM dependant.

 

[pnord]

Best answer selected by pnord.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar