Tip
Understanding Laptop Processor Choices
If you're in the market for a laptop, you know how confusing it can be to sort through all of the options. One of the most difficult to understand, yet most critical to your decision, is the type of processor, or CPU (central processing unit), the laptop uses. Buy one that's not powerful enough, and your laptop will run like molasses in winter. Get one that's more than you need, and you're throwing money away.
Consult the following chart to determine which processor is a good match for your needs. Keep in mind that for each specific type of processor (e.g., Pentium or Athalon), the higher the speed (rated in gigahertz, or GHz), the faster the processor. If you plan to do heavy video editing or gaming, don't skimp on the processor—more power is always better.
| Netbook | Entry Level | Mainstream | High End | |
| Price Range (for laptops) | Under $400 | $400 - $550 | $550 - $800 | $800 plus |
| Uses | email, word processing, Web browsing | Simple photo editing, email, word processing, Web browsing | Most programs, including photo editing and some games | All programs, including video editing and games. |
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Intel Processors |
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AMD Processors |
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Comments
From Michelle on January 30, 2010 :: 2:33 am
Hi, I wanted to know what does the “P7450” after the words Intel Core 2 Duo Processor mean? And my computer has that on the large sticker that also contains the info for the memory etc, but it also has a small sticker that is the one in the $500-$800 column above “Intel Centrino2 inside”. Why is it telling me that the computer has the core 2 duo and also the centrino 2? Are they the same?
From Suzanne Kantra on February 01, 2010 :: 2:45 pm
Hi Michelle,
Core 2 Duo is the family of processors and the “P7450” after the Core 2 Duo is the model number. So the “P7450” specifies things like how fast the processor runs (in this case 2.13 GHz).
The Centrino2 refers to the platform, a combination of chips and capabilities you’ll find in every Centrino2 computer. The Centrino2 platform includes the processor (the Core 2 Duo P7450) and the Wi-Fi chip, among other things.
From Glen Coleman on February 02, 2010 :: 5:02 pm
Hi,
I wanted to get a laptop for my wife. She does a lot of photo editing and I am not sure if the AMD Turion II Ultra M620 in the HP dv7-3160us is going to be fast enough. Is getting an Intel Core Duo P8700 in a Sony Vaio a better processor for photo editing? Both are 2.53 GHz.
Also is a ATI Mobitity Radeon HD 4650 (in the HP)going to be fast enough? Or do I need to look for a laptop with an NVidia GeForce graphics card (like a GT 220)?
Is one better at photo editing?
Glen
From Suzanne Kantra on February 03, 2010 :: 3:54 pm
Hi Glen,
The HP system should be fine. The processors and the graphics cards you mention are fairly comparable, if you look at the benchmarks. The Intel has a larger level 2 cache (3MB vs. 2MB), which should make it a little faster moving large files around. However that really comes into play more for video editing than photo editing.
Hope your wife enjoys her new computer!