need help choosing a computer!

[naisatoh]

So I'm on the market for a new computer, and I need some help with some of the specifications. I know I want a notebook PC with a 12 - 13 inch screen. I know I want to spend around 1600 dollars, but no more than 2000. So this is what I need help with:

What's the deal with the processors? What's the difference between the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor (seen in Sony VAIO's) and AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core (seen in HPs)? Do I need anything higher than 2.0 GHz or is 1.66 sufficient?

I'll be using my computer mainly for work (just word processing), music, movies, photoshopping, and flash. I don't really play any video games, but I've played Warcraft III on occasion. Nothing big.

Any help from your expertise or personal experience would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[asmdeus]

Intel C2D is much better than the amd x2.

This should be a good selection to start with Newegg.com - Buy Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

[naisatoh]

Thanks so much for the info? Can anyone tell me anything about 1.66 compared to a 2.0? For my needs, is a 1.66 sufficient?

[skoreanime]

The Intel Core 2 Duo is better in more ways then one. The main reason I'd choose over it then the Turion is because it doesn't need as much power, which is a big plus for notebooks. And 1.66Ghz Core 2 Duo is more then enough to fill your needs by the sound of it. WC III doesn't even need a dual-core to run perfectly fine. My friend had a 2.0Ghz Pentium M laptop 5 years ago and it ran WC III perfectly fine.

[naisatoh]

Thanks again for your input. In your expert opinions, what tasks would require a boost from the 1.66 to the 2.0? They're almost 200 dollars in difference!

[skoreanime]

Almost nothing really. That's why most people like to just go for the cheaper one. The people who dish out the cash for the more expensive processor do it because they can. Also people who know they'll be doing very intensive stuff on their laptop, like CAD or heavy programs like PCSX2 .

IMO, if WC III is the most intensive thing you're going to do on your laptop, I'd go for the cheaper CPU and put that money towards nice little accessories, like a new bag or something .

[Holic]

If I were to get a new PC it would have to have 2 GB ram minimum for Vista and to make it 'fairly' future proof.

If you can afford it then buy a DX10 card like 8800gts 320mb or wait till 8600 comes out,

It will save you money in the long run.

[dashboardy]

Originally Posted by naisatoh

So I'm on the market for a new computer, and I need some help with some of the specifications. I know I want a notebook PC with a 12 - 13 inch screen. I know I want to spend around 1600 dollars, but no more than 2000. So this is what I need help with:

What's the deal with the processors? What's the difference between the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor (seen in Sony VAIO's) and AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core (seen in HPs)? Do I need anything higher than 2.0 GHz or is 1.66 sufficient?

I'll be using my computer mainly for work (just word processing), music, movies, photoshopping, and flash. I don't really play any video games, but I've played Warcraft III on occasion. Nothing big.

Any help from your expertise or personal experience would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Any notebook you buy today, whether integrated video card or single core, will run WCIII very quickly. The Core 2 Duo's are better as they use less power (as skore mentioned) and have better performance.

Originally Posted by naisatoh

Thanks so much for the info? Can anyone tell me anything about 1.66 compared to a 2.0? For my needs, is a 1.66 sufficient?

not a whole lot. If you care, you might be able to encode the first 5 minutes of terminator III DVD 20 seconds faster. For general purpose, even gaming, the difference will be negligible. For photoshopping there'd be some difference, but 1.66 ghz core 2 duo is more than sufficient.

Originally Posted by skoreanime

The Intel Core 2 Duo is better in more ways then one. The main reason I'd choose over it then the Turion is because it doesn't need as much power, which is a big plus for notebooks. And 1.66Ghz Core 2 Duo is more then enough to fill your needs by the sound of it. WC III doesn't even need a dual-core to run perfectly fine. My friend had a 2.0Ghz Pentium M laptop 5 years ago and it ran WC III perfectly fine.

very sound reasoning, good advice. other than the fact that pentium M wasn't around 5 years ago

Originally Posted by xxxHolic

If I were to get a new PC it would have to have 2 GB ram minimum for Vista and to make it 'fairly' future proof.

If you can afford it then buy a DX10 card like 8800gts 320mb or wait till 8600 comes out,

It will save you money in the long run.

horrid advice. First, an 8800gts is a HIGH end video card, and not only that IT IS A DESKTOP CARD ONLY. I wouldn't really call that saving money at all - more like a waste of money if all you want to do is play warcraft. Maybe that's what YOU would do if you bought a new computer; your post seemed fairly random. you cannot put a desktop card into a laptop. also laptop cards cannot be upgraded, so even if it were a laptop video card, it likely wouldn't fit in any laptop except one specifically designed to fit in it.

I own a laptop with the following specifications:
Toshiba Satellite A10
2.2 GHz Celeron D
512 MB DDR RAM
Integrated GMA 32 MB 82852/82855 Graphics controller
40 GB hard drive.

You can't find a computer slower than this on the market today. But I can play Warcraft III with 1.21 patch very quickly (did last night) on this machine - that said, any machine you purchase today for any price will play warcraft III perfectly. no need for a high end video card. Also, Windows Vista is not great for gaming, and 2 GB RAM is not needed right now for gaming especially for laptops. 1GB should be just fine, especially if you play older games.

oh ya, and i think this belongs in hardware discussion.

[Holic]

sorry I didn't read th first post,
I just saw the title , and assume PC

My bad.

[Cid Highwind]

Originally Posted by asmdeus

Intel C2D is much better than the amd x2.

This should be a good selection to start with Newegg.com - Buy Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

Actually that's not true, they just offer a better overclock potential than AMD64x2, which is a non-issue in laptops. However, they do produce less heat and draw less power. But saying AMDx2 is not as fast as C2D is a bit of a too quick conclusion imho

Naisatoh: I recommended having 2gb of ram. 1GB will do for now, but if you want to upgrade to Vista, or if it will have Vista installed already, you won't regret the upgrade.

[naisatoh]

Thanks so much! Yeah I considered placing this in the hardware category, but it's such a broad topic. I really appreciate all your help.. it's been a long time since I posted on these boards and I am always impressed by how helpful and knowledgeable you are in answering questions.

I will definitely be getting the 2gb of ram. I do a lot of multitasking and have been caught working through a choppy computer on my current 1gb.

Also, I actually have played Warcraft III in years. I just mention it because it happens to be the last gave I ever played on a computer. I actually don't have much time to play computer games anymore, as working in the hospital has taken over my life (3rd year medical student).

I do plan on getting Vista with my new system, as new computers are being sold with the OS preinstalled. As long as it'll run photoshop or flash, as well as play my movies and music, I'm good to go. Will 1.66 GHz run Vista?

[ian209]

Originally Posted by asmdeus

Intel C2D is much better than the amd x2.

This should be a good selection to start with Newegg.com - Buy Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

not MUCH better. The performance diff isnt that big. If u're on a tight budget, don't want to overclock, and want a dual core, go for something like the AMD Athlon X2 3800+, 4200+, or 4600+. Those are all cheaper than the C2D E4300 and comes really close performance wise.

But if ure looking for a l33t computer, and are planning to overclock, get any C2D.

[naisatoh]

any other thoughts? please?

[mogster]

My bro has an IBM. It automatically stops the hard-drive when the PC has a shock.