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Intel Processor Confusion!

post #1 of 10
11/30/08 at 2:34am
Thread Starter 
I'm buying a new laptop and I'm very confused about the Intel based laptop technologies. I've been using an Acer Aspire 6930-6455 for a few days now that is a Centrino 2 Core 2 Duo T5800 processor with 4GB of ram and 2GB of L2 cache. What I don't like is the glossy reflective screen and the glossy cover which fingerprints big time. Today I bought a Fujitsu Lifebook A1110 that has the same Core 2 Duo T5800 with 2 GB of L2 cache but 3GB of ram. What it doesn't say is that it's a Centrino 2 or a Centrino for that matter. It has a non-reflective screen and a non-glossy cover.

I've tried to sort through the Intel processor maze and cannot figure out whether these two laptops are the same inside or not. Is the Centrino 2 that big of an advantage over a non-Centrino, which the Fujistu may be as it doesn't say Centrino anywhere. Intel says Centrino 2 is good at wireless and battery management but doesn't say how much better, if much at all.

Also, with Vista Home Premium used with maximum two simultaneous programs, Foxfire and Quicken, does the extra 1MB of ram make much difference?

Hopefully this post is not too conveluted to generate a response. I could sure use some help/advice on this.

Jack
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post #2 of 10
11/30/08 at 5:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jborchel View Post
I'm buying a new laptop and I'm very confused about the Intel based laptop technologies. I've been using an Acer Aspire 6930-6455 for a few days now that is a Centrino 2 Core 2 Duo T5800 processor with 4GB of ram and 2GB of L2 cache. What I don't like is the glossy reflective screen and the glossy cover which fingerprints big time. Today I bought a Fujitsu Lifebook A1110 that has the same Core 2 Duo T5800 with 2 GB of L2 cache but 3GB of ram. What it doesn't say is that it's a Centrino 2 or a Centrino for that matter. It has a non-reflective screen and a non-glossy cover.

I've tried to sort through the Intel processor maze and cannot figure out whether these two laptops are the same inside or not. Is the Centrino 2 that big of an advantage over a non-Centrino, which the Fujistu may be as it doesn't say Centrino anywhere. Intel says Centrino 2 is good at wireless and battery management but doesn't say how much better, if much at all.

Also, with Vista Home Premium used with maximum two simultaneous programs, Foxfire and Quicken, does the extra 1MB of ram make much difference?

Hopefully this post is not too conveluted to generate a response. I could sure use some help/advice on this.

Jack
Congratulations for not buying the hype.

Centrino is Intel's brand name for systems that contain a processor, chipset, and wireless card all made by Intel. The system you bought most likely has a different wireless card (one not made by Intel), so it can't be labeled a "Centrino" system. However, since the chipset and processor are the same, the battery management will be the same.

Also, since you have 64-bit hardware, the amount of RAM that can be used by your system is dependent on your operating system. If you are running 32-bit Vista, then adding the extra GB of RAM won't do anything for your system, but if you've got 64-bit Vista then the extra GB will work and be helpful.
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post #3 of 10
11/30/08 at 6:21am
Just to state that the "2 GB of L2 cache" is false. The largest L2 cache these days on newest server CPU is only 16MB. So i guess you're saying 2MB L2 cache. (Which is common)

L2 = Level 2 Cache is CPU build-in memory for processing use only and not related to RAM.
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post #4 of 10
11/30/08 at 8:59pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I opened the Fujitsu and went through the install process. Unfortunately, it had a glossy screen and also fingerprinted the cover even though the cover was not glossy. Just like advised, the wireless is non-Intel so it cannot be a Centrino.

I've decided to keep the Acer as it has a little better kb feel than the Fuj. and has some entertainment extras. However, I do have an issue I would like to fix before returning the Fuj. Vista forced me to sign on with an ID and password before I could finish the install. I would like to reverse that back to beginning state of no user before I pack it up. How do I do that?

Jack
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post #5 of 10
11/30/08 at 9:10pm
Wow! Intel really hit the jackpot with that whole "Centrino" brand marketing campaign. Obviously it's very effective because people want it and they don't know why.

Quote:
I would like to reverse that back to beginning state of no user before I pack it up. How do I do that?
If you have important personal information you don't want to fall into anyone else's hands you should do at least one, preferably two or three low level reformats (not quick reformats) of the hard drive using the install disk that came with the computer. Alternately you could download and burn a startup CD of a disk utilities package provided free by the company that manufactured your hard drive (Western Digital, Fujitsu, Samsung, Seagate, Hitachi, etc.) that can be obtained free on the respective company's website and use that to reformat the drive a couple times.

Then simply run the restore DVD that came with the computer to restore it to it's factory installed state.
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post #6 of 10
11/30/08 at 9:21pm
Thread Starter 
I'm hesitant to do any reformatting of the disk. Is there no way to go into the security system and just remove ID and password?

Jack
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post #7 of 10
11/30/08 at 9:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jborchel View Post
Just like advised, the wireless is non-Intel so it cannot be a Centrino.
Normally when a laptop is geniune Centrino platform there will be always a Centrino sticker sticked to the laptop on keyboard botton right. If its not there then its not Centrino.

If you want to keep your info safe, buy a USB stick comes with encryter program. Or get a external USB HDD and have it locked up with password. Btw if you're talking about fingerprint scanner, it can be faked and still get access into your laptop, that's only pro hacker can do it.
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post #8 of 10
11/30/08 at 9:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jborchel View Post
I'm hesitant to do any reformatting of the disk. Is there no way to go into the security system and just remove ID and password?

Jack
There's no reason you should be hesitant. You won't damage anything. The other option is to just send it back with all your personal information still on the hard drive. Deleting files and removing passwords won't remove the data from your hard drive.
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post #9 of 10
11/30/08 at 10:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jborchel View Post
Vista forced me to sign on with an ID and password before I could finish the install.
You know you can always leave the Password box blank just to input an Username that's all. So you won't need to sign in with password all the times which can be annoying from time to time.
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post #10 of 10
1/10/09 at 4:34am
just an additional info..never use a 4gb ram whether ddr2 or ddr3 on a windows vista-32. If I were you, I go for the Vista-64 or windows xp pro-64(extreme performance achieved for GAMES!!!really it is since only a few services are being run by windows xp compared to vista).But, you have a choice..

vista-32 can only recognize 3gb of ram.The extra 1 gb goes nowhere or what we call EXcess.
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