Buying a new laptop but Cpu confusion?

[eldudereno]

Looking to buy a new laptop but am confused about all of the CPU options and which is the quickest and most suitable for my requirements.

Won't be playing any games on it will use 2D and 3D design software. My desktop has the following spec and just about copes, AMD Sempron 3100+, 1.8GHz with 512MB RAM.

I obviously require a 17" screen and at least 1GB of memory but the more the better.

Can anyone please shed any light on which CPU I should be going for? Three options I've been looking at are,

1)Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5500, 1.66GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2MB Cache

2)AMD Turion 64 X2 TL56 - 1.8GHz

3)AMD Sempron 3600+ 2.0GHz

Am trying to get something for under £500

Many thanks

[Marf]

My Vaio has the T5500 CPU with a 1gb of ram, motors along nicely

[FunkyNige]

The Sempron is the budget AMD CPU so I'd avoid that one, of the other 2 I'd go for the Intel.

[LukeBird]

We have some Acer laptop's with that T5500 processor in with 512mb RAM.
For 2D/3D design I'd say that you'd probably get frustrated with its performance.
On that basis I'd go for Turion based machine.
And the fact I don't want to give my money to Intel

[TheLearner]

eldudereno said:

1)Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5500, 1.66GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2MB Cache

Intel dual core. Not the super dooper version, nor the wickedly quick version... but sufficient.

eldudereno said:

2)AMD Turion 64 X2 TL56 - 1.8GHz

AMD's version of the above. Seems respectable enough in reviews, but not used a machine with the X2 versions. Cheaper per unit (to the OEM) than the above so generally appears in mid/low range laptops.

eldudereno said:

3)AMD Sempron 3600+ 2.0GHz

The AMD Celeron. Bottom of the barrel, single core, feature stripped. Budget laptop territory. Crap.

eldudereno said:

Am trying to get something for under £500

Up your budget or drop the 17" screen requirement. 17" @ £500, if you find such a beast, will have piss poor build quality and be cheap n' nasty. Aim for a 14"/15" widescreen unit.