Centrino 'v' Pentium etc.

[Ex-Biker]

I am looking to buy a new laptop at the moment.

I have tended to sway toward the ultraportable type in the past.

Apart from the costing more, most seem to have Centrino processors now. These are anything from 1.1 - 1.7ghz. However I can get a Pentium 4 with a 2.4 or even 3ghz processor for a fair bit less (admittedly a bigger, heavier machine)

Why buy a laptop with a smaller processor?

What are the advantages of Centrino over Pentium and Celeron etc?

Can anyone recommend a ggod laptop?

[plotloss]

Isnt Centrino the Intel Wireless marketing buzzword rather than a processor family?

[pdV6]

Ex-Biker said:

Why buy a laptop with a smaller processor?

As you've already pointed out, the major choice that faces you is whether to go for a lightweight machine or a powerful one.

Lightweights are intended for extended rather than occasional use on the move and therefore battery life is a key factor.

By putting a slower, less power-hungry processor in the box, you get lower power consumption and prolonged battery life. Then, you might be able to get away with a smaller battery, which further decreases the weight and increases portability.

You need to analyse how you're going to actually use the machine and pick one accordingly.

>> Edited by pdV6 on Wednesday 30th June 10:49

[roop]

I think Centrino incorporates low power processors as well as wireless. Wouldn't surprise me if the CPU was a Pentium M variant.

www.intel.com/products/mobiletechnology/index.htm

Roop

[plotloss]

Is Crusoe still an option in this marketplace or did that die a sharp painful death?

[roop]

I bought a Dell Latitude 800 series for my dad a couple of months back. Specced it to the hilt and it really is the dogs bolx. Can't fault it bar the slightly weak feeling keyboard.

Monster WUXGA display resolution and gorgeous widescreen TFT (15.4" display at 1680x1050) is lovely.

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/latit_d800?c=uk&l=en&s=bsd

[d-man]

Centrino laptops have wireless LAN built in and are based on Pentium M processors.

The Pentium M is much faster clock for clock than the equivalent Mobile Pentium 4, in fact a 1.7Ghz Pentium M is easily a match for a 2.4Ghz Pentium 4. The Celeron will be slower again.

Pentium Ms also use less power, which makes them more suitable for the ultra portable type laptops.

[Jay-Aim]

Centrino and M chip also have reduced heat due to lower speeds

As said, you need to determine your potential usage and priorities and then decide

[Ex-Biker]

Looks like I'll stick with a lightweight with Centrino processor.

Long life and light weight are an attractive proposition.

I tend only to use MS Office, Photoshop, a little web work and occasional games (but nothing too intense). So a fairly decent graphics card might be useful.

Anyone recommend a nice one?

BTW I'm a cheapskate.

[stuh]

Ex-Biker said:

Looks like I'll stick with a lightweight with Centrino processor. Long life and light weight are an attractive proposition. I tend only to use MS Office, Photoshop, a little web work and occasional games (but nothing too intense). So a fairly decent graphics card might be useful. Anyone recommend a nice one? BTW I'm a cheapskate.

Gotta be Centrino everytime for a laptop.

Centrino itself is Intels mobile platform which consists of the Pentium "M" processor platform and wireless connecivity, currently 802.11b.

However you can still have a non-centrino laptop that contains a Pentium M processor - clear as mud now i'd imagine

The latest M class processor is Dothan and can be had in speeds up to 2 Ghz. This will whip the pants of a comparable P4 processor less than 3GHz and give you excellent battery life to boot.

I currently use an Acer Travelmate 803Lci - which gives me fantastic performance for approximately 5 hours off the internal battery and has a superb 1400x1050 XGA 15" TFT and Radeon 9000 graphics. Good enough to play most modern games on It's also "thin and light", unlike myself.

Full spec here :

https://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/acersite/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=116&cat

Should be ablt to pick one up for around £850 online..

Review here :

http://reviews.cnet.com/Acer_TravelMate_803LCi___Pentium_M_1_6_GHz___15__TFT/4505-3122_7-20949315.html?tag=prod





>> Edited by stuh on Wednesday 30th June 18:21

[agent006]

stuh said:

https://<a href="http://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/acersite/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=116&cat">www.acernotebooks.co.uk/acersite/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=116&cat</a>

Please excuse me whilst i vomit copiously.
There is really a quality step in laptop quality, and acer are firmly on the bottom step.
We use all compaq laptops at work, and have 2 or 3 acers and the difference realy is staggering. We still have a lot of 4 and 5 year old compaqs and the acers barely last 2. Poor physical design and case materials mean they physically fall apart. Compontens are fine though.

If it just sits on your desk, then get anything. If you need it to work and go places then buy in this order:

IBM
HP/CPQ
Dell
Toshiba

[Ex-Biker]

I kinda like this:
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/latit_x300?c=uk&l=en&s=bsd

1.3kg, now that's one of the very few I've seen as light as my current Sony.

What's the equivalent in IBM and Compaq etc.

[stuh]

agent006 said:

stuh said: https://<a href="http://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/acersite/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=116&cat"><a href="http://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/acersite/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=116&cat">www.acernotebooks.co.uk/acersite/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=116&cat</a></a> Please excuse me whilst i vomit copiously. There is really a quality step in laptop quality, and acer are firmly on the bottom step. We use all compaq laptops at work, and have 2 or 3 acers and the difference realy is staggering. We still have a lot of 4 and 5 year old compaqs and the acers barely last 2. Poor physical design and case materials mean they physically fall apart. Compontens are fine though. If it just sits on your desk, then get anything. If you need it to work and go places then buy in this order: IBM HP/CPQ Dell Toshiba

It's a funny old world, as i wouldn't touch a compaq laptop with someone elses.

Concur with IBM's though. Top class kit.

[duntonsr]

two thoughts - on the ultraportable side - I've found the Sony machines exceptional I'm currently using a PCG-TR1MP

and on the Processor side, I think Pentium M and Centrino are in fact the same thing. The difference being that a Centrino uses an Intel Wireless chipset and Pentium M's use a 3rd party wireless chipset

HTH


Steve