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 |
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 1 GB of shared RAM is
running a video program that uses 128 MB of RAM, your system RAM is reduced to less than 900 MB of RAM.
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, extended battery
life, or you are buying a low cost laptop.
|
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