Does XP Professional Take Advantage of Intel Core Duo?

[Guest]

I'm looking into getting a new laptop and it seems that the Intel Core Duo
chip is the rage. I've heard in the past that it doesn't really make sense to
have 2 processors unless you run software that takes advantage of or uses two
processors. What about XP - does it? I would mostly be using programs like
Office, Oxygen, DreamWeaver.

Thanks.

 

[Anando [MVP]]

Hello Stephanie,

Windows XP has been designed to use all the cores on a multi-core processor.
For specific applications, it depends on the developer if an application has
been designed to utilise more than one core when running on a multi-core
processor.

--
Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
Microsoft Certified Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org

Folder customizations
http://www.anando.org/folder

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm looking into getting a new laptop and it seems that the Intel
Core Duo chip is the rage. I've heard in the past that it doesn't
really make sense to have 2 processors unless you run software that
takes advantage of or uses two processors. What about XP - does it?
I would mostly be using programs like Office, Oxygen, DreamWeaver.

Yes - it considers it a multi-processor system.

However - if nothing else you have was designed to take advantage of such
things - the OS doing it will give you little advantage automagically. =)

 

[Kerry Brown]

Look for Core 2 Duo not Core Duo. They are very different.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm looking into getting a new laptop and it seems that the Intel
Core Duo chip is the rage. I've heard in the past that it doesn't
really make sense to have 2 processors unless you run software that
takes advantage of or uses two processors. What about XP - does it? I
would mostly be using programs like Office, Oxygen, DreamWeaver.

You seem to be mixing up two separate issues. First, the operating system
itself must support multiple processors. Second, to get any substantial
benefit, you need applications that support the multiple processors.

Although XP sill support it, the benefit you get from it will be very minor
unless you are also running applications that support it.

 

[Bruce Chastain]

I'm looking into getting a new laptop and it seems that the Intel Core Duo
chip is the rage. I've heard in the past that it doesn't really make sense
to
have 2 processors unless you run software that takes advantage of or uses
two
processors. What about XP - does it? I would mostly be using programs like
Office, Oxygen, DreamWeaver.

Just FYI. I believe you need XP Pro to support more than one core.

Bruce.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Just FYI. I believe you need XP Pro to support more than one core.

Bruce.

XP Home and Pro both support multi-core processors. XP Pro supports two
physical processors and both can be multi-core. XP Home supports one
physical processor which can be multi-core.

 

[Bruce Chastain]

XP Home and Pro both support multi-core processors. XP Pro supports two
physical processors and both can be multi-core. XP Home supports one
physical processor which can be multi-core.

Ok, thanks.

Bruce.