Major help needed for novice please somebody!!!

corleydad said:

I think the AVERAGE computer user just selects a computer based on their needs and price point sensitivity.

I understand what you mean, but your comments also mesh with what I'm saying. The video card is part of your "needs to be considered".

DeaconFrost said:

corleydad said:

I think the AVERAGE computer user just selects a computer based on their needs and price point sensitivity.

I understand what you mean, but your comments also mesh with what I'm saying. The video card is part of your "needs to be considered".

Also not trying to bash anyone but it's kinda like buying a car. I know I have an automatic transmission but darned if I know what specific make or model.

I also read in one of the earlier posts that GPU-Z wouldn't work. What about SPECCY from Piriform?

Speccy - System Information - Free Download

That's getting incredibly detailed, like knowing the brand, model, timings, etc of the actual memory chips...not the sticks. You don't need to know the brand transmission in order to use the car. A better analogy would be the engine itself. If you needed to haul something, you'd need a specific engine type (dedicated graphics card). If you just needed something good on gas for highway driving, you'd be getting a much different engine type (onboard graphics). That defines the planned use of the car. Heavy lifting, aka graphics work, gaming, would need something different than a highway commute to work, which is light use, like e-mail, Office docs, Internet, etc.

Speccy wouldn't work either, because those apps tend to read in the driver file information. That's why I lways say you should know the hardware that's in your computer, or keep your spec sheet included with it. You paid for it...why not know what you have?

DeaconFrost said:

I just posted it in another thread, but it applies here too. Why aren't people running Windows Update to get drivers they can't find? I see so many threads like this, but never see anyone suggesting Windows Update. It is much improved for Windows 7, and includes most drivers anyone would ever need. I don't get the aversion to a built-in solution?

If you absolutely must get the drivers elsewhere, all you need to do is go to the Drivers and Support section of HP's website, and put in the model number of your laptop. It will bring you to all available drivers. As for knowing what graphics chip is in there...it is your laptop, so you should either know off the top of your head, or have your original purchase documentation that will give you the specs.

+1

Though it is much preferable to get drivers directly from the manufacturer, if you can't find them, and need them, Windows Update is a wonderful place to check!!!

DeaconFrost said:

This is something I think I need clarity on. I see it happen a lot on here, which leads to my own confusion. When a person is shopping for a laptop, one of the many considerations is the video. Why? Because if you don't need a dedicated graphics card (based on your intended use), you pick one with onboard video to save money and battery life. I'd easily put that decision in the top five questions a person answers when choosing a laptop. Given this, it confuses me why someone wouldn't know if they had the Nvidia (more expensive) or Intel (cheaper) video in the laptop.

I'm asking this honestly, and not to bash anyone, but are people just picking computers off the shelf based on price, and not looking into the specs?

Another good point.

The obvious point to this statement is that you need to know what you have should you require help or support. That's also why it's important to keep ALL paperwork (in a safe place).

My two cents

I think we are getting off topic here, but, the average PC/laptop buyer goes into PC World either sees the big glossy sign that says WOW this lap top has this and costs £xxx.xx, or they say to an assistant, I need a pc that can do, x/y/z and my budget is £xxx.xx, they really don't know or care whats inside.
I think the car analogy is spot on - You may go to a dealership and say, it needs to have elecy windows, air con and a multi CD player, but do you ask the make of the CD player??

Nigsy said:

but do you ask the make of the CD player??

You're going way past the level of detail when compared to knowing what type of video card is in a computer, but yes, any car I've ever bought, I knew the exact details of the stereo, and even tested that out as well during the test drives. Why wouldn't you? If you are going to plunk down that kind of cash, why wouldn't you know what you are getting? Why not know if you have the base or upgraded stereo?

DeaconFrost said:

Nigsy said:

but do you ask the make of the CD player??

You're going way past the level of detail when compared to knowing what type of video card is in a computer, but yes, any car I've ever bought, I knew the exact details of the stereo, and even tested that out as well during the test drives. Why wouldn't you? If you are going to plunk down that kind of cash, why wouldn't you know what you are getting? Why not know if you have the base or upgraded stereo?

You need to speak to my wife - "Look it's a convertable and it's silver, I'll take it":)

She sounds like my wife. She saw a Subaru Legacy and told me it was pretty. So, she's been driving a 2007 silver Subaru Legacy since Valentine's Day, 2007.

Yes, we are pretty will off-topic but hopefully the original poster now has their answer! I don't think we should be judging someone because they don't know what video card their computer has. I don't know any statistics on laptops but I would feel pretty comfortable in saying that less than 1 of 10 laptop buyers know what video their laptop has. They go into a big box store and say I want a laptop to get on the internet, check my emails, facebook, etc. and watch videos on youtube and the clerk says this one will do all that for only $xxx and the buyers go okay i'll take that. I think that those buyers are never going to come here unless they have a problem and then stumble across this forum trying to find out what is in their laptop.

But my point is, it behooves you (scrabble word) to know what is in your system before and after you make the purchase. Even if the OP was someone who decided to let the salespeople tell him what laptop he needed and should buy, they all come with documentation that details the specs. If you aren't someone who "just knows", then that's more of a reason to keep this paperwork, as someone above mentioned.