Can laptop graphics ever compare to desktop

No, this is because of heating and space issues. But you can expect notebook graphics to power the latest games these days for mid-range notebooks unlike in the past.

yes, but it will be expensive, and really fat to keep cool

Desktop graphis cards have more room available for bigger and faster GPUs. Also, you don't have to worry about them overheating as much. So if you are looking to be a computer gamer, I suggest that you use a desktop computer. If you are still looking to get a laptop, there are still some pretty good GPUs in some laptops, but they can never be as great as desktop graphics cards.

You could, but plan on spending $$ on your purchase. Future technology will make the costs less and well worth it in the future.

Nope, never.

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I would not spend $2000.00 on a laptop. I have more important things (like a wedding) to put that much on.

YES! The Graphics Card specs are the Graphic Card specs. It doesn't matter if it's in a portable desktop replacement or actual full blown tower/server case. (See below)

Xplorer X6-8500

• 15.6" 1920x1080 WXGA
• Intel Core i5-520M CPU
• 4GB DDR3-1333 RAM
• ATI HD5650 1GB Video
• Intel PM55 Mainboard
• 500GB 5400RPM SATA300 HDD
• 8X DVD Rewritable Drive

$999

... The ATI Mobility Radeon HD5650 achieved 7872 points in 3DMark06 good. 800 points more than its predecessor HD4650. This would correspond to a performance increase of 12%. Greater the difference in 3DMark Vantage is canceled when the HD5650 achieved very good 3442 points. Nearly 1,000 points more than a HD4650. That would be a performance gain of over 30%. ...

It all boils down to what your graphics demands are, how much you want to spend, and if portability is needed.

no because with laptops you need to worry about space and with a desktop you don't need to worry about it as much