Re: Choosing a new laptop

Simon

I think you could be right about Dell and only offering Centrino laptops. I
don't think they sell the 9100 anymore, and the 9200 is based on a mobile
processor. This is unfortunate as I don't imagine we are alone in wanting a
portable desktop replacement. You are also right about the Centrino and
wireless thing.

Charles


"Simon Verona" <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eKdIx1xeFHA.2244@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Charles,
>
> Thanks for your input...
>
> I think that your comments of P4 v Pentium-M processor backup my
> suspicions.. My laptop *never* runs on batteries, so a low-power usage
> processor is no benefit to me whatsoever...
>
> Out of interest, unless I'm missing something - all of the laptops Dell
> make today use a Centrino/Pentium-M processor (I think "Centrino" is a
> confusing marketing term used by Intel to refer to a motherboard that has
> on-board wireless though I could be wrong!!).
>
> I will be interested then if anybody has some real world comparisons
> between AMD and Intel ...
>
> Regards
> Simon
>
> "Charles Law" <blank@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:ew9V4pxeFHA.3880@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Hi Simon
>>
>> About nine months ago a bought a Dell Inspiron 9100, 3.0GHz Intel P4 with
>> HT, 512Mb RAM, 60Gb hard disk. I paid an extra £10 to get 11a wireless,
>> so that it did not suffer from interference from my DECT phone.
>>
>> If you are normally near a mains point, then you probably don't care too
>> much about battery life, and the desktop P4 is quite thirsty. The M
>> (Centrino) processor is designed to improve battery life.
>>
>> I am very happy with my purchase. It is a little on the heavy side, and
>> the psu is like a house brick, but I have a nice leather case for £40 and
>> it is rarely a trial to carry it places.
>>
>> The screen is a 17" widescreen so I can get lots on it, which is great
>> for the VS IDE. I even prefer it to my 21" Sony desktop for some things.
>>
>> The processor and memory help it to fly along. I use similar things to
>> you and it runs faster than my desktop with the same spec.
>>
>> Because you say you want to use it for development I would suggest going
>> for the full-blown processor and not a mobile version. I've bought Dells
>> for several years now and always been happy. I recommend them to family
>> and friends and they have had similarly good experiences of service and
>> reliability.
>>
>> HTH
>>
>> Charles
>>
>>
>> "Simon Verona" <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:%23affESxeFHA.688@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>I know I'm very off topic, but I thought I would ask the question here as
>>>I'm sure that there is plenty of relevant advice..
>>>
>>> I'm about to purchase a new laptop, and am very unsure of the
>>> specification to buy.
>>>
>>> I'm a vb.net developer, writing applications using a non-sql database
>>> (called jbase -www.jbase.com). I also use email (outlook) and office
>>> applications - often with many different apps open at the same time.
>>>
>>> Currently I use an HP laptop with an Intel P4 3.06ghz processor, 1gb
>>> ram, 40gb disk etc...
>>>
>>> It is probably time to upgrade this, as it's starting to fall apart (I
>>> mean literally, I tend to have a habit if dropping my laptop!!)...
>>>
>>> I'm confused as to what processor/memory/motherboard combination to
>>> replace my current machine with... Intel seem to confuse me nowadays by
>>> having several different ranges of processors which don't seem easy to
>>> compare - though they seem to be pushing the Pentium-M processors which
>>> I seem to find it difficult to compare with my current processor for
>>> comparison. Also AMD processors seem very strong, seem to have a faster
>>> bus speed etc...
>>>
>>> So.,..the question is, what combination would be best for me? Go for a
>>> P4, one of the Pentium-M chips, or an AMD processor (in which case which
>>> one?)... What about memory??? Does the actual motherboard matter???
>>> Perhaps there are changes on the horizon at Intel/AMD which may mean I
>>> could be better off waiting a few months??? Any suggestions as to
>>> which PC manufacturer I should use (I'm based in the UK)
>>>
>>> Anybody got any suggestions/advice.??
>>>
>>> Many thanks in advance to anybody who can help.
>>>
>>> regards
>>> Simon
>>>
>>
>>
>
>


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