Laptop Video Card history:
Replacing components of a laptop, such as a laptop video card, is not as easy a task as replacing components in a desktop computer. Most laptops are not designed in such a way that their components can be easily swapped out. A simple solution would be to add in a switch for selecting either internal graphics or an add-in card's LVDS output. For example, the MAX4889 is able to switch between two different LVDS sources, making it ideal for laptops.
A Laptop Video card hasn't been as easy upgradable as a card for desktop computers for a long time.
Even early IBM computers offered both MGA adapters and CGA adapters, meaning that the consumer could choose the same model with a choice of either graphics card dependent on which monitor they chose.
Early adapters evolved over time, following the VGA standard, which was able to drive both monochrome and color graphics.Laptop video cards have progressed significantly, and now GPU or graphics processing units are some of the most sophisticated processors available.
With time, laptop computers have come to surpass desktop computers in terms of units sold.Costs associated with laptops have dropped dramatically, and laptops are becoming desktop replacements in many homes. High end laptops are being used by gamers, telecommuting professionals and others. In the past, nearly all laptop computers had internal graphics but since 2007 this has been changing.
There are many different types of graphics card and video card products to buy depending on how you intend to use the laptop, such as integrated and dedicated laptop graphics cards from companies like NVidia and ATI. Integrated Intel Graphics Cards are more common, but are not ideal for 3D generation.
Here is a video about changing a Dell laptop video card:
For gaming ability, ATI and NVidia laptop video card
If you want to play games , use high intensive graphical programs like adobe Photoshop or want to use an external, second monitor the integrated laptop video card will be not sufficient enough. You will require to upgrade your internal laptop video card or purchase a USB Video Card.
While we are talking about running a second monitor, most laptops have an external VGA or DVI port to plug directly into an external screen, and you could set Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 to use both your laptop screen and the external monitor simultaneously. That is very useful, and it’s nice to back up your small LCD screen with a nice 24″ LCD.
A great course of action is to check out the video card list on Notebook Check, which ranks all of the currently available laptop video cards. This will prove to be a beneficial source when you have a PCI slot and are looking for an upgraded video card, or if you have a USB port and want to upgrade to a USB video card. The more that you pay for a laptop video card in most circumstances, the better the laptops graphics is going to be.
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