Choosing between a laptop with a dedicated graphics card like the MX350 and one with more RAM depends on your primary use case. Here are some considerations to help you make the best decision.

Choosing a Dedicated Graphics Card MX350

For many users, the choice between a dedicated graphics card and more RAM can be quite complex. However, if your primary tasks involve gaming or graphic design, a dedicated graphics card like the MX350 is your best bet. Here are a few reasons to consider:

Gaming: If you plan to play games that require better graphics performance, a dedicated GPU can significantly enhance your gaming experience. Graphics-Intensive Applications: Software for video editing, 3D rendering, or graphic design can benefit greatly from the processing power of a dedicated GPU. Improved Performance: For tasks that utilize GPU acceleration, such as streaming or background rendering, a dedicated graphics card can improve overall performance.

Choosing More RAM

On the other hand, if you need to handle multiple applications simultaneously, or use memory-intensive programs, more RAM might be the way to go:

Multitasking: If you frequently run multiple applications at once, having more RAM can ensure smoother performance and better responsiveness. Heavy Applications: Programs that require a lot of memory, such as virtual machines, large datasets in Excel, or complex simulations, can benefit from additional RAM. Future-Proofing: To ensure your laptop can handle future software demands, especially if many applications are memory-intensive, more RAM is a good choice.

Conclusion

Ultimately, if your primary tasks involve gaming or graphic design, opt for a dedicated graphics card. If you often multitask or use memory-intensive applications, go for a laptop with more RAM. Consider your specific needs and how you plan to use the laptop to make the best choice.

The Minimum RAM Requirement for MX350

For a laptop with an MX350 graphics card, the minimum RAM in 2020 was likely to be 8GB. This amount is sufficient for the majority of tasks you would run, even with a 2GB graphics card. However, if your daily workload exceeds this, you might need to reassess:

Gaming and Basic Applications

For any laptop with a graphics card less powerful than a GTX 1660 Ti, 16GB of RAM is often seen as a waste of money. This is because modern laptops are equipped with fast NVMe drives, which can cache overages in memory usage, even when you have multiple browser tabs open.

Special Cases

If you are indeed a heavy Chrome tab user, skipping the MX350 and opting for 16GB of RAM is a better choice. Modern GPUs are capable of handling daily tasks efficiently, and more RAM can be much easier on the battery, especially when you are on the go.

Personal Recommendation

Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific needs. If you want to play games occasionally, a dedicated graphics card is a good option. However, if you prioritize multitasking and need to handle heavy applications, more RAM is likely to serve you better. Personally, I would recommend going for a dedicated graphics card, as most laptops allow for easy upgrades to additional RAM if needed.