Resolution of HP2711X External Monitor/HD TV vs Laptop Graphics Card

[charles.dressel]

Buying new Windows 10 computer but don’t want to overspend on laptop graphics capability since will not use laptop screen alone very often. I should save money by getting 13.3” vs larger screen - correct. Also is GeForce MX150 spending more than I need to? Is 940MX or HD620 OK - won’t HP2711X external monitor boost graphics regardless. For reference I’m looking at Dell Inspiron Laptops like I7773-7701GRY-PUS for a new computer.

 

[GreyCatz]

Let's be clear about your devices (and I'm using Amazon US as reference only):

Is this the HP you're considering?
https://www.amazon.com/HP-2711x-27-Inch-LED-Monitor/dp/B004G8QO8O/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1516755014&sr=1-2&keywords=HP2711X

… and is this the Dell you're talking about?
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-17-7000-7773/dp/B077987VQS

The 27" HP is a nice 2K monitor but it will not "boost graphics regardless". Some monitors come with added features such as AMD FreeSync that will reduce screen stutter, but your HP doesn't have this feature. This HP does:
https://www.amazon.com/HP-27-inch-Freesync-Technology-27x/dp/B072JKKGD7/ref=pd_sbs_147_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B072JKKGD7&pd_rd_r=85CTJXTAJFTB62J247S5&pd_rd_w=TB4xu&pd_rd_wg=ReKtQ&psc=1&refRID=85CTJXTAJFTB62J247S5

The 17" Dell is quite expensive considering the modest specs. Of course you get the latest six-core 8th gen Intel CPU and a decent 2GB GPU, but $1,560 is still a hefty asking price.

From your details I assume the Dell computer will serve as a desktop replacement connected to the HP monitor, so my advice is to get as much 'bang for your buck' as possible. $1,560 will get you lots of powerful laptops with more powerful GPUs than the MX150. You'd have to settle for a "lesser" CPU, but take a look at this 17" Alienware priced at $1,519:
https://www.amazon.com/Alienware-AW17R4-7005SLV-PUS-Laptop-Generation-Silver/dp/B01N4BMMJK/ref=pd_sbs_147_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01N4BMMJK&pd_rd_r=N1HRGVB0ADP4DY3DG131&pd_rd_w=LUy11&pd_rd_wg=sUjUP&psc=1&refRID=N1HRGVB0ADP4DY3DG131

You get a 6GB 1060 graphics card that will have your gaming covered for the next 3 - 4 years. It's a quad-core 7th gen i7 and you'll have to save up for an SSD to install later on, but I'd still say it's a much better deal than the Dell above.