Can I put a graphics card in my laptop?

I have a dell Inspiron 9400 laptop and I was wondering if I could put a better graphics card in it? I want to play some games and my graphics card doesn't meet the requirements. Is this possible and around how much would it cost?

PLEASE NO "DELL SUCKS" OR ANY NEGATIVE COMMENTS


Edit Hmm after looking around for a bit it looks like it isn't possible. Anyone know for sure?

Generally, the answer is no.

[i1096e8f10a]Specifically[/i1096e8f10a], your laptop might be part of a series of which there is a better model with a better video chipset. In that case, chances are that the video component is some kind of changable daughterboard which [i1096e8f10a]might[/i1096e8f10a] be upgradable.

The upgrade would be a model specific part, and would probably cost a shitload to purchase, not to mention it would likely void your warranty to install it.

There used to be PCMCIA video cards, but that was practical when the chipsets didn't produce much heat. I doubt they still make those.

I thought Mini-PCI was going to open a whole new market for laptop video upgrades, but that didn't pan out either. (

Alienware was making laptops with upgradeable video cards -- you could even choose between ATI or NVidia -- and they hoped to patent it as a standard that other laptop vendors would use. However it never took off and I've not heard of anybody else adopting it. Generally you are stuck with whatever video card comes in the laptop, unless you can luck out like Tholek says and find an upgrade designed for the same laptop.

Ok thanks for the help.

[quotec402279816="dmorris68"]Alienware was making laptops with upgradeable video cards -- you could even choose between ATI or NVidia -- and they hoped to patent it as a standard that other laptop vendors would use. However it never took off and I've not heard of anybody else adopting it.[/quotec402279816]

Ah yes, "MXM", the PCI-E of laptops. I had forgotten about that. )

Sadly, that [ic402279816]was[/ic402279816] the Mini-PCI of video, but I guess ATI killed it with AXIOM, not to mention the manufacturers who smartly realized that people wouldn't buy new laptops if they could upgrade. (Funny how most of those companies also do desktops or upgrade components) roll

What a wasted opportunity...