19. Conclusions

As our Asus W5F tests show, Intel's dual-core platform based on the 945GM chipset delivers noticeably higher performance compared to its predecessor. The integrated graphics core in the 945GM, the 950GMA, offers as much as 100% more 3D performance than the preceding 915GM chipset with the GMA900 graphics core. But when compared to inexpensive, entry-level dedicated graphics solutions from ATI and Nvidia, the Intel offering lags behind in 3D performance. That probably explains why Intel positions the 945GM chipset in combination with the dual-core processors of its Core Duo family for business notebook applications. It is also important to recognize that this new processing and chipset technology costs only 10% more than older single-core CPU systems based on the Pentium M processor and the 915GM chipset. For productivity applications such as MS Word, Excel and Outlook, the added expense of a dual-core system, however, cannot be justified despite the marginal cost difference. Only those who run virus scans continuously in the background, and who regularly use multiple system services and more resource-intensive applications such as video editing or 3D rendering, are likely to appreciate the dual-core benefits. In other words, ordinary office users may not benefit from a dual-core system, but heavy-duty power users surely will.

When it comes to battery lifetime, the new Intel Core Duo platform represents a definite step ahead of its predecessors - as long as you don't use its wireless network features too much. The extra battery life afforded by the Asus laptop with the Centrino Duo platform drops to a mere 20 minutes, compared to nearly an hour for DVD playback, when the wireless antenna is activated and a connection is established.

So would we recommend that you buy a Core Duo notebook with a 945GM chipset? Until Microsoft resolves the power consumption problems with USB-2.0 device connectivity, we have reservations. This explains our prevailing attitude toward an "old" Centrino and Pentium M system, which does the job well when it comes to handling everyday business-computing needs. A virus scan doesn't run any faster on the dual-core system either, because the limiting factor there is hard disk performance, not CPU limitations. We cannot even get too excited about the possibility of some revolutionary, multi-tasking computing experiences with yet-to-be released software applications that a dual-core CPU can accommodate. However, immediate benefits are at hand by being able to switch around among different office applications while running a virus scan in the background, all without noticeable pauses in system activity or input delays.

Power users will probably feel differently. Those who work with images, 3D models or video encoding/decoding, or who need lots of compute power for scientific calculations, will probably consider a Core Duo notebook with a 945 chipset to be more than just a better choice compared to older, single-core solutions. For them, the combination of longer battery life and higher performance potential add up to clear advantages.

All other business users should buy a dual-core system with the 945GM chipset only if they cannot put off the outlay and don't mind paying the higher costs involved. Even single-core systems are hampered by significant reductions in battery life due to the USB 2.0 device power consumption problems we discuss above. Perhaps some buyers will wait for AMD's much-anticipated launch of its mobile Turion 64 X2 processors with great anticipation and suspense.

Join our discussion on this topic