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Which Processor?

post #1 of 19
11/20/09 at 3:44am
Thread Starter 
I need a laptop for pretty simple casual everyday stuff...

I do NOT play games, watch movies, or use high performance req programs like photoshop.

I usually stick to browsing the internet; working on homework on it; MSN; listening to music, etc. Fairly simple stuff.. usually have 3 windows open at the most. I use my laptop a lot though, but keep it casual.

I understand how much RAM I need and all that, but can you please recommend a processor? What will be sufficient for my uses?

I'm specifically looking at laptops that are AMD Athlon 64 Processor, AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core, and Intel Core 2 Duo (is that too much though?)

Here are some examples of laptops I am looking at:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...61&catid=28239

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...69&catid=28239

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...43&catid=28239

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...60&catid=26955 (this one is $750; really the price is $850 in the store!)

Please help with advice.. I don't know if the last one is too much, or the other one's are too weak for my uses. I'm a student with a limited budget, so really thinking about the costs.. which is the reason that I have picked out these laptops as possible buys.

Please note that the last Intel 2 Core Duo I can get for $750 instead of $850 (the actual store price).. is it worth it getting it then? Is it that much better than the AMDs that a couple hundred dollars shouldn't matter?

Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 19
11/20/09 at 3:46am
Thread Starter 
And note that I did not include any Pentiums or other Intel processors because really.. they're only $100 or so cheaper than the sale price of $750 I can get the core 2 duo for.. so it's really not worth it going for them.
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post #3 of 19
11/20/09 at 6:06am
With the ones that you mentioned above, I personally would go with an AMD X2 core machine. The graphic chip, though integrated, is still performing a tat better than the Intel GMA 4500.

cheers ...
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post #4 of 19
11/20/09 at 3:30pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reply.. the graphic chip/card doesn't really matter to me.

It's more the performance of the processor that I'm concerned with.

Anyone else please?.. Going in about a few hours. Any replies, no matter how short are appreciated.
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post #5 of 19
11/20/09 at 4:06pm
#2 is the best performance/value. #1 very slightly better CPU but not worth the cost diff. #3/4 have slower CPU's than I would want.
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post #6 of 19
11/20/09 at 4:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerpack View Post
#2 is the best performance/value. #1 very slightly better CPU but not worth the cost diff. #3/4 have slower CPU's than I would want.
I'm confused.. which ones are you referring to?

#1 (first link I posted) is the cheapest.. #4 (fourth) - the Intel Core 2 Duo is obviously the best. Which one is the best performance/value?

Please elaborate.
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post #7 of 19
11/20/09 at 4:26pm
I so screwed up! Sorry, I did not open in order then thought I did. #3 is the best #4 is the Intel and not worth the extra cash imo. #1/2 too slow for me.
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post #8 of 19
11/20/09 at 4:35pm
Thread Starter 
Oh okay, thank you!!

Can you comment on this one too?
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0131714&catid= (the 14" screen is much more attractive than the 15.6" one)

Is AMD Anthlon > AMD Athlon 64?

Gathering from what you said about the #1 and #2 64s, I'll take it this probably would not suit me either?

Edit: this one too maybe? I don't know what's better.. the AMD Athlon X2 or Intel Pentium single core?
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0129068&catid=
529.95
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post #9 of 19
11/20/09 at 4:42pm
At least with current Athlon=Athlon 64. I think? That looks fine to me but #3 was cheaper? And #3 and that link have the same CPU.
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post #10 of 19
11/20/09 at 4:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerpack View Post
At least with current Athlon=Athlon 64. I think? That looks fine to me but #3 was cheaper? And #3 and that link have the same CPU.
#3 - Toshiba 15.6" AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core
The one I just posted is Acer Aspire 14" AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core

So AMD Athlon 64 X2 = AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core?

#3 is cheaper (on sale right now actually - reg price is 620), but I think it's because it's a bigger screen.. 15.6". Whereas the one I just posted is 14". Oh and Toshiba I would imagine is more expensive than Acer.
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post #11 of 19
11/20/09 at 4:54pm
Thread Starter 
Oh I see what you're looking at.. #3 and that one are pretty much identical, except this 14" Acer has an extra gig of RAM (4).

ONE LAST QUESTION:ATI Radeon HD 3200 is the graphics card... is this equivalent or better than a Nvidia Geforce 3?
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post #12 of 19
11/20/09 at 4:54pm
Both are QL-65's the specs for these are written by the marketing dept. So that is the reason for the discrepancy.

I failed to consider the screen size. I much prefer 14". Acer is a notebook company that seems to be on the rise. At least since the last two years and definitely currently they have a very acceptable quality reputation. Maybe even better than average. There was a time in the past considered crap. Not true now.

15's are the base, you pay a little extra for larger and smaller in general.
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post #13 of 19
11/20/09 at 5:02pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah Im thinking of going for it.. $549.99 is just the right price for me right now.

Not sure about the brand name though.. have heard bad things about it, but it's reassuring to hear you say that it's on the rise.

Any ideas about the graphic card?
Quote:
ATI Radeon HD 3200 is the graphics card... is this equivalent or better than a Nvidia Geforce 3?
Thanks so much for your help btw!
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post #14 of 19
11/20/09 at 5:40pm
3200 is a capable IGP about equal to dedicated 8400m/9300m Nvidia.

Side note 5 ODM's out of Taiwan make about 70% of the worlds notebooks. Most brands you buy do not even make notebooks. The brand you think is better made might be made in the same factory by the same ODM as the Acer. I don't have an Acer but if t fit my needs I would have no problem buying.

Acer just passed DeLL in some way of counting sales to become the #2 mfg behind HP. Acer is no longer a no brand company. They are in the big league's.
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post #15 of 19
11/20/09 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
Okay thanks so much.. I think I'm gonna get this one! I didn't notice the 4.54/5 rating on the future shop site (13 ratings)... which is a good sign too.

I'm gonna head out and buy it in a little bit.
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post #16 of 19
11/20/09 at 6:12pm
wireless N is a good thing if it didn't have I wouldn't worry though. But since it does...........
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post #17 of 19
11/20/09 at 8:43pm
Witchway did you get yet?
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post #18 of 19
1/6/10 at 4:07pm
Unrelated question... why is the Intel GMA4500 so popular when everyone agrees the graphics suck?
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post #19 of 19
1/6/10 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by everformal View Post
Unrelated question... why is the Intel GMA4500 so popular when everyone agrees the graphics suck?
Maybe the power of (not having the extra) $ has something to do with it?

Coupled with a good CPU, the system can offer some good performance for the price that the users are willing to pay.

cheers ...
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