Don't know if HD 4600 or Dedicated. Max $850 laptop with a bit of future proofing.

jukebox12

Estimable
Jun 23, 2014
5
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4,510
I found a few laptops that are 15 inch, 1080p resolution, and latest quadcore i7s. Trouble is I don't know if I should go with HD 4600 that's cheaper, or a dedicated which will cost more.

I want to finally watch 1080p video that doesn't stutter and maybe the same with 1440p video. What do you guys see on the horizon in internet media? 2K video? 4K? Webms? Also a bit of CAD and maybe good settings on SimCity 2013.

I'm coming from an 8 year old 17 inch Dell Inspiron E1705. Dual Core 2 GHz, 2 Gig RAM, 256 mb video card, and 50 GB. I'm down to my last Gig and the laptop is slow with MANY tabs open.
 


For simple everyday tasks and watching videos... yes.

For games and CAD.... no.


While a dedicated graphic chip can potentially be more powerful (depends on which one graphic chip model), even that will not be able to play games coming out 5 - 8 years from now.

For best "future proof" you need a desktop since that allows you to upgrade the CPU, GPU (graphics card) and other things. Only specific models of expensive gaming oriented laptops allows you to upgrade the GPU and even then it will be very expensive; $300 - $600 for a high end laptop GPU assuming you can find one.
 

jukebox12

Estimable
Jun 23, 2014
5
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4,510
Well if that's the case, then can you tell me if the HD 4600 can easily play 1440p video and Bluray? If so, then I guess i'll settle down for something cheaper.
 

jukebox12

Estimable
Jun 23, 2014
5
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4,510


USA.

I thought having a dedicated GPU would futureproof it better than an integrated one.

My old Dell inspiron has served me well for 8 years. I bought it with an okay graphics card and it's lasted me this long. It plays 720p video fine, but stutters with 1080p. I also wondered if maybe 2k or 4k might be the future video resolution and a dedicated video card would help with that instead of integrated.

 

iceclock

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Dec 4, 2010
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ur laptop wont have 4k resolution not even worth thinking about atm.

do u need more processing power or dedicated graphics because in ur budget u gotta make a choice.

 

jukebox12

Estimable
Jun 23, 2014
5
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4,510


I don't know what the HD 4600 is capable of. Hopefully some of you guys can answer that.