How hard to upgrade video card?

[jdmhotness]

Just ordered a toshiba laptop, comes with the ATI Radeon X1200 card. I have read reviews that this card sucks, I want something fairly decent.

First off, I know nothing about video cards, just like to play some online games(world of warcraft is prolly the biggest i would play).

How hard to upgrade, cost of a new card, card recommendations?
thanks guys
-nick

 

[turtile]

It depends on if it is integrated or not. (MXM) You must also find out if the laptop can handle the extra power and heat from a more powerful card (which is usually hard to find out)

 

[peterhuang913]

Since it's a laptop, you might now have the option to upgrade the gfx card.

 

[jdmhotness]

Its a toshiba a215-s4817, 1.8 dual core, 2g ram.

How do I find out all of this? And if it is upgradable, how much for someone to upgrade it? Or could I do this myself?
thanks
-nick

 

[SapperX]

It might be upgradeable. Of course, if it is... it will be incredibly expensive for a new one. Then, it will be incredibly expensive to get it installed (unless you do it yourself, which from experience I can tell you, is not fun). And finally, when it's all done, you wont notice much of a difference.

I went through all of the above with my inspiron 8600. Do yourself a favor and don't do it!!

 

[jdmhotness]

Thanks for you honest opinion, i'm sure I will leave it if it is a lot of trouble!

 

[Jorsoft]

I'm pretty sure this card is fully integrated and if that's the case then there's no dice. You're stuck. Laptops with upgradeable graphics are few and far between, although they're becoming a bit more prevalent finally.

Anyways, I certainly couldn't find anything and I doubt there is. Toshiba is a bear about letting you crack open your lappy and fix/replace stuff, too. The only option I could think of is calling them directly and seeing if they offer any upgrade.