OT: Choosing a new laptop

[Simon Verona]

I know I'm very off topic, but I thought I would ask the question here as
I'm sure that there is plenty of relevant advice..

I'm about to purchase a new laptop, and am very unsure of the specification
to buy.

I'm a vb.net developer, writing applications using a non-sql database
(called jbase -www.jbase.com). I also use email (outlook) and office
applications - often with many different apps open at the same time.

Currently I use an HP laptop with an Intel P4 3.06ghz processor, 1gb ram,
40gb disk etc...

It is probably time to upgrade this, as it's starting to fall apart (I mean
literally, I tend to have a habit if dropping my laptop!!)...

I'm confused as to what processor/memory/motherboard combination to replace
my current machine with... Intel seem to confuse me nowadays by having
several different ranges of processors which don't seem easy to compare -
though they seem to be pushing the Pentium-M processors which I seem to find
it difficult to compare with my current processor for comparison. Also AMD
processors seem very strong, seem to have a faster bus speed etc...

So.,..the question is, what combination would be best for me? Go for a P4,
one of the Pentium-M chips, or an AMD processor (in which case which
one?)... What about memory??? Does the actual motherboard matter???
Perhaps there are changes on the horizon at Intel/AMD which may mean I could
be better off waiting a few months??? Any suggestions as to which PC
manufacturer I should use (I'm based in the UK)

Anybody got any suggestions/advice.??

Many thanks in advance to anybody who can help.

regards
Simon

 

[Charles Law]

Hi Simon

About nine months ago a bought a Dell Inspiron 9100, 3.0GHz Intel P4 with
HT, 512Mb RAM, 60Gb hard disk. I paid an extra £10 to get 11a wireless, so
that it did not suffer from interference from my DECT phone.

If you are normally near a mains point, then you probably don't care too
much about battery life, and the desktop P4 is quite thirsty. The M
(Centrino) processor is designed to improve battery life.

I am very happy with my purchase. It is a little on the heavy side, and the
psu is like a house brick, but I have a nice leather case for £40 and it is
rarely a trial to carry it places.

The screen is a 17" widescreen so I can get lots on it, which is great for
the VS IDE. I even prefer it to my 21" Sony desktop for some things.

The processor and memory help it to fly along. I use similar things to you
and it runs faster than my desktop with the same spec.

Because you say you want to use it for development I would suggest going for
the full-blown processor and not a mobile version. I've bought Dells for
several years now and always been happy. I recommend them to family and
friends and they have had similarly good experiences of service and
reliability.

HTH

Charles

 

[Paul]

The newer Intel architecture ("M") is very good. I've had reports from
clients that these newer laptops simply "fly" when running DotNet compared
to the older ones. Intel's newer regular chips are or will be based on the
"M" design which is supposed to increase the processing efficiency per clock
cycle, yada yada yada.

Don't go with AMD for laptops. They are much cheaper, but in this case it's
for a reason - they are significantly slower.

Check this info for yourself at HardOCP (my rememberings may be dated), a
site I consider essential to referece before buying any new computer
hardware.

Keep your eyes on the new technologies coming out soon, too - the dual dual
core processors look sweet.

Paul

 

[Simon Verona]

Charles,

Thanks for your input...

I think that your comments of P4 v Pentium-M processor backup my
suspicions.. My laptop *never* runs on batteries, so a low-power usage
processor is no benefit to me whatsoever...

Out of interest, unless I'm missing something - all of the laptops Dell make
today use a Centrino/Pentium-M processor (I think "Centrino" is a confusing
marketing term used by Intel to refer to a motherboard that has on-board
wireless though I could be wrong!!).

I will be interested then if anybody has some real world comparisons between
AMD and Intel ...

Regards
Simon

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

Currently I use an HP laptop with an Intel P4 3.06ghz processor, 1gb ram,
40gb disk etc...

It is probably time to upgrade this, as it's starting to fall apart (I
mean literally, I tend to have a habit if dropping my laptop!!)...

That's a joke, isn't it?

 

[Simon Verona]

erm, not really... I tend to batter my laptops something rotton - they get
bounced about in the back of cars, dropped plus I'm real heavy handed!

Regards
Simon

 

[Charles Law]

Simon

I think you could be right about Dell and only offering Centrino laptops. I
don't think they sell the 9100 anymore, and the 9200 is based on a mobile
processor. This is unfortunate as I don't imagine we are alone in wanting a
portable desktop replacement. You are also right about the Centrino and
wireless thing.

Charles

 

[Mythran]

erm, not really... I tend to batter my laptops something rotton - they get
bounced about in the back of cars, dropped plus I'm real heavy handed!

Regards
Simon

That's a joke, isn't it?

Hrm, since it is "falling apart", wanna mail it to me once you finished your
new purchase?

lol, I just bought a Dell XPS Gen 2 laptop, for development and gaming. It
is sweet! 256MB Video, 1GB RAM, Centrino Processesor...the works... minus
DVD Burner

Anywho, I agree with the other posts that the dell laptops are very
good...developing or gaming

Mythran

 

[mikeh]

I'll agree with Charles that the Dell 9100 is a very good laptop for
developing. I'm developing in with VS.NET 2003 and have a SQL Server
running. Everything runs nice and smooth.

I have noticed that the battery becomes dislodged easily. I used to carry
the laptop in the trunk of my car (since then I keep it on the passenger
seat) and when I would get to where I was going I would boot up and notice
that the battery would not be charging (ran it off of AC...but always keep
an eye on the battery). I'd have to flip it over and re-set the battery.

The newer laptops from Dell have gone the way of the Centrino, but you can
always try to get a refurbished 9100 through Dell if you don't want to
switch to the Centrino. Although I do hear the Centrino processor runs very
nice.

 

[Ken Tucker [MVP]]

Hi,

He should test laptops for consumer reports.

Ken
--------------------

Currently I use an HP laptop with an Intel P4 3.06ghz processor, 1gb ram,
40gb disk etc...

It is probably time to upgrade this, as it's starting to fall apart (I
mean literally, I tend to have a habit if dropping my laptop!!)...

That's a joke, isn't it?

 

[Simon Verona]

So, am I hearing that I shouldn't be concerned about the Pentium-M (I
believe that the word "Centrino" refers to an intel processor mounted on a
motherboard containing a wireless nic so I'll avoid the word when talking
about the processor)?

So, I understand that the Pentium-M processor cannot be compared clock speed
for clock speed with a normal P4. Also, looking at Intels web site, you
can't compare the model numbers either across the arrange.

Is is fair to say that the high end Pentium-M (2.16ghz?) is comparable or
better than the 3.4ghz P4? I know that in real world terms bus speed and
cache are also important - anybody care to add some comment.

Nobody has mentioned AMD in this discussion. Is the Athlon XP a runner in
comparison to the high end Intels?

Once I get to the bottom of understanding the processor/motherboard
combination then I think I'm almost there!!

Many thanks for comment so far, and thanks in advance for anybody else who
cares to comment.

Regards
Simon

 

[Simon Verona]

Ken

I'm one of those sad "jinxed" people who really shouldn't be allowed around
PC's. I can break a computer just by going within 5 feet!!

I remember a customers £10K server that blew up (the power supply literally
went up in smoke!) as I walked towards it.

As far as my own pc goes - it's not just hardware that goes - I can wreck
software too! My PC is well overdue for a reload (which takes me over 3
days and is another reason why I might be buying a new laptop now).... At
the moment, my mouse does very strange things - for example if I try to
select text I click the mouse button and start dragging but instead of the
selection stopping when I release the mouse it carries on until such time as
I click the mouse button again! This started last week!! Microsoft Word
does some very strange things on me! And as for Windows - it's not been
the same since SP2 was loaded on...

Not good for someone who works with computers for a living!!!

Regards
Simon

 

[Nicolas Noakes]

Pentium-M (Centrino chipset) is much better than a traditional P4 in a
laptop. I runs cool, instead of HOT, and if you do need to use it on
batteries ever, expect 1.5 to 2 times as long before you need to plug it
in.

And P-M 1.6Ghz will get as much done as a P4 2.8GHz.

Nicolas

 

[Cor Ligthert]

Simon,

Can I plug my battery loader on you, you should be full of uncontrolled
energy?

))

Cor

 

[Steve]

So, am I hearing that I shouldn't be concerned about the Pentium-M (I
believe that the word "Centrino" refers to an intel processor mounted on a
motherboard containing a wireless nic so I'll avoid the word when talking
about the processor)?

So, I understand that the Pentium-M processor cannot be compared clock
speed for clock speed with a normal P4. Also, looking at Intels web
site, you can't compare the model numbers either across the arrange.

Is is fair to say that the high end Pentium-M (2.16ghz?) is comparable or
better than the 3.4ghz P4? I know that in real world terms bus speed and
cache are also important - anybody care to add some comment.

Hi Simon,

I have an HP/compaq Centrino 1.6GHz laptop with 1GB ram
which I use for my VB work.

Speedwise it feels pretty much the same to use as my P4 2.8 desktop
which I used to use. I have MSDE and IIS installed on here and it all runs
great. Queries in MSDE are just a quick as they are on my desktop.

The screen is a 1680x1050 widescreen which is brilliant for the VS IDE.
You can have decent sized toolbox/class windows down the left/right
and still have a great big code window in the middle. Whatever brand
you're considering I'd definitely recommend looking at a WS model.

Steve

 

[Simon Verona]

Plug away!

Regards
Simon