More Laptop questions

[Jakemaster]

Just being curious...

I see that a lot of laptops now have Intel Centrino Duo processors.  Now that sounds good to me, I mean even my current desktop is only single core.  But the Centrino Duo seems limited in GHz, with most laptops using the 1.83 GHz.  My current processor is 2.2, but again, its single core.  How does a Dual Core, Centrino Duo 1.83 GHz compare to a Single Core, AMD Athlon 64 2.2?

Also, are the Laptop graphics any different from their desktop counterparts, ie is the Goforce 7600 the same as the Geforce 7600?

[congo]

The "Centrino" cpu's are different, you'll have to google up a comparison chart or something, but they are more powerful per clock cycle than Intel CPU's before them.

It takes some pretty intense research to figure out the answers to your questions, I did the same research late last year I think, but I've forgotten the details of it.

You have to be wary of Celeron or Celeron equivalents in the Centrino range. The Dothan CPU was the best one to get when I was looking, it fitted the latest chipset with the best performance specs.

Centrino is a group of power saving technologies, it's not a "thing" as such, most people don't realise this fact.

To say you have a Centrino processor is a

[Jakemaster]

I just found out that one of the schools Im looking at gives you a laptop (they just give it to you) freshman year.  What do you think of the specs?

       

Hardware

Intel Core Duo T2500 processor at 2.0 GHz
  (2 MB cache, 667 MHz FSB)
1GB RAM
14.1

[congo]

Don't let that influence your decision on choice of schools.

Whenever you see a gift horse, grab it by the reigns, pull it's head over, open it's mouth and have a really good look at it's teeth.  ;)

[Jakemaster]

Don't let that influence your decision on choice of schools.

Whenever you see a gift horse, grab it by the reigns, pull it's head over, open it's mouth and have a really good look at it's teeth.  ;)

LOL!  No, that wont influence me too much.  Im looking at going to either RPI or Kansas, and the choice will come down to (assuming I get accepted at both) which I like more when I visit

[congo]

It looks like a nice lappytop, but the video is not so good at all, wonder if that could be upgraded before purchase?

But then it's a 14"screen so...

[Jakemaster]

It looks like a nice lappytop, but the video is not so good at all, wonder if that could be upgraded before purchase?

But then it's a 14"screen so...

I doubt it...but they let you trade in for a new one every two years so it might be better when it comes time to renew.  

I was just curious and went to IBM to see how much it would cost...the laptop alone with XP pro, Office pro, and Photoshop Elements is 3600 dollars, and if you add in the other software they provide its probably about 4000+, so getting it through the school must be a great deal!

[congo]

That sort of money is nuts for a laptop like that, or any laptop for that matter. Laptops suck.

Use the Dell configurator and see what you can come up with when you select the best price/performance ratio parts.

[machineman9]

there are many nVidia pnes that work at 2ghz and ive seen some up to 2.2ghz  7900gtx i think

[cheesegrater]

Laptops are cool, but not for gaming.

[Saitek]

I second that. However, my new laptop will be running FS9 better than my main PC. My main PC has a 9600XT in it and the laptop a G06400. I get higher benchmarks on the lappy and I wasn't upset about my performance on the PC ot be honest. I'd get 30-35 consistent FPS with most things maxed except clouds on the 9600XT. It also runs FSX better, but just not good enough to make it worthwhile.

[Jakemaster]

I know that they arent for gaming, trust me, when Im all done with college and have a good career Ill build myself a good desktop for gaming.  But when it comes to college, I have no choice, I have to have a laptop.