TM8104 or TM4402: Which would you recommend and why?

I'll give ya a quick answer [its stupidly late here and I'm working late morning - 6 hours time lol]....

Just quickly jotting the specs from the UK site:

TM8014[WLMi]: [there are a few new versions that are better and higher spec that when I got this one]:
Mobile Intel® Centrino™ technology with Intel® Pentium® M 760 [2.0GHz, 533Mhz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache] - Intel® 915PM Express chipset - Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200ABG, Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition, 15.4" WSXGA+ TFT display, 128MB ATI Radeon X700, 100GB HDD, 1024MB (2*512MB) DDRII, 56Kbps modem, wired LAN and integrated wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g), DVD-Super Multi, Li-Ion battery


TM4402:
AMD Turion ML30 (1.6GHz, 1Mb L2 Cache), Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition, 15.0"XGA TFT Display, ATI Mobility Radeon X700 with 64MB, DVD-SuperMulti double layer, 60GB, 512 (2*256)MB, 8-Cell Li-Ion Battery, Gigabit Ethernet & 802.11b/g Wireless LAN, IEEE 1394, S-video, docking option, 6 in 1 card reader

First off, I have no idea how the 4402 performs as I've only seen my TM8104 in action lol

With the RAM of the 4402, bear in mind that they are 2 x 256MB sticks, so in order to get 2GB of RAM [if thats what you want], you'll need to buy 2 x 1GB RAM modules lol [and dont get the unbranded crap or you will have problems I can assure you lol].

I'm happy with the 1GB RAM [anymore isnt really needed in most things I'd say, but I know, the more the merrier lol]

Also, from what I have read of the specs of the 4402, it just says DDR - doesnt actually mention if its DDR II or not. Whether thats a major factor or not speed-wise I dunno, but its all part of a good system i'd guess [having faster ram].

You mention the occasional game, and although both systems have the X700 and dedicated RAM [seperate to the system ram], the 128 of the 8104 over the 64 of the 4402 is going to be a big help - especially these days when games require 64 at the very minimum - and in alot of cases, 128 is required now.

Remember you wont be able to upgrade that [AFAIK].

8104 wins (as its built in and works a treat for me ) - the 4402 you'd have to use up your PCMCIA card slot lol

Dead heat here hehe

Well initially it would seem obvious that the 4402 wins on this one, but I dont know really - theres the possibility of getting a Intel Mobile 64bit processor for it maybe... [anyone wanna confirm this? does Intel Mobile 64bit processors that are coming out - i forget the name - have the same pin configuration, etc.?]

So its currently the only downfall of the system I've found so far [unless a new chip does come out ]

Then the 100GB of the 8104 as opposed to the 60GB will be important to ya there.

I'm well happy with the 8104's widescreen 15.4" display - the 4402 is only slightly smaller in the 15" way - so it aint too bad - but it is nice to have a w/s display IMO.

In closing, you'll spend possibly alot of money on upgrading the 4402 to match the 8104 and alot of aspects of the 8104 cant be matched - simply because of the system itself - DDRII over DDR I, 128MB x700 over 64MB, etc.

A 64bit OS is hard for me to comment on as I havent used one yet - and probably wont for a good while yet. Remember programs have to be written/supported specifically for a 64bit OS I believe.

I did weigh up getting a AMD 64bit Acer notebook myself but choose this based on alot of the above.

Bear in mind that with either system, you might want to consider getting the 3yr warranty with accidental damage - its not much compared to how much you will spend on buying your laptop lol

Hope this helps

if you want to compare the TM4402, then what tarquel wrote above about it is propably true but not with the TM4402WLMi. Mine came with a 100GB drive and even though many online sellers listed it come with a 2*256MB Ram, mine came with a single stick. and not to forget hat TM4402WLMi also came with a 15.4" screen, but with the resolution of 1280X800 WXGA compared with TM8104 WSXGA+. some people love the WXGA and some prefer the WSXGA+, I personally love my screen. about the 64bit OS, you will find it helpfull if you can get your hand on any 64bit software. if not, the 32bit softwares still going to install on it and act just it was installed on the 32bit XP.

If you really want 64-bit compatibility, you're pretty much stuck with the Turion for at least the next 6 months (if you want to be on the safe side). Intel's upcoming Yonah dual core releases won't be compatible with current P-M sockets, and Yonah won't be 64-bit. Merom should arrive in the second half of 2006, and it will be a 64-bit processor, supposedly pin-compatible with sockets supporting Yonah, but plans can change.

IMO, Intel's current 64-bit offerings are not laptop friendly, however, aside from 64-bit capability, the Turion and P-M are very comparable performance-wise, while the Turion is the current "Best bang for the buck" option.

That said, I think that you'd get the most out of the 8104. After using a WSXGA+ monitor, anything smaller looks painfully cramped. You'll also enjoy the extra RAM, the internal bluetooth, and that 100GB hard drive, especially if you'll be dual-booting. I personally don't expect 32-bit to be outdated in two years. It won't really take off at least until Vista has been around for a while.

hey, id say go with the ferrari if you were willing to shell out the extra bucks. its same specs as the 8104 xcept with a higher clocked x700 and the turion 64 bit. but at 2100 (newegg) shes real pricey, and alot of people claim that cash goes to ferrari...

id check out sager, they have nice offerings too...

I believe the 8104 uses PATA.

That said, laptops these days don't really gain much from having a SATA interface. I believe SATA I had lower power requirements, and a slightly higher bandwidth, but I recall the harddrive transfer speeds are limited more by the rotational speed of the hard drive rather than the bandwidth of PATA.