The things that create laptops so suitable lightness and portability also concern their performance. Video processing is resource-intensive, needing a fast processor and high power use. Many laptops will be intended only for video tasks like playing web videos and DVDs, and not playing graphics-based 3D games.

Laptop video problems can come out unexpectedly or slowly, and after they take hold they can render PC unfeasible, so it is recommended that if you see a problem, you must get it fixed sooner rather than later.

Diagnosing Video Problems

1. The source of video problem may be in one of two places the screen, or video chip on motherboard. You can check whether a problem is with screen or video chip by connecting an external monitor to laptop, and seeing if problem duplicates itself on external monitor.

LCD screens are delicate, and can be injured by pressure, sharp blows or liquids. An injured LCD screen display lost pixels or lines on screen, or odd warped colors. Screen may flicker or not turn on, which shows there is a problem with connection between screen and video chip. Injured laptop screens can be fixed by a technician.

Video chip on motherboard is a particular processor which handles all video display tasks for laptop. If laptop works usually for documents and internet browsing, but has problems when executing complex tasks like playing games or watching DVDs, then it is probable that video chip is not strong enough, or needs a driver update.

Updating Video Drivers

2. If video is hesitating, or unable to maintain a smooth frame rate as playing a video, you can try updating the video drivers for laptop.

Drivers are parts of software written by PC makers to tell your PC how to utilize installed hardware. PC manufacturers frequently update this software several times over lifetime of PC, so updating drivers will frequently develop performance of entire PC.

You can update video drivers by looking website of PC maker, and look for drivers that match the model and operating system of PC.


Only download drivers from official company's website, or from companies like Microsoft or Apple. Malicious program writers put fake video drivers on internet and try to attract people into downloading them, assuring extra video performance. These fake programs can be poorly written or have viruses which will harm PC.

Improving Gaming Performance

3. If video is fine for normal computing tasks, but has problems when playing PC games, laptop is possibly restricted by amount of video memory and speed of onboard video chip. Laptops are not usually intended to be able to play new graphics-intensive games.

Many games have settings for video, where you can lower video quality in reply for smoother video. Smaller screen resolutions are simple for video chip to process and display onscreen.

Latest games also use special effects like anti-aliasing and complex shadows for realism. You can turn these effects off in game, which will develop the performance.

Warning

4. Unlike desktop PCs, laptops are assembled in such a way that many parts are remote or hard to change or repair for average person. If there is a hardware problem with laptop, do not try to repair it yourself. It's send it back to maker or vendor where you purchased it for repair to be performed by a technician, rather than risking further harm to PC.

Avoiding Video Problems

5. Laptops are created to make them small and portable and video chip is frequently integrated on motherboard, rather than as an individual unit, which increases internal temperature of PC.

You must make additional attempts to keep laptop cool, and make sure that it has proper airflow around all vents, particularly when performing video intensive tasks like gaming or watching DVDs. Protect screen by keeping liquids away from PC and close cover of laptop when it is not in use.