My girlfriend's compaq finally kicked the bucket, so she will need a new computer. She will most likely be getting an IBM, but I'm not sure if she should get a t42 (dothan), t43 (sonoma), z60t (widescreen sonoma), or wait for the new t60 (dual core, available sometime in feb). The actual models aren't important here, but the processor they each use is.
She doesn't really need the cutting edge technology, as she mainly uses her computer to check email, surf the internet, and use word/ppt. So, how low is it safe to go, without having big negative consequences in the next few years?
My main concern is the new windows, etc, and if she will be negatively affected if gets a new computer before the whole dual-core thing.
Between the t42 (dothan) and t43/z60t (sonoma), is the sonoma any more future-proof than the dothan processor? Will there be some things in the future that won't be able to run on the dothan, but will on the sonoma, or is the difference between the two merely speed (which isn't that big of a deal for her)?
Then, between sonoma and the dual core, is buying a sonoma right now shooting yourself in the foot? Buying the dual core means waiting and spending a couple hundred dollars more, at least. So, if having a dual core processor isn't going to be a huge deal in the next ~4 years, I'd like to avoid it.
So, to sum up (for a non-power user):
sonoma that much better than dothan, in the future?
core duo mandatory in the next few years?
She doesn't really need the cutting edge technology, as she mainly uses her computer to check email, surf the internet, and use word/ppt. So, how low is it safe to go, without having big negative consequences in the next few years?
My main concern is the new windows, etc, and if she will be negatively affected if gets a new computer before the whole dual-core thing.
Between the t42 (dothan) and t43/z60t (sonoma), is the sonoma any more future-proof than the dothan processor? Will there be some things in the future that won't be able to run on the dothan, but will on the sonoma, or is the difference between the two merely speed (which isn't that big of a deal for her)?
Then, between sonoma and the dual core, is buying a sonoma right now shooting yourself in the foot? Buying the dual core means waiting and spending a couple hundred dollars more, at least. So, if having a dual core processor isn't going to be a huge deal in the next ~4 years, I'd like to avoid it.
So, to sum up (for a non-power user):
sonoma that much better than dothan, in the future?
core duo mandatory in the next few years?
Word already spawns multiple threads. Way to drop-in and throw a pointless anti-MS post into the thread, though 
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