[Algorithms] Single mesh vs segments

[Leigh M. <lei...@ro...>]

 I have a engine that uses segmented models.  I am thinking of switching it
to a single skinned mesh but I am ignorant in this area.  If  the same human
character was modeled using segments and then modeled with a single skin
would one be faster then the other?  Do they take about the same memory
space?  Which looks better?

Leigh McRae