Computer trade offs

[rach3975]

If you had to choose, would you get a laptop which will run PS better (graphics card with 4 GB dedicated memory vs. just the integrated graphics) or a better screen (1920 x 1080 vs. 1366 x 768)? Both are 15.6" Dells running i7 processors and have 8 GB system RAM. Both have Windows 8.1 installed, but the one with the better graphics card is already optimized for Windows 10.

My computer died unexpectedly at 18 months (due to a design flaw that HP supposedly repaired for free for me a few months ago, but that's a story for another thread ). So I'm in the market for a new laptop but will have to make some trade offs since I'm using the money I'd been saving for a camera and can't wait and save more. I'm leaning toward the computer with the less impressive screen and the graphics card, but it's hard to tell if the screen quality will bother me when all I can try it with are the pre-installed photos in the store. The laptop with the better screen and lesser graphics capability is $100 more and has features I don't care about, like a touch screen. I'm also going down from a 17.3" screen (which I loved!) to the 15.6". But I'm temporarily using an old computer with a 17 inch screen that's 1600x900 and the quality is fine, so maybe it wouldn't bother me as much as I'm worried it would. Thanks!

 

[anelia]

If it were me, I'd choose the one with the better graphic card because it'll perform better. The screen resolution doesn't really bother me.

 

[rach3975]

If it were me, I'd choose the one with the better graphic card because it'll perform better. The screen resolution doesn't really bother me.

That's how I'm leaning, too. I was remembering my broken computer as having a much better screen, but I just went and looked it up and that one was also 1600x900. So it's probably only a small step down in screen quality from the one I had to the laptop I'm considering with the better graphics card.

 

[Kiana]

Yup graphics definitely!!

 

[lovely1m]

I agree with the others, the first one.

 

[Sherri Tierney]

Can you upgrade the graphics card later on the one with a better monitor? If you could, that would be my choice. I have a hard time with poor screen resolution though. It gives me headaches and makes my eyes wonky. I know I'd never use a laptop that didn't have a fabulous display (thus the reason I don't use either of the two we have). If it weren't for that, I'd go with the better graphics card/processor/etc. any day.

 

[rach3975]

Thanks, everyone. I went ahead and ordered the first one while it was still on sale. Now I will wait impatiently for the next few weeks until I get a shipping notice.

Can you upgrade the graphics card later on the one with a better monitor? If you could, that would be my choice. I have a hard time with poor screen resolution though. It gives me headaches and makes my eyes wonky. I know I'd never use a laptop that didn't have a fabulous display (thus the reason I don't use either of the two we have). If it weren't for that, I'd go with the better graphics card/processor/etc. any day.

I love laptops for their portability and get a lot more scrapping time since I can take it with me around the house or when we travel, but the lack of upgradeability is the one drawback. Generally you can upgrade the RAM and HD after purchase, but that's it. Luckily I haven't had eye strain problems like the ones you mentioned.

 

[fruitysuet]

Mine would be resolution too, but again I would have problems with eye strain in poor quality screen.