Recommended Notebook Features - continued
Video Memory and Screen Resolution Table
|
Type of Output
|
Maximum Screen Size |
Number of Colors
|
Video RAM Required |
| VGA |
640x480 |
16 |
1 MB |
| SVGA |
800x600 |
256 |
1 - 2 MB |
| XGA |
1024x768 |
64K-16M |
4 MB |
| SXGA |
1280x1024 |
16M |
8 MB |
| Super XGA+ |
1400x1050 |
16M |
8 MB |
| Ultra XGA |
1600x1200 |
16M |
8 MB |
Recommended Minimum Video Memory* - Try to get
2MB or more. Less than 2MB and you may have difficulty running programs
in Super VGA resolutions. To get true color (XGA - 16 million colors)
on an external monitor, the graphics adapter needs 4MB of video memory
(note: the notebook's graphics adapter must also be capable of
producing the desired amount of colors, make sure before you buy).
Laptops with no dedicated video memory. If your notebook lists
the term "shared memory" in its specifications, it is likely
that it contains no dedicated video memory. The video controller shares
system RAM with the CPU, eliminating the requirement for dedicated Video
RAM. For notebooks that use shared RAM, the video controller's capability
is the limiting factor for screen resolution.
There are two drawbacks to shared RAM: The video controller
accesses shared RAM slower than dedicated Video RAM, and the memory
used by the video card reduces total system RAM available to software
programs. For example, if your notebook with 64 MB of shared RAM is
running in XGA mode, you would have only 60 MB of RAM available for
programs. So if your software program requires 64 MB of system RAM,
you are out of luck.
So what is good about shared RAM? Shared RAM allows manufacturers
to cut cost, size, and heat generation by eliminating Video RAM. As
a result, you will usually see shared RAM in lower cost laptops, notebooks,
and desktops.
|
Hint: Avoid notebooks with shared RAM unless
you are interested in low power consumption and extended battery
life.
|
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