[geeks] Integrated video and large displays

[Lionel Peterson]

>From: John Lee <j.benlin.lee at gmail.com>
>Date: 2008/02/04 Mon AM 11:54:40 CST
>To: The Geeks List <geeks at sunhelp.org>
>Subject: [geeks] Integrated video and large displays

>It's about time for me to replace my Powerbook G4. I was initially
>thinking of getting a Macbook Pro, but to be honest, I never really
>felt the Powerbook was too lacking in any single department. So, I
>began thinking about getting a Macbook and a large display (23-24",
>1920x1200). Can anyone comment on the performance of the Macbook's
>integrated video when driving a big display? Most of the time I spend
>my day in emacs and Eclipse writing code, so I don't need ginormous
>framerates, but I do want screen updates to happen smoothly.

Current model MacBooks have Intel GMA 3100 video, and while integrated, is probably the best integrated video chipset around these days. Also, the Current MacBook is designed to support up to 4 Gigs of RAM, so they aren't nearly the compromise laptops they once were...

I was looking at them for my wife, as her G4/800 MHz iBook is getting a bit long in the tooth, and I'd like to upgrade her to something that can support Time Machine for backup, which means 10.5 which isn't supported on her iBook...

I love my MacBook Pro, but the current MacBook is very nice, esp. if you consider the Apple Refurbs and save about 15% off list...

Lionel