Nvidia Optimus question

[Carter]

Hi. Not sure whether this should be in graphics cards, but it relates to laptops so I've put it here.

My question is about nvidia Optimus technology and its behaviour with external monitors. I have read a few articles about people having problems with the graphics switching technology, but I don't really understand... My question is, will I be able to use the nvidia dedicated gpu with an external monitor, or is the integrated gpu somehow connected directly to the VGA/hdmi output. This is just something I have read on a forum (can't remember which one) - perhaps I am reading too deeply into it, but I just want to make sure as I will use the laptop for light gaming and 3d design on an external monitor. I do not have the laptop yet, the answer to this question will decide. The laptop in question is the asus u32vj with gt635m graphics.