Hi all! I'm looking to buy a new laptop as my last one was stolen last month. Had a couple of laptops over the last few years and want to make sure I buy the right one this time, so I'm trying to learn the basics about processors and RAM etc etc so I know what I'm buying.
Are there massive differences between the processor chips? From what I've read up, I see that (for Intel) the Pentium is one of the older chips and the Core 2 Duo is one of the newest. But when I look up specs, a lot of the processors seem to have similar enough speeds. e.g. a Pentium Dual Core T4300 has 2.1 Ghz and a Core 2 Duo T6600 has 2.2 Ghz. Does this mean I wouldn't notice much difference between them performance wise? Or what else do I need to know about these chips?
Thanks
I would not be looking to see what processor chip I was buying. Most of the machines out today do not perform to the chipsets specs because the ROM and other parts of the computer cannot deliver at such a speed. Look at the memory before you buy anything !
When I started getting into computers I read a lot about them in magazines:
[broken link removed]
As I became more knowledgeable I read more specialist sites such as Tom's Hardware;
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/
When I needed some gossipy nonsense to cheer me up I used to read:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/
Search all these sites for relevant info.
For aficionados the big question these days seems to be 32 -vs- 64 bit computing. Then you have to decide on whether you need a separate graphics card or not. Then you need ot decide on your form factor - portability -vs- features and screen size [affected by whether you work on the move of not]. Finally you need to consider your attachments - mouse, usb and firewire connections, external hard drive, camera, etc.
More RAM is always useful but for most daily tasks like WP or browsing, a 2.0Ghz computer should be enough. If you multi-task a lot, then dual core computing may be for you, but I strongly recommend you try a friends' laptop before you commit, with the full complement of applications running, before you commit. Articles and reviews can only give you so much.
HTH
ONQ.
Thanks for the links, I'll take a look through them. I don't know the difference between 32 and 64 bit computing so I should probably look into that then.
I already know what I need in terms of portability, screen size, number of USB ports etc. My last laptop had only 2GB RAM and I found it slow for what I was doing - that said, it was running Vista which takes up most of the 2GB anyway I believe, so I know I'll notice an improvement with a Windows 7 OS anyway. But I just want to make sure everything runs quickly - it's so frustrating waiting for stuff to open and load.
I would not be looking to see what processor chip I was buying. Most of the machines out today do not perform to the chipsets specs because the ROM and other parts of the computer cannot deliver at such a speed. Look at the memory before you buy anything !
...I set up a couple of Windows 7 lap-tops for family members over Christmas and I must congratulate MicroSoft yet again for copying, admittedly several years later, innovations made by Apple.
For me, that'd be the same as congratulating someone for spreading the 'flu virus...and that people are buying windows machines?
For me, that'd be the same as congratulating someone for spreading the 'flu virus.
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