I need a replacement laptop. I was hoping to wait to purchase with Windows 8, but my current laptop has died. So I plan to buy a Win 7 machine and then maybe update to Win 8 when it is released. I would characterize myself as a standard small-business user - microsoft office (lots of excel), email, internet and professional grade tax prep software. Would I benefit from a separate graphics card, or is that unnecessary? I might watch an occasional youtube video, but am not interested in downloading movies or anything like that. Cost is not a primary factor, but I don't want to waste money on features or capabilities I don't need. Also, I tend to run on battery about 25% of the time, so if a separate graphics card would shorten battery life, that would be a consideration. Does it shorten battery life? Size is also not an issue. I travel only locally, so I'm not necessarily interested in an ultrabook where I am paying for compactness or lighter weight. Thanks for your help. P.S. I will be reviewing other posts on general recommendations for a laptop, but any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
For your use,you don't need a seperate videocard......excel and tax prep software have more benefit from a decent cpu and RAM than from a graphics card. You can go different ways,but for myself speaking,I would try to choose between a Llano based AMD processor:usually less cpu power than an Intel,but a better integrated graphics chip,or a more powerful Intel cpu,with a less powerful integrated HD2000 or HD3000 graphics chip.
Get the Lenovo U Series, stylish, cheap and very good specs for it's price range target. Best bang for the buck spec wise could be Asus or Sager IMO. Or if you want a bullet proof notebook/laptop then you can get a business laptop such as HP Elitebook or Lenovo Thinkpads. Personally i would go either Lenovo U series or an Asus. I fell in love with the Lenovo Ideapad U Series, ill get one after i get rid of my current laptop. Lenovo Ideapad U Series Website
