Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 8MB-1

[cowboy_ninja]

Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 8MB-128MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory

is this an integrated or dedicated graphics card? and what gave this fact away?

this is from the toshiba Portege M400-ST4035

thank you!

[wallen]

It is integrated graphics, and it can allocate up to 128Mb of normal system RAM to graphics functions as and when it needs it.

The two ways to know are the Intel 950 chipset designation and the 'dynamically allocated shared graphics' part. Also, if you know the model, the M400 only has the shared graphics option. No dedicated graphics. Bummer...

[cowboy_ninja]

what name should i look for?
if:

intel 950 chipset = integrated
????? = dedicated?

[wallen]

Dedicated graphics just about always come from either nVidia or ATI these days. So for instance, the Toshiba M200 came with an nVidia GeForce Go 5200 adapter (dedicated), the Toshiba M400 and Motion LE1700 slate have the Intel 945 Chipset + the Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (integrated). The Tecra M7 came with the nVidia Quadro NVS adapter (dedicated).

In summary, look for nVidia Geforce Go (gamer) and Quadro FX or NVS (workstation - CAD etc) adapters or ATI Mobility Radeon (gamer) adapters for dedicated graphics, dedicated memory, and (mostly these days) Intel 950 for integrated, shared memory. Also, don't confuse nVidia GeForce (graphics) with nForce (motherboard) chipsets... Confused yet? :-)

[cowboy_ninja]

nah i get it:

-Geforce, Quadro, Radeon = dedicated memory (what im look'n for)

-Intel chipset = integrated (not what im look'n for)

nForce = motherboard ( not to be confused with GeForce)

its all good.

few questions though:
1)whats the difference between dedicated [u]memory </u>and dedicated [u]graphics</u>?

2) i saw this: "Intel 950 GMS with 128 megs Vram up to 224 uma " whats a uma?

3) asuming i cant find a decent convertible laptop/tablet pc with dedicated video graphics card (any recommendations would be great), could i compensate by maxing out the memory (some of the tablet PC's go up to 4 GB)?

[wallen]

1) Dedicated graphics normally means that the GPU and memory are a dedicated system on the the motherboard (the nVidia, ATI solutions) whereas even integrated chipsets can have dedicated memory assigned to them.

2) UMA stands for Unified Memory Architecture, which just means that the one type of memory (in this case system memory) is shared between the different system functions (memory and graphics). Intel calls it Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT)

3) Maxing out your memory won't allow any more than the maximum (usually up to 256) video allocation. You'll just get the usual performance improvements that extra memory delivers (less swapping etc).

Remember that when it comes to choosing a computer, it really is horses for courses. For instance, while I had dedicated graphics on my M200, in the 6 months I've had my M400, I haven't missed it because my computer works for a living. I have a desktop for games (let the flames begin!). The intel integrated graphics hasn't given me any grief yet (I have 2Gb RAM). Sure, I'd rather have had dedicated graphics, but in the formfactor I wanted, with the screen size and res I wanted (12.1" 1400x1050) there weren't a lot of options. Plus, I've always liked Toshiba's, and keep coming back to them (after diversions with Thinkpads, Dell's etc).

Finally, if you give us an idea of your requirements (main useage, apps used, screen and unit size, optical drive or not etc), then I'm sure we can help you at least come up with a short list...

[cowboy_ninja]

http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/to...TOPIC_ID=35204

i had kinda the same question on the general topics forum. not much answers there. anyway all the specs im looking for are there and what i will be using it for.

feel free to change up the specs if you know they wont be needed for what i will be using it for.

[wallen]

Ok, here goes:

From your spec list, you don't seem to have a preference for teeny tiny versus monster luggable, and if you are doing a heap of media creation, the larger screen real estate supplied by the full size tablets (like the Tecra M7) will probably suit your needs best. This, however, presents it's own problems, in that there are very few full size tablets out there. Both the Tecra and Satellite models from Toshiba are currently unavailable, I'm assuming pending updates. Acer made one as well (the C314) but it is discontinued also.

On top of that, you are right, there are no mainstream tablets currently shipping with dedicated graphics. The Toshiba Tecra M7 (which had the Quadro card in it) has been pulled (as mentioned). Very unusual for Toshiba, in that they have, in the past, sold both new models and their superseded counterparts side by side for a period of time, so why the M7 is no longer available is beyond me. It probably would've fitted you pretty well. That being said, guaranteed you could pick up most of these discontinued units from resellers who still have stock. They'd still be new units with warranty, and would probably be at a discounted price. It may be your only option if you MUST have dedicated graphics. From what you describe as your primary uses, I don't believe you'll need it. Check shopper.cnet.com or www.shopping.com or similar product search sites. I saw that CompUSA and Buy.com have it in stock. Not sure of your location, so you may need to look harder if you're not in the US of A.

I doubt you'll find a tablet without WiFi, but option up bluetooth as well. The Toshiba M400 and R400 also support a new integrated WWAN card (3G mobile phone on a card) for easy connection to HSDPA cellular data services. Not sure if any other units available yet support them, do a Buzz search and see.

As for 'upgrades' to meet your needs, the Core 2 Duo 7200 processor (2Gb) is right in the sweet spot, as upgrading to faster processors is unreasonably expensive. Try an extra $500-$700 to go to the 2.33 T7600!

While both Hitachi an Seagate make a 100Gb 7200 latop hard drive, the current Big Kahuna of latop performance has to be the Fujitsu MHW2160BJ 160Gb 7200RPM drive (see http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/c...60bj-sata.html). While I don't know anyone who has one (they are fairly new) I'm looking forward to needing the upgrade myself :-p.

Most newer units support going to 4Gb RAM (2x2Gb modules) but the 2 Gig modules are almost illegally overpriced, so you'll be sticking with 2x1Gb modules for now, I think.

Make sure you option up a DVD burner as well...

I'm biased toward the Toshiba's mainly because of the high-res displays, which is why so many folk in graphics and multimedia use them. Although saying that, the M7 has a weirdo Wide XGA+ 1440x900 display while the Portege line get the SXGA+ 1400x1050 screens, which actually have more screen real estate in a normal 4:3 format. Their build quality is second to none (mostly) and Toshiba are a big R&D shop, so while other manufacturers source parts from all over to build their units, Toshiba not only builds their own, but also supply lots of parts to other OEM's.

Are you any closer yet? :-D

[cowboy_ninja]

i am so close to tossing out th dedicated graphics card idea ( you said it yourself that i probably wont need it... and honestly so does everyone else) but i did look into the M7 hopeing to strike gold. sadly no dice. im still not deeing dedicated graphics only the "intel-graphics-accelerator-something-or-other"

beside that i think my second choice would have to be the fujitsu lifebook 4215. though the 720 rpm 160 GB hardrive you mentioned seems to only be sold separately. would i have to buy it separately and instal it into the 4215 myself?

also your last paragraph kinda confused me (i havent quit figured out the display terminology yet). am i right in understanding that you prefer the toshiba for multimedia and graphic uses and for its higher build quality? and more specifically the protege line?

[PR.]

What are you intending to use the machine for? (Sorry if you mentioned this somewhere I didn't see it when reading back)

Unless you are intending to play lots of games or some kind of intensive 3D work I don't think you should throw out the machine you find ideal just because it doesn't have the best graphics card.

I've got the M400 and while the graphics card is a 'little' weak it does play the occasional older game but I mostly use it for work and studying anyway.