Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

I am going to get my first Laptop (notebook) computer, and was wondering
what things should I look out for, especially which models are the best
(below $1,500). I have my eye set on a Toshiba Satellite SA60-332, but
am also considering the Satellite SA50-432 (I want toshiba cause of the
3 years int. warranty)

However I have some questions;

Which is better; Pentium 4, 2.8ghz processor or Centrino 1.5ghz?
What is the bus speed and which is best?
What is the difference between Level 2 cache and the standard one, I
know it's the temporary ram on the chip, but what else. And will a Level
2, 2mb cache really be that fast?

Also, I don't mind changing brands as long as I get a really tough
notebook, I don't care about the weight or the size, be it 15kgs, but I
want toughness more than anything, can anyone recomend a specifc model
(other than the panasonic toughbook)

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

Mustafa wrote:

> I am going to get my first Laptop (notebook) computer, and was wondering
> what things should I look out for, especially which models are the best
> (below $1,500).

One with an Athlon 64 processor.

> I have my eye set on a Toshiba Satellite SA60-332, but
> am also considering the Satellite SA50-432 (I want toshiba cause of the
> 3 years int. warranty)
>
> However I have some questions;
>
> Which is better; Pentium 4, 2.8ghz processor or Centrino 1.5ghz?

They are both old technology since they are only 32 bit chips. An Athlon 64
will execute 32 bit programs rapidly, and will also execute 64 bit programs
when a 64 bit operating system is installed. With a 64 bit operating system,
one could run 32 bit software side by side with 64 bit software.

>
> What is the bus speed and which is best?
> What is the difference between Level 2 cache and the standard one, I
> know it's the temporary ram on the chip, but what else. And will a Level
> 2, 2mb cache really be that fast?
>
> Also, I don't mind changing brands as long as I get a really tough
> notebook, I don't care about the weight or the size, be it 15kgs, but I
> want toughness more than anything, can anyone recomend a specifc model
> (other than the panasonic toughbook)

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

> Which is better; Pentium 4, 2.8ghz processor or Centrino 1.5ghz?

Its a laptop, so go for the centrino. Pent-M processors are much faster per
clock than P4's.

You should see 4 hours battery life with one eaisally.

Dont believe the 64bit hype, when 64 bit OS's are the norm, then A-64's will
be out of date.

hamman

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

Hamman wrote:

> > Which is better; Pentium 4, 2.8ghz processor or Centrino 1.5ghz?
>
> Its a laptop, so go for the centrino. Pent-M processors are much faster per
> clock than P4's.
>
> You should see 4 hours battery life with one eaisally.
>
> Dont believe the 64bit hype, when 64 bit OS's are the norm, then A-64's will
> be out of date.

64 bit versions of Linux are out now, as is the beta version
of Windows XP 64 bit(it is a free download). The official
release of 64 bit Windows XP is scheduled for early 2005.
An Athlon 64 is also great for executing 32 bit programs
with a 32 bit OS.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipse [...] i=2065&p=1

>
>
> hamman

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

>> Dont believe the 64bit hype, when 64 bit OS's are the norm, then A-64's
>> will
>> be out of date.
>
> 64 bit versions of Linux are out now, as is the beta version
> of Windows XP 64 bit(it is a free download). The official
> release of 64 bit Windows XP is scheduled for early 2005.
> An Athlon 64 is also great for executing 32 bit programs
> with a 32 bit OS.
>
> http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipse [...] i=2065&p=1
>
Yes, thats great, but:

1. I heavily doubt the OP wants to use a linux OS
2. A-64's are good for 32bit code, but this is a laptop, so power saving is
key. Before you mention powernow!, i'm writing this on a mobile 2500+
3. While parts of XP-64 are 64bit, he mjority of the coding is still 32bit.
Running the 64bit core also eliminated any 16bit applications, of which
there are a fair few floating around.

hamman

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

Hamman wrote:

> >> Dont believe the 64bit hype, when 64 bit OS's are the norm, then A-64's
> >> will
> >> be out of date.
> >
> > 64 bit versions of Linux are out now, as is the beta version
> > of Windows XP 64 bit(it is a free download). The official
> > release of 64 bit Windows XP is scheduled for early 2005.
> > An Athlon 64 is also great for executing 32 bit programs
> > with a 32 bit OS.
> >
> > http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipse [...] i=2065&p=1
> >
> Yes, thats great, but:
>
> 1. I heavily doubt the OP wants to use a linux OS
> 2. A-64's are good for 32bit code, but this is a laptop, so power saving is
> key. Before you mention powernow!, i'm writing this on a mobile 2500+
> 3. While parts of XP-64 are 64bit, he mjority of the coding is still 32bit.
> Running the 64bit core also eliminated any 16bit applications, of which
> there are a fair few floating around.

Who runs 16 bit applications?

>
>
> hamman

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

"JK" <JK9821@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:412D1953.EF1FF08F@netscape.net...
>
>
> Hamman wrote:
>
>> >> Dont believe the 64bit hype, when 64 bit OS's are the norm, then
>> >> A-64's
>> >> will
>> >> be out of date.
>> >
>> > 64 bit versions of Linux are out now, as is the beta version
>> > of Windows XP 64 bit(it is a free download). The official
>> > release of 64 bit Windows XP is scheduled for early 2005.
>> > An Athlon 64 is also great for executing 32 bit programs
>> > with a 32 bit OS.
>> >
>> > http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipse [...] i=2065&p=1
>> >
>> Yes, thats great, but:
>>
>> 1. I heavily doubt the OP wants to use a linux OS
>> 2. A-64's are good for 32bit code, but this is a laptop, so power saving
>> is
>> key. Before you mention powernow!, i'm writing this on a mobile 2500+
>> 3. While parts of XP-64 are 64bit, he mjority of the coding is still
>> 32bit.
>> Running the 64bit core also eliminated any 16bit applications, of which
>> there are a fair few floating around.
>
> Who runs 16 bit applications?
>
Chances are your are right now, unless youre on linux

hamman

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

For laptop use, typical usage falls into 2 distinct uses:
o CPU bound - where absolute CPU horsepower matters
---- from scientific to games
o I/O bound - where the hard-drive rpm/SDTR/latency matters
---- typically switching between many apps, email searches, multiple pdfs

The benefit of 64-bit may be somewhat moot compared to fitting a 7200rpm
2.5" HD in contrast to a 4200rpm 2.5" HD. Depends what the horse is doing.

For most users, the Centrino (P-M) is the superior option right now:
o It offers less heat production, longer battery life & better resale value
o Arguably the laptop might be more reliable re thermal density/gradients

The Athlon64 in a laptop would be good for scientific applications, which
I might add are also often better on P4 than P-M despite general perception.

The P4 in a laptop is a somewhat poor choice:
o Typically it has a high thermal output & is an inefficient architecture
---- the P-M dissipates as little as 1/3rd the watts for a similar experience
o Initially Celeron laptops suffered poor resale vs P4, now it's P4's turn
---- this can be a factor in recycling the capital tied up in a purchase later

The P-M is the architecture the P4 "should have been".
In reality the P-M is a development of the P3 line which was ended mainly
due to Intel's difficulty in clocking it above 1.4Ghz economically (re profit).

There are now several Centrino/P-M processors, so choose carefully.
It is possible to pick up a valid performer without paying a lot of money,
and if running XP-Pro realise that on a laptop memory helps re slow HD I/O.
On a desktop if 256MB suited your apps/data, consider 384MB on a laptop
since the disk I/O is at around half the speed if not slightly slower re latency.
Adding memory later (eg, via www.crucial.com) is cheaper than at purchase.

If your laptop, however, has the option of a 5400rpm HD over 4200rpm for
a small difference in price, then consider taking up the option re "system feel".

Any of an Athlon64, P-M or P4 laptop will feel fast for most applications.
However, the P-M will still be running on battery whilst the P4 needs charging,
and your laptop will thank you for the P-M over most P4 designs re heat output.

There is a mobile P4, however the Centrino is the better choice out there.
Watch carefully what wireless option you get - they vary in quality & spec.

A brand like IBM, Dell or Toshiba offers backup that Acer don't.
uk.comp.sys.laptops would be a good place to browse or ask questions.

The Mobile Athlon has a nice trick the P-M can't do - it can run on a desktop
board, and in doing so really emphasise the heat-dog of the P4-Prescott design.
--
Dorothy Bradbury
www.stores.ebay.co.uk/panaflofan for quiet Panaflo fans & other items
www.dorothybradbury.co.uk (free delivery)