Do i need a 256mb Graphics Card? ie High End MBP?

[a1dipship]

ive given back three mbps over the last 14 days (2xkernel panics & 1 screen flickering) and today i got a refund for the last one as the store was out of stock. i have my macbook but ill miss backlit keyboard again ....

this has given me a chance to reassess what exactly i need - 128 or 256 graphics. i brought the high end mac thinking at this moment in time it is as future proof as can be.... as i dont anticipate buying another mac for a good 3 years - but with technology and needs changing you never know....

so, what i need to know is whether the graphics card plays any role in day to day usage ie. internet, having apps open, eyeTV, iphoto, the new leopard os, playing music, watching vids etc, but no games ... all non specialist usage. im just an average home user at this point.

my feeling is to buy the high model again when its in stock, and i probably will. but im curious to know whether it offers me anything at all 'in the meantime' ie. before i might actually need it because tech moving on and/or my usage needs changing.... could the 256 come into play?

ultimately this q isnt all that big a deal but i am curious.

thanks.

 

[-Nick]

If you don't plan on playing games at all, and for just general usage, then the 128mb version should serve you just fine.

 

[mag2001]

i am a newbie so what is a kernal panic?

 

[scaredpoet]

i am a newbie so what is a kernal panic?

It's when your Mac displays this:

This article has more info.

 

[SuperCompu2]

definitely go with the 128MB VRAM version. It'll still make all your applications fly as well as give Leopard's new visual effects plenty of elbow room to use. I use a 64MB Radeon 9000 in my G4 tower, and I havent had a moment of laggy graphics yet (Running 10.4.10 too)