What kind of CPU do you look for in a laptop?

[Insert_Nickname]

(Basically any intel chip released recently, even the cheapest pentium. Only a few celerons are too slow.)

Could we please stop the Celeron-bashing?. I have a G465 (single-core with HT @ 1.9GHz) and it runs everything just fine. Including flash...

(Hint; its not in my main system...)

 

[Makaveli]

I take it most of you are at the pre-professional employment stage of your respective career paths?

Once you get into the professional workforce I think you will find the laptop to be an indispensable tool in effecting your job.

Agreed.

I'm using a 2010 Sony Vaio Z laptop.

That has 128GB Raid 0 SSD setup and about 3lbs.

Think first gen ultra book dual core arrandale cpu with hypertheading.

I carry this to work back and forth everyday so the weight was very important.

As well as the 1600x900 display 13.3' I wouldn't have settled for anything less.

I had one of my friends asking me why I didn't buy something alittle more powerful to play some games on and I told him I didn't buy this play games it for work.

It the switchable model with intel graphics and a NV 330M gpu.

 

[Barfo]

I take it most of you are at the pre-professional employment stage of your respective career paths?

Once you get into the professional workforce I think you will find the laptop to be an indispensable tool in effecting your job.

But then you care even less about specs because your company issues you one and if you need an upgrade or anything else you just take it to the IT department

 

[Makaveli]

But then you care even less about specs because your company issues you one and if you need an upgrade or anything else you just take it to the IT department

Disagree my laptop I paid for myself.

I wouldn't allow them to give me some POS dell laptop with a low res and OS on a Hard drive.

And I work in the IT department so I know better.

lol its our users that get stuck with the shit machines damn department budgets.

 

[MentalIlness]

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptop/lenovo-ideapad-z580.aspx

Just purchases this model from a member here for my daughter, its an awesome laptop.

 

[Idontcare]

Disagree my laptop I paid for myself.

I wouldn't allow them to give me some POS dell laptop with a low res and OS on a Hard drive.

And I work in the IT department so I know better.

lol its our users that get stuck with the shit machines damn department budgets.

Wow, you too!? Even at TI, TI of all places!, I had to buy my own laptop in 2002 because only managers were allowed to have laptops. All engineers had to have desktops, but we spent our day in the fab running tests or in meetings talking about the results of the tests.

Even in 2002 the majority of engineers were still taking data down by hand, writing it into a fab notebook. Then later they'd get back to their cubicle and have to type all the data into their desktop computers. How ridiculously 20th century D:

So I forked out $2k to buy my own X200 laptop, just to save myself the time of having to handwrite all the data. What a difference in productivity.

It wasn't until 2005 that management decided it made sense to empower their $100k engineers with a $1k laptop to make better use of their time/salary.

 

[Shephard]

ok but I want to know more about the actual CPUs guys.

So single core will not be able to do 1080p smooth even with a laptop GPU.

So dual core is a must, does the GHZ matter if it is integrated?

thanks

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm debating over a "2013 personal [computing and parts] budget" for myself. I put off buying a laptop for too long, on the logic that, since retired -- I don't "go anywhere" such that I really "need" a computer in transit. Truth be told -- I may even have built a "prototype" laptop in 1984, using grandma's overnite case -- a small samsonite suitcase. Well -- it was considerably smaller than a transportable PC, and had a rechargeable battery system. Enough of that.

Now I see a confusing array of products: smartphones, tablets and so on. I'm afraid of "getting behind." Somehow, I think a laptop will still "leave me there," since it's essentially a portable desktop with a battery.

I've also been tipped off to the fact of several resellers specializing in used laptops, the need for a 9-cell battery, and so on.

 

[Barfo]

Disagree my laptop I paid for myself.

I wouldn't allow them to give me some POS dell laptop with a low res and OS on a Hard drive.

And I work in the IT department so I know better.

lol its our users that get stuck with the shit machines damn department budgets.

We get Core i7 Sandybridge Latitudes, not bad at all imo, they don't have SSDs but the HD gets the work done reasonably fast.

 

[2is]

ok but I want to know more about the actual CPUs guys.

So single core will not be able to do 1080p smooth even with a laptop GPU.

So dual core is a must, does the GHZ matter if it is integrated?

thanks

A modern single core probably could but why would anyone go with a single core when the cost difference between single and dual core is negligible?

What it boils down to is this... For your uses, any CPU will work.

 

[Makaveli]

We get Core i7 Sandybridge Latitudes, not bad at all imo, they don't have SSDs but the HD gets the work done reasonably fast.

The newer Gen2 and Gen3 i5/i7 laptops are nice.

There was not as many good options available when I was looking in 2010 still don't like the low res screens out now.

For me however a SSD is must and i would be ripping that HD out of that work laptop taking an image of it and loading on the SSD

If they use some kinda enterprise encryption on the disc then things get alittle trickier if your not doing it with IT approval.

But still worth it for the speed difference.

 

[Shephard]

A modern single core probably could but why would anyone go with a single core when the cost difference between single and dual core is negligible?

What it boils down to is this... For your uses, any CPU will work.

well this one can't. It's from February 2011, my nephew showed me the receipt.

It could have been a bit older because the laptop has no HDMI and that is pretty much standard on any laptop now. But it's from after 2009 because it has Windows 7.

1080p has been around since then so obviously this single core sucks!

Does he want to go with AMD dual core or Intel duel core if he gets a new laptop?

 

[2is]

AMD will have the better IGP intel will have the better CPU. I don't game on laptops so for me a better CPU is more important and I'd go intel. Ymmv

 

[frozentundra123456]

We get Core i7 Sandybridge Latitudes, not bad at all imo, they don't have SSDs but the HD gets the work done reasonably fast.

I work for a major university, and I got a Dell Latitude i5 with a very nice 1080p matte display. I am very happy with it.

I guess I dont see the necessity of a SSD. It may be faster, but the one I got has a HDD (7200 rpm I think), and it seems really fast. Almost any program opens in a few seconds, so that is good enough to me.

 

[Zodiark1593]

I am not a laptop user and don't think I ever will be. I like sitting in my comfy chair with my big screen and the power of a desktop. Plus I am a gamer and a desktop will always be superior!

I am interested though in what you look for in a CPU laptop at certain price ranges. Not gaming laptops, just your average laptop between $300-$700.

Ok for example my nephew has a laptop with an AMD cpu. It's a single core 1.3ghz I believe. The computer is not old though... Maybe 2009. It has Windows 7 and 3gb ram. The laptop goes to 100% CPU usage when watching a Youtube video. It chugs at 1080p, but can do 720p if you let the whole video load before playing. The laptop has a radeon 6300 series gpu.

Ok another example is a laptop say, an Intel Quad Core, but it's only a 1.8ghz processor. Would it better than the single core for youtube?

I mean the biggest thing with CPU is architecture right? But anything in the 1ghz range just seems clunky. I guess they do it for lower power consumption, but I tell you the battery on that laptop is average.

So is the ghz to blame, the single core, the gpu, or what?

Depends on what I'm going to use my laptop for. What works for one person may not sit well with another. For example, many gamers use a desktop for gaming, and a cheap lappy for school stuff. I myself don't like having multiple systems around, so a powerful gaming lappy makes more sense for me due to my differing preferences. Laptops are not a one-size-fits-all.

There isn't much that differentiates a desktop cpu from a mobile gpu nowadays. It's all binning I believe. A desktop CPU will run at a given clockspeed with x number of volts, while a mobile cpu will run at the same clockspeed at less volts. Not much to it. Makes me wonder how far a ULV binned CPU will push when fed the same voltage as desktop CPUs.

Anyway, I've looked at SSDs as an option, but I chew through storage just too fast to make an SSD worthwhile. Having external HDDs to make up the bulk of my storage, in my opinion, counters the point of a laptop even more so than a heavy gaming laptop. Currently sitting on 2 TBs worth of storage in my current laptop between a pair of drives, and there have been times where I've nearly filled them both!!!

 

[Makaveli]

Anyway, I've looked at SSDs as an option, but I chew through storage just too fast to make an SSD worthwhile. Having external HDDs to make up the bulk of my storage, in my opinion, counters the point of a laptop even more so than a heavy gaming laptop. Currently sitting on 2 TBs worth of storage in my current laptop between a pair of drives, and there have been times where I've nearly filled them both!!!

That's why I have one of these in my laptop bag.

WD My Passport 1TB its light and does'nt add too much extra weight.

This makes more sense to me than carrying around a gaming laptop which is heavier than both. And pales in comparsion to actually gaming on a full desktop computer. I've yet to play on a gaming laptop where I don't have to turn settings down.

Beside application launch speed Sleep and resume is the biggest reason for the SSD and lower power consumption.

Not to mention I know if it gets knocked around abit while running I don't have to worry about a hard drive head crash!

Depends on what I'm going to use my laptop for. What works for one person may not sit well with another. For example, many gamers use a desktop for gaming, and a cheap lappy for school stuff. I myself don't like having multiple systems around, so a powerful gaming lappy makes more sense for me due to my differing preferences. Laptops are not a one-size-fits-all.

Good point but I would choose a full loaded desktop if I had to go the route of not having multiple systems. It offers the most bang for buck, flexibility and leaves you with options to upgrade.

But to each his own!

 

[SickBeast]

I recently bought a laptop and I went with a 2nd gen i3. Why? The laptop was $350. I could have had an A6 for the same price, but I chose Intel for the superior CPU performance. Yes, AMD has better GPUs built in, but you're still getting a very low end gaming solution, and then you're also stuck with really poor CPU performance.

There is very little difference between i3 and i5 performance in a laptop. It's not like the desktops where the i5s are quad cores. The only quad core Intel chips are the i7s with "Q" in their name.

Really I think that the best deal right now is what I got or else an Ivy Bridge i3 for the HD 4000 graphics. AMD needs to lower their prices. If an AMD laptop had been cheaper I would have gone for one.

Also, wait a week for the Black Friday deals if you can.

 

[Zodiark1593]

That's why I have one of these in my laptop bag.

Not to mention I know if it gets knocked around abit while running I don't have to worry about a hard drive head crash!


But to each his own!

Very true about the durability thing. I make a lot of videos, and one thing that worries me is bumping the thing around too much and losing my work. I could go with a single SSD and a 1 TB HDD, but a marathon Fraps run will still chew through the one HDD like a fat kid in a candy shop. I don't think USB 2.0 transfer speed will be an issue if I render the finished video directly to an external drive though. Just gotta not be lazy.

For me personally, the mobility aspect of a laptop isn't the weight alone, but doing away with extra clutter. I can deal with a heavy laptop, but setting up and putting away external devices and such costs time (and is quite annoying when I need the bathroom), and there's also the chance of actually leaving behind something if I'm in a hurry. For these reasons, my next lappy certainly won't be one that relies on a single SSD for internal storage.

Heck, I even modified my case to hold the power adapter while it's in use, and easily wind the cables back inside. Adds more weight, sure, but again, less clutter to deal with. And with modern graphics switching, battery life, even on fatty gaming laptops don't have to suck (thank god).

Agreed, to each his own. One thing I did like doing was building desktops for my friends. There are reasons I went for a laptop though, and for me, the pros outweigh the cons. Definitely not the story for everyone, but that's what options are for. One thing that does make me facepalm though is someone buying a gaming laptop, and then confining it to the desk for it's whole life. Waste of mobility, and money.

 

[Makaveli]

Thanks for the reply with the details you added in this post I can clearly see why you choose the route you did and it makes sense in your setup.

And to add to your last point I think the reason most gaming laptops become stationary is they are just to heavy to be carrying around comfortably.

My laptop is 3lbs and I find it very easy to carry around the whole day. I find once you get into the 5-6lbs range or higher it becomes a real pain in the butt.

Also would you consider a difference between a gaming laptop and a desktop replacement laptop or are they one in the same?

In the past one would automatically assuming gaming laptop meant desktop replacement.

 

[Zodiark1593]

Thanks for the reply with the details you added in this post I can clearly see why you choose the route you did and it makes sense in your setup.

And to add to your last point I think the reason most gaming laptops become stationary is they are just to heavy to be carrying around comfortably.

My laptop is 3lbs and I find it very easy to carry around the whole day. I find once you get into the 5-6lbs range or higher it becomes a real pain in the butt.

Also would you consider a difference between a gaming laptop and a desktop replacement laptop or are they one in the same?

In the past one would automatically assuming gaming laptop meant desktop replacement.

I never really had an issue with the extra weight, though it's more something that takes time to get used to. I've gotten to the point where I almost don't think about the weight, even with all the college books to haul around too. I do hike a fair bit too, so it's not like weight is anything new.

I don't think any laptop can truly be called a desktop replacement due to limits in power, thermals and modularity. However, there are definetly laptops that are not meant to be a road-warrior. Where I draw the line for myself is in battery life, or lack thereof. Basically, my system needs to be able to operate away from a plug outlet for a few hours. There are some systems out there that barely last an hour under internet surfing, and no way to shut off the GPU(s). Basically, those mobile workstations that use the 6 core processor, or dual GPU Clevo systems that lack a graphics mux switch. Performance-wise, they're top notch, but they compromise a key advantage of a laptop, being able to perform basic tasks under battery for a good period of time.

Heck, even on my current system, I can still make edits to any video anywhere I am and still get a couple hours on battery. Rendering, of course, must wait.

 

[Shephard]

I recently bought a laptop and I went with a 2nd gen i3. Why? The laptop was $350. I could have had an A6 for the same price, but I chose Intel for the superior CPU performance. Yes, AMD has better GPUs built in, but you're still getting a very low end gaming solution, and then you're also stuck with really poor CPU performance.

There is very little difference between i3 and i5 performance in a laptop. It's not like the desktops where the i5s are quad cores. The only quad core Intel chips are the i7s with "Q" in their name.

Really I think that the best deal right now is what I got or else an Ivy Bridge i3 for the HD 4000 graphics. AMD needs to lower their prices. If an AMD laptop had been cheaper I would have gone for one.

Also, wait a week for the Black Friday deals if you can.

no there is quad core i5 on laptop my friend has one. It's from ASUS it was $600 laptop.

 

[sabahm]

Battery timings, RAM,Processor,Version and HD space. Plus point would be screen

 

[aigomorla]

Battery.... Display....

I dont game on a lappy.. i just use it for simple stuff.
However there are times when i need something more powerful then a andriod tablet.

If i want to do something intensive, i'll just walk over to my desktop which is 4.3ghz hexcore with 12 working threads.

things like ram / hdd... i tend to swap them out myself.
Ive been servicing and opening my own laptops since almost like forever. I can even do a LCD panel replacement if need be.
But i dont think i would ever may a vendor factory price on hdd or ram as those are typically easy as hell to upgrade,
unless they had a special on it, and it was cheaper to option, then to DYO upgrades.

 

[Danimal1209]

For a general use laptop. Look for an i3 with 4+ gigs of ram. These can usually be had for between $400 and $450. If you want to make it a little snappier, purchase an SSD and toss it in there. You don't need to spend any more than that unless you have very specific tasks in mind.

 

[Puppies04]

For a general use laptop. Look for an i3 with 4+ gigs of ram. These can usually be had for between $400 and $450. If you want to make it a little snappier, purchase an SSD and toss it in there. You don't need to spend any more than that unless you have very specific tasks in mind.

This.

Although I wouldn't bother looking for any more than 4GB of RAM unless you have a very specific task in mind that you know will use it. You see laptops with frankly underpowered CPUs being offered by vendors with 8GB of RAM that is never going to get used and will just sit there using power.

In a scenarion where laptop A has a slower CPU and 6gb or ram and Laptop B has a faster CPU and 4gb of RAM I would always go for laptop B.

In my personal experience I sometimes regret stumping up the extra money for the "proper quad with HT" in my XPS17 although the next step down was a dual core with HT which I felt could have been underpowered. This 740QM can kick out some serious heat while gaming though which isn't ideal.