Can I skip the graphics card on the T430 or will my usage require it?

I currently have the Alienware M11x r2, the 11.6" gaming laptop. I don't game anymore. It currently shuts down randomly when not plugged in so I'm looking for a replacement. The T430 seems perfect because it is very reliable and rugged. I'm a business major college student so I primarily need Microsoft Office. I do a little bit of Adobe Lightroom for photography.

I want to be able to connect my laptop to my HDTV to use as a DVR with Windows Media Center as well as watch movies I've downloaded. Do I need the dedicated graphics card or will the integrated do me fine? Which processor option am I best off with? Any other advice appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Integrated graphics should be fine if you don't game. I would say if you're on a budget get the cheapest processor available, but otherwise bumping to an IB dual-core isn't a bad choice either, but you should really spend the money on an SSD first. For what you're doing the high-end i5 or i7 is definitely a bad value.

 

If you would rather have a portable machine along the lines of your M11x, you should also consider the X230 (which incidentally also comes with a nicer screen than the T430, an IPS 1366x768 panel). For either the T430 or the X230, I would suggest going with the base Ivy Bridge Core i3 (code starts with a 3, instead of a 2 for Sandy Bridge). You will not need dedicated graphics.