Laptop experts

[f5fstop]

AMD or Intel? I need a new laptop, and I'm trying to decide.
Is the Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo processor T2500 (2.0 GHz) really worth almost $200 more than the AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-40 (2.2GHz/1MB L2 Cache). Both will have XP pro and at least 1 gig of RAM.
My old Toshiba with the POS celeron and 512K is getting too slow, and the damn fan runs almost all the time.

[NoMoGMPG]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

AMD or Intel? I need a new laptop, and I'm trying to decide.
Is the Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo processor T2500 (2.0 GHz) really worth almost $200 more than the AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-40 (2.2GHz/1MB L2 Cache). Both will have XP pro and at least 1 gig of RAM.
My old Toshiba with the POS celeron and 512K is getting too slow, and the damn fan runs almost all the time.

The AMD kicks the crap out of Intel's supposed 'Duo' Dual-core easily. Less heat, better battery life, and more processes per cycle. The Intel tries to cram both cores processing through its FSB/Northbridge bottleneck, whereas the AMD uses the better system of integrated on-chip memory management. There is a reason Intel is losing market share, it has to do with thrown together answers to AMD innovation.

Dave

[evldave]

Originally Posted by NoMoGMPG

The AMD kicks the crap out of Intel's supposed 'Duo' Dual-core easily. Less heat, better battery life, and more processes per cycle. The Intel tries to cram both cores processing through its FSB/Northbridge bottleneck, whereas the AMD uses the better system of integrated on-chip memory management. There is a reason Intel is losing market share, it has to do with thrown together answers to AMD innovation.

Agreed. I used to be a diehard Intel (ford) fan. For years I bought nothing but Intel (ford) - new, used, didn't matter, no matter who's was better, I always bought Intel (ford). Then, one day, I realized that I was just buying Intel (ford) because that's what I'd always done, so I bought an AMD (GM) and behold! it was better. Now, I buy the best I can afford for what I want, now I have 3 computers, 2 intel (ford), 1 AMD (GM) and am upgrading my Intel (ford) laptop for an AMD (GM) one because of all that stuff NoMoGo said.

Truth is, unless you are buying a gaming laptop or a laptop for video processing, either processor will work well, and the AMD is cheaper. I have a celeron 1.6 w/1GB ram and it runs all my mapping software, allows me to tinker with my digital pics, does rudimentary video editing (poorly) and most important downloads porn just as fast as any other computer I can buy .

I'd recommend going w/the AMD. CNET does a good job of comparing the different processesor levels performance so you can look there to see which might be better if you have a specialized use in mind.

[f5fstop]

Laptop is primarily for surfing the web, answering emails, and some small spread sheets from time-to-time. Also use it to access GM-Dealerworld for working on vehicles and answering questions on this site a lot of times.
I also use it when traveling for downloaded digital files from my D70 to clear the memory chips. But I do very little in Photoshop on the laptop.
Scanning of slides and processing of all digital photos in Photoshop and then printing of digital prints are done on my desktop which is an Intel 3.4 (3.6?), with 4-gigs of DDR-2 RAM.
However, for surfing the web, you can't beat sitting in the recliner.

[Ted Kennedy]

Oh, pardon my intrusion. I thought this was about lap dances. Heh, heh.

[Fubar]

CNET

Agreed Cnet.com does a great job of comparing and explaining. I also agree that you'll get more bang for the buck going with AMD. Like you, almost all of my pc's are/were Intel except my G5 dual 2.7 and new Allienware

While the allienware is way, way, WAY over priced starting at $1999. it is a kick a.s.s laptop and with dual 100gig 7200rpm hard drives and enough processing power and ram even video editing on location isn't much of a problem any more. Getting a project out of Adobe's Permiere and back into Final Cut Pro on my Mac is however at times challenging.

[H2 Ranger]

I think I remembered somewhere that in order for Dual Core Processors to work properly you need to have SMP type software. I decided against buying the Dual Core and saving the 200 bucks as I couldn't justify the expense.

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by H2 Ranger

I think I remembered somewhere that in order for Dual Core Processors to work properly you need to have SMP type software. I decided against buying the Dual Core and saving the 200 bucks as I couldn't justify the expense.

Congratulations on your 100th "last post"!

[H2 Ranger]

Originally Posted by CO Hummer

Congratulations on your 100th "last post"!

But not for you! and wish you a nice day too.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Laptop is primarily for surfing the web, answering emails, and some small spread sheets from time-to-time. Also use it to access GM-Dealerworld for working on vehicles and answering questions on this site a lot of times.
I also use it when traveling for downloaded digital files from my D70 to clear the memory chips. But I do very little in Photoshop on the laptop.
Scanning of slides and processing of all digital photos in Photoshop and then printing of digital prints are done on my desktop which is an Intel 3.4 (3.6?), with 4-gigs of DDR-2 RAM.
However, for surfing the web, you can't beat sitting in the recliner.

This is pretty much exactly what I use my current laptop for, adding in porn (while sitting in the recliner watching porn on the TV). I also haul it on road trips and use it for mapping/navigation while out camping. Don't know your price range, but this is what I've been looking at:

HP D8135 (or any of the 81xx line) if you want bigger screen and monster HD space (up to 240GB now I think).

HP 5100 series if you don't care about the HD space (go w/the AMD processesor). This is pretty much what I've settled on for a couple of reasons. First, it's lots of stuff for a relatively cheap price (numerous discounts available if you look a lot). Second, it's HP, and my current Compaq laptop has lasted through A LOT (drops, melted case froma candle, years of offroad driving, trip up the daulton highway in Alaska, beer spills, porn, etc) and I'm very happy with it's durability. Third, I can get it cheapest at BestBuy, which means I'm not f'ing around with repair problems - spend the extra $$ for the superwarranty and anywhere you are you can take it in. I'm not usually a fan of chainstores, but it's nice for situations like this.

Others I've looked at and why I'm going away from them:

Dell (various models) - too expensive for the features, maybe better build quality, looks better (if you care), but you can get some serious discounts on the HP if you shop around (and little on the dell - it only becomes price-comparible when they have their discounts and it's really not close).

Toshiba - Japanese, 'nuf said

Acer - ditto

Alienware - kick butt, but too much $$ since I also have a desktop for all the serious stuff.

Gateway - a late comer, haven't really done much research, might be worth a look.

...and I think that's the list of American-made laptops. A few $$ or features here and there aren't worth it for me to go overseas, and the build quality on electronics nowadays is so homogenous it's not like a yugo/bmw, more like a bmw/mercedes.

My 2 cents, take it for what it's worth...

[HummBebe]

I heart teh Aliens

Area 51 rocks!

[KenP]

You're not using it for much, so one similar to one of ours would do fine. It's an Acer we picked up at Circuit City, on sale for about $500 with a 17" screen, built in wireless, 40 gig and a bunch of crap I'll never use. I got it primarily for trips and posting on Elcova.

[f5fstop]

I have found some interesting things on the net in regard to my question. Some info from Tom's Hardware and PC World. It does appear the duo core Intel processor is faster than the Turion processors. One major reason is for some reason the Intel's use DDR2 400 versus the AMD's that use 333 DDR.
However, the speed boost for me on a laptop does not appear to be enough to warrant the differences in prices. I guess when 64-bit software comes onboard, the AMD will kick ass, and from researching, it appears if I was purchasing a desktop with the Athalon processors, I would jump to AMD in a second.
Right now, I pretty much have settled on a Compaq V5000Z with XP Pro
AMD Turion 64 ML-40 (2.2 GHz/1MB L2 Cache
15.4 Brightview WXGA 1280-800 screen
128 MB ATI Radeo Xpress
1.0 GB DDR RAM (1x1024)
80 GB 5400 RPM HD
54g 802.11 b/g w/Lan 125 HSM/Speedbooster
DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
$1135.14 plus good old MI taxes

The identical computer V5000T with the Intell, 1 GB DDR2 memory and a 80 GB SATI 5400 RPM HD is $1556.00 (plus MI Tax ) or $420.00 more, for some additional speed I will probably never need in a laptop.

Both include shipping and a GM discount. For some reason, the HP's are more than the Compaqs with the identical equipment.

As for why Compaq? I agree with Eldave. My big desktop is a compaq, and never had a problem in the past year, and my previous Desktop was a three year old HP and the only problems I ever had was a CD ROM drive and Floppy disk drive failed and I had to replace after warranty. I gave it to a single mom with a young kid and today, it is still running perfect.

I can't bash Toshiba though. My current laptop is a Toshiba, and the only problem in the three years I have had it was a hard drive failure the second week, and they replaced it in less than a week via UPS overnight service. It is just too slow anymore with the celeron processor and 512 MB Ram.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Now all I need is a DC to AC converter to run the laptop while traveling to Utah, so I can watch DVDs while I make my son drive (especially through Iowa and Nebraska).

[evldave]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

...Now all I need is a DC to AC converter to run the laptop while traveling to Utah, so I can watch DVDs while I make my son drive (especially through Iowa and Nebraska).

I've used an APC Model PNoteAC75. It's a small 75W inverter that I've had for 4-5 years. Rock solid construction, plus it has the plane adapter in case you travel by air a lot. Might be a bit underpowered, but I've used it with my work Thinkpad (90W) for 14 hr flights to Hong Kong w/no problems - it gets hot, but works flawlessly.

I've used this in my h3 - I just plug it in the far left outlet, and tuck it down under the passenger seat. I like it because it's smaller than many inverters, plus it's solidly built. Only real problem I see with it is it isn't UL Listed.

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by evldave

I've used an APC Model PNoteAC75. It's a small 75W inverter that I've had for 4-5 years. Rock solid construction, plus it has the plane adapter in case you travel by air a lot. Might be a bit underpowered, but I've used it with my work Thinkpad (90W) for 14 hr flights to Hong Kong w/no problems - it gets hot, but works flawlessly.

I've used this in my h3 - I just plug it in the far left outlet, and tuck it down under the passenger seat. I like it because it's smaller than many inverters, plus it's solidly built. Only real problem I see with it is it isn't UL Listed.

I was looking at those APCs today. They have one for 49.95 that is rated for 350 Watts. Under 140 watts you can use the cigarette lighter cord, over 140 and you have to use the little cables and connect directly to the battery.

[Aubs]

I have to say I honestly don't know which is better. I've had AMD's and hated them, likewise with Intel chipsets.

However, I do recommend this, and only to my dearest friends like you FStop:

Buy your laptop at Costco!

I guess you might get a special GM deal on one, but at Costco, if your laptop takes a dump within six months (which all I've ever had do!), you can return it for a full refund or a replacement! That is worth paying $200 extra for. Just make sure you keep everything that came with the unit. They need cords, CD's, booklets, etc. Since they're program is also no questions (other than why you brought it back for manufacturer info)/any reason, you could try out the one you think you want and if you don't like it take it back.

Just my words of advice. Additionally, I have had poor build quality from AVERATEC. I punched the last one in the screen for it's problems and sliced open my hand. So I blame the brand completely. (But really, it was a POS).

And no, I don't work for Costco, but I do buy a most of my stuff there, and I have returned items and found their return policy to be true. I even dropped my laptop once, broke the screen, and they replaced it. That was really a stretch, but I begged and pleaded, and they obliged.

[ssgharkness020147]

NO NO NO. Not kick but, piece of ****. I have one, its a 2700.00 dollar custom built piece of crap. Nothing but problems since the second I took it out of the box. Screen problems, it always flickers or blacks out til you smack it. CD/DVD burner does not work, oh and now the drive does not work at all. Constant BIOS issues because of a Belkin card. So on and so on. And as far as customer service went it was always send it in. So I sent it in over and over, and it never came back totally fixed. I'll never buy another nor will I ever reccomend them. It too bad too, they make some great looking laptops, especially the new ones; dual internal hard drives etc...

Originally Posted by evldave

Alienware - kick butt, but too much $$ since I also have a desktop for all the serious stuff.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Both include shipping and a GM discount. For some reason, the HP's are more than the Compaqs with the identical equipment.

HP is the high-end version of Compaq (relatively). Think Nissan-Infinity. I checked best as I could on components in the models and HP and Compaq components used are almost identical - essentially the same computer, only difference is name on the box.

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by ssgharkness020147

NO NO NO. Not kick but, piece of ****. I have one, its a 2700.00 dollar custom built piece of crap. Nothing but problems since the second I took it out of the box. Screen problems, it always flickers or blacks out til you smack it. CD/DVD burner does not work, oh and now the drive does not work at all. Constant BIOS issues because of a Belkin card. So on and so on. And as far as customer service went it was always send it in. So I sent it in over and over, and it never came back totally fixed. I'll never buy another nor will I ever reccomend them. It too bad too, they make some great looking laptops, especially the new ones; dual internal hard drives etc...

I have to disagree....mine is fabulous. I heart teh Area 51

[evldave]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

I have to disagree....mine is fabulous. I heart teh Area 51

Gonna have to go look at this. What model do you have? Flip it over, look for a UL in a circle and tell me what the 4 digits (numbers & letters) to the lower right of the circle are, if there's another number starting with E######, give me that too (PM me on that).