Mobile Intel HD Graphics vs. Nvidia

[mike2rc]

I’ve been shopping around the web for a sub $1000.00 laptop. Some brands/models come with Mobile Intel HD Graphics. CostCo has a Lenovo® IdeaPad U410 that’s equipped with 32GB SSD Cache NVIDIA® GeForce® 610M 1GB Graphics.

Roughly, where does the Intel graphics stand against Nvidia? I would think Nvidia would have the technology edge. I don’t game but I would be using PhotoShop, Lightroom, etc. for photo editing so accurate color and monitor image quality are important.

Thanks,
Mike

[SpywareDr]

Most laptop monitors are TN (twisted nematic) panels, which only have 6 bits per RGB color and can not produce true color. Those with an IPS (in-plane switching) monitor will have the necessary 8-12 bits per RGB color in order to accurately reproduce 16.7 million colors.

[bistro]

Right now there are a lot of computer companies that are busy trying to dump their laptop stocks that have Intel HD Graphics 3000 to make room for the HD4000 chip. Buyer beware.

The former could handle routine stuff but had a difficult time rendering games and/or high-end photo apps. But the HD4000 is more powerful/improved and could probably well handle the apps you spoke of. Still, no integrated graphics chip can beat a dedicated graphics card for gaming or photo apps. If you can afford a system with the dedicated graphics card (like Nvidia...the best IMHO), I would recommend you definitely go for that. Also, 4GB of system memory is nice, but if you can get 6 or above, all the better.

[SpywareDr]

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Laptop Guide: Advantages of IPS Display Laptops and Where to Find Them

[Shinma]

... Roughly, where does the Intel graphics stand against Nvidia? ...

Link,

• Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart

[mike2rc]

Thanks for the heads up on the HD chip as not in a real rush to buy yet. I added a GTX 500 Ti card to my PC case with an i7 CPU and it works great.

Are all graphics cards integrated with laptops? That's what I "assumed" leaving graphics upgrades very difficult with laptops.

Mike

[bistro]

"Integrated graphics" are just that....its permanent. You can't upgrade it. But as with gaming laptops, the graphics card ("dedicated graphics") is removable and can be upgraded (although there are restrictions dependent upon the motherboard).

If your budget permits it, look for a laptop that has the new Ivy Bridge CPU in it and an Nvidia graphics card. Nvidia has incorporated a technology into their mobile cards that will sense the diff between a routine graphics op (i.e. Word, Excel) and a graphics-intensive op such as a high-end game. It then switches between the graphics card (games, photo apps) and the HD4000 (routine ops) as appropriate. Pretty nifty....saves power.

[mike2rc]

Thanks for the info...that answers my question!

Mike

[bistro]

I feel that I need to make a slight qualification on my last post. Regarding gaming laptops and the Nvidia "saving power": Gaming laptops are really designed to operate while plugged in...not simply on battery. Normal laptops can go for awhile on battery doing routine ops, but gaming laptops chew up battery power like Boy Scouts on S'mores when playing games. So, that Nvidia power saving technology is nice to have, but most of the time you will (should) have the gaming laptop OFF of the battery anyway.

[mike2rc]

Thanks for the info! I only play COD MW2 & 3 on my desktop but would only use a laptop for PhotoShop etc.

I have the Logitech MK 700 combo and it seems you can only get so far on a game with an average mosue/keyboard.

Mike