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Now that you've answered the What, When, Where and How questions you might think you're ready to spend money. Nope, not yet. You've still got to figure out how to put the pieces together. Which CPU do you need? How much RAM? What capacity hard drive? What kind of Graphics Processor? Do you want a DVD/CD-RW or DVD±RW optical drive? To help you decide; here's a brief laptop component overview.
Central Processing Units (CPUs)
Sometimes it seems as though Intel and AMD are headed-up by Top Gun pilots with a similar need; the need for speed. Consequently, processors keep getting faster and faster. When you begin shopping for your new laptop you'll see a lot of emphasis on the type of processor included and its easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices. Just take a breath and relax. It's true; there are significant differences between processors and, because everything that goes on in your laptop will, at some point, interact with the processor, it's one of the most important components. But, really, because simple surfing won't even tax the limits of a low-end Intel® Celeron®, let alone a high-end Intel® Core™ 2 Duo, the average Internet surfer might never notice the difference.
That doesn't mean there's no reason to concern yourself about which processor you spec for your new laptop. It just means that surfing the net and checking email aren't exactly processor intensive activities. The processor's capabilities become increasingly important as you add complexity to the jobs (or games, as the case may be) you want your laptop to handle. Running simple program applications won't, for example, over-burden most processors but running several programs at once could cause a slowdown if your CPU's not up to snuff. And running very complex programs might even require a fast (read: expensive) CPU.
Here's a brief and basic overview of the available CPU choices you have as you begin your quest for the perfectly balanced laptop:
Budget Processors
Included in the list of budget processors are the following:
- Intel® Celeron®: There are several Celeron processors and, if this is your processor of choice you might want to look most closely at the Celeron® M because of the mobile optimized architecture and low-power enhancements.
- Mobile AMD Sempron™: The AMD PowerNow!™ technology seems to be more efficient than comparable Celeron® power-saving features so, if you plan on relying heavily on battery power, the Mobile AMD Sempron™ might be a good choice for you.
- Intel® Core™ Solo: "The Intel Core Solo processor is the next generation mobile processor for power-optimized mobile processing. It is enhanced to handle today's demanding software applications—such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching programs." You can also get the Core Solo in a Centrino® bundle; better performance equals, you guessed it, higher prices.
Low-cost processors will run most program applications and perform most Internet related activities but lack the speed and power to adequately handle heavy multi-tasking or complex applications.
Mainstream Processors
You can expect that mainstream processors will perform all the tasks that a budget processor will; and then some. For example: one Internet related activity that a budget processor is capable of handling, but can be better handled by a Mainstream Processor, is VoIP. Examples of Mainstream Processors include the following:
- Intel® Pentium® M: Available in speeds ranging from 1.50 to 2.26 GHz, when using normal voltage, 1.30 to 1.60 GHz in a low voltage configuration, and 1 to 1.30 GHz when using the ultra-low voltage setting. When combined with the Intel 915 Express Chipset Family and the Intel PRO/Wireless Network Connection the Pentium M is a key component of Centrino Technology.
- Mobil Intel® Pentium® 4: Boasting higher performance, available in clock-speeds ranging from 2.80 to 3.46 GHz, but fewer battery saving options than Pentium M processors.
- AMD Athlon™ 64: Available in both Mobile and Desktop Replacement models the Athlon™ 64, designed to compete with the Mobile Pentium 4, family is well worth a second look when shopping for a laptop processor.
- AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile: Designed especially for thin and light laptops the Turion 64 compares admirably to the Pentium M.
- Intel® Core™ Duo: Higher performance and better battery life are two good reasons to shop for a laptop equipped with a Core™ Duo processor. The ability to more easily and efficiently run multiple program applications, especially background programs like anti-virus and anti-spyware applications, without experiencing a general slow-down is one of the key advantages to dual-core technology.
Most Intel processor families are further broken down by model number; meaning, for example, that not all Core™ Duo processors are created equal. Some models are faster or otherwise more efficient than others and, because of that, you might find, for instance, Core™ Duo processors offered in both the mainstream and premium categories; but with different model numbers.
Premium Processors
Way too many moons ago, when I got started in racing, the advice veteran drivers most often offered was: "Speed costs money, kid. How fast do you wanna go?" Since I was working for peanuts at a custom van shop, it was a depressing thing to hear; but it was also true and, not surprisingly, applies equally to CPUs. The fastest processors are also the most expensive:
- Intel® Core™ Duo Processor: Model numbers T2700, T2600 or T2500 might be found offered as options for inclusion within a premium laptop; especially a thin-and-light or ultra-portable.
- AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor: AMD's answer to the Intel's Core™2 technology but, for now, it seems to fall somewhat short.
- Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor: The Intel web site claims the Core™2 Duo has "capabilities (that) provide twice the multitasking performance while using 28 percent less power...you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility." If you need maximum performance from your laptop then this is the processor for you.
The ability to split a particular task between cores is the reason that multi-core technology is so successful at both increasing processing speed (even without increasing clock-speed) and increasing battery life. But don't expect the technology to stop at dual cores; quad cores are due from both Intel and AMD by mid-2007. According to Intel, as a matter of fact, the limitations of software is about the only barrier to cores numbering in the thousands!
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