Re: Choosing a new laptop

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So, am I hearing that I shouldn't be concerned about the Pentium-M (I
believe that the word "Centrino" refers to an intel processor mounted on a
motherboard containing a wireless nic so I'll avoid the word when talking
about the processor)?

So, I understand that the Pentium-M processor cannot be compared clock speed
for clock speed with a normal P4. Also, looking at Intels web site, you
can't compare the model numbers either across the arrange.

Is is fair to say that the high end Pentium-M (2.16ghz?) is comparable or
better than the 3.4ghz P4? I know that in real world terms bus speed and
cache are also important - anybody care to add some comment.

Nobody has mentioned AMD in this discussion. Is the Athlon XP a runner in
comparison to the high end Intels?

Once I get to the bottom of understanding the processor/motherboard
combination then I think I'm almost there!!

Many thanks for comment so far, and thanks in advance for anybody else who
cares to comment.

Regards
Simon
"mikeh" <mikeh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23FxXgtzeFHA.416@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> I'll agree with Charles that the Dell 9100 is a very good laptop for
> developing. I'm developing in with VS.NET 2003 and have a SQL Server
> running. Everything runs nice and smooth.
>
> I have noticed that the battery becomes dislodged easily. I used to carry
> the laptop in the trunk of my car (since then I keep it on the passenger
> seat) and when I would get to where I was going I would boot up and notice
> that the battery would not be charging (ran it off of AC...but always keep
> an eye on the battery). I'd have to flip it over and re-set the battery.
>
> The newer laptops from Dell have gone the way of the Centrino, but you can
> always try to get a refurbished 9100 through Dell if you don't want to
> switch to the Centrino. Although I do hear the Centrino processor runs
> very
> nice.
>
>
> "Charles Law" <blank@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:uXCpmVyeFHA.2736@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> 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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