   Choosing a mobile graphics chipset for OpenGL development
  Hi,I''m going to be picking up a new laptop soon and I''ve been tinkering quite a bit in OpenGL lately.Basically my choice right now is between a Radeon 9600 and a Radeon 9000.  They both seem to support the fragment and vertex program extensions and seem to have the same support for any extensions in fact... So I''m guessing the main difference between the cards will be performance.  For the money I''d be perfectly happy with the 9000. I don''t game a whole lot and I don''t plan on writing anything that should require a card like the 9600.  Is there anything I should know before taking the dive that may make me think twice about not upping to the 9600?jbm 
  Ack. Actually the 9000 does NOT support the arb_fragment_program extension. I think that answers my question ;  I''ve just purchased a new laptop so I can give you advice. If you have the money, purchase an Alienware Area51. They are pricey (mine 2100) but the option of graphics doesn''t become a question anymore because its graphics are upgradable. Anyway, you want the 9600, not the 9000 if you plan on doing and gaming in the future. The 9000 lacks in pixel shaders and doesn''t quite reach the performance of the 9600. Oh, and based on other reviews on the net + magazines, do not get an nVidia card for laptops because they just didn''t play well at all.   ---Brent Gunning | My Site