I want a fast computer

[Jorge Sanchez]

Assuming everything else is equal, what would better achieve this goal:

1) a computer with 1024MB of RAM and a Celeron M (1.60GHz) processor

or

2) a computer with 512MB of RAM and a Duo Core (1.66GHz) Processor

What other advantages does a Duo Core processor offer?

[Goodwinm]

Well man.
I can safely say
Get a Compaq Presario model computer.
I have the S4490UK. its 512mb DDR Ram and runs as fast as anything. And today for the price i paid back then u can get somethin awesome.
And a word of advice id say stear away from celerons. Ive had nothing but trouble with celeron processors.

but i spose it depends what ur gonna be using the comptuer for.

Below is what I have currently. Runs awesome! I paid £700 for it 2 or so years ago and still runs fast as anything.

http://uk.shopping.com/xPF-Compaq_Compaq_Presario_s4490_uk

Oh man sorry. i didnt rele answer your question.
Celerons I believe lack that punch thats reuquired to run heavy ass high pumped applications such as dekstop publishing, high graphic games, etc.
du core I would say is the better buy.

[WBBIRL]

Core Duo is a much more effiecent CPU then the Celeron M, at the loss of battery life.

The ram really dosen't play that big of a role unless your going to be multi tasking or heavy multi media applications.

The Core Duo and the 512 are the way I would go, thats just me.

Neither will be "fast". Your probably accustomed to having a moderately fast desktop, and to transfer that into a laptop your investment finanically doubles.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Actually I have a very slow laptop as it is. It's about 3 years old and barely runs. Another nice thing about the Core Duo is that it includes a CD/DVD-RW, as opposed to a CD-RW/DVD player.

So what you're saying is that the extra half gig of RAM won't make a noticeable difference? I'll use the computer primarily for wordprocessing, internet, and multimedia (music and movies). And I don't play games on my computer at all? And how much extra battery life can I expect to get with the Duo Core as opposed to the Celeron?

Other than battery life will there be any other advantage to the Core Duo over the Celeron for my simple needs?

Edit: I do also multi-task frequently, but nothing really intense.

[WBBIRL]

For that you might want to try asking over the the notebook review fourms.

For not gaming or running things like Studio 9 or doing alot of heavy work in Photo Shop CS 9 or something then 512MB is fine. Not to say you wouldnt notice a difference in 1024... but 512 will more then do the job.

The Core Duo is a much more powerfull CPU at equal clockspeeds, but at a cost. For that cost head on over to notebook review.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Just to be clear, the Duo Core will provide better or worse battery life?

[Goodwinm]

"So what you're saying is that the extra half gig of RAM won't make a noticeable difference?"

not unless your gonna be using loads of applications which are gonna be using a lot of memory up. Id say sitck with the 512mb and save some of your cash dude ;)

[Xand]

Get a MAC!

[Nosaj]

Owning a Celeron processor is like curling in the squat rack, don't be that guy.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Get a MAC!

I don't want to shell out that kind of do-lo for a computer that is going to be a piece of **** in two years.

[DarrenEff]

Owning a Celeron processor is like curling in the squat rack, don't be that guy.

HAHAHAHA best nerd/weightlifting joke _EVER_

With that being said, for a laptop that you are doing nothing (read: interweb, word, pr0n) you do not need a workhorse, especially duo core processors. I'm sure your laptop that is "3 years old" has more then enough capability to run perfect but you have it full of junk, and lots of processes turned on etc.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Owning a Celeron processor is like curling in the squat rack, don't be that guy.

I am already that guy. The computer I am typing this on has a celeron processor and I haven't had any issues with it.

[SpecialK]

Well man.
I can safely say
Get a Compaq Presario model computer.
I have the S4490UK. its 512mb DDR Ram and runs as fast as anything. And today for the price i paid back then u can get somethin awesome.
And a word of advice id say stear away from celerons. Ive had nothing but trouble with celeron processors.

but i spose it depends what ur gonna be using the comptuer for.

Below is what I have currently. Runs awesome! I paid £700 for it 2 or so years ago and still runs fast as anything.

http://uk.shopping.com/xPF-Compaq_Compaq_Presario_s4490_uk

Oh man sorry. i didnt rele answer your question.
Celerons I believe lack that punch thats reuquired to run heavy ass high pumped applications such as dekstop publishing, high graphic games, etc.
du core I would say is the better buy.

How exactly do you have "trouble" with a processor? It's not like they have any user-configurable options, unless you like to overclock them. Unless you just mean the performance was unacceptable for what you were doing.

[Jorge Sanchez]

HAHAHAHA best nerd/weightlifting joke _EVER_

With that being said, for a laptop that you are doing nothing (read: interweb, word, pr0n) you do not need a workhorse, especially duo core processors. I'm sure your laptop that is "3 years old" has more then enough capability to run perfect but you have it full of junk, and lots of processes turned on etc.

I'm sure that's true but I reformatted by harddrive and it still runs like ****. I don't have the time, inclination or knowledge to try any harder.

Combine that with the fact that my battery lasts for 2 minutes on a good day, and I think it is time for a new computer.

[Jorge Sanchez]

In case you still haven't figured it out by now, I know how to use a mouse, a keyboard and a monitor, that's about it.

All this computer talk is foreign to me so I was asking for help deciding what I need.

All I really want to know:
For my needs (word processing, internet, music, movies, pictures, etc.) what is my best option? Right now I'm leaning towards the celeron with 512MB of RAM. Opinions?

Edit: battery life is also a BIG factor.

[Nosaj]

I am already that guy. The computer I am typing this on has a celeron processor and I haven't had any issues with it.

Well, the following sounds like an "issue" to me...


Actually I have a very slow laptop as it is. It's about 3 years old and barely runs.

I'm not saying it's 100% because you own a Celeron, but it sure isin't helping anything.

I would advise against a Celeron processor in any future purchases. As for ram, 512 is sufficient for most applications other than video games/graphic editing. (i.e. photoshop) Laptop batteries last at MOST 1.5 years before they need to be replaced. If your laptop is 3 years old, then it makes sense that it doesn't last for more than 2 minutes.

[WBBIRL]

Those batterys die no matter if you use them or not (lithum ion anyhow) and you would need to get a new one (or two).

The Core Duo is a much better overall choice in the long run... celeron is your ford focus or dodge neon.... ment to be entry level and will do what it claims for a affordable price. In the computer world however, doing what it claims in this instance means slower then a sack of dog crap.

Celerons get easily outperformed by newer intels at the same clockspeeds EASILY. This opteron 165 toasted the living crap out of my 2.0ghz celery at 1.8ghz. Before you all harp the 165 is a dual core and the celery isnt.... none of those tests were in multi threaded apps (and if so affinity was set accordingly) and very little was running in the background.

Go Core Duo... and if your going to be using it heavily while away from a wall outlet splurge on the second batter or get a bigger first battery.

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

I don't want to shell out that kind of do-lo for a computer that is going to be a piece of **** in two years.That doesn't only apply to Macs. That applies to any computer. Any computer you buy now will basically be obsolete in 2 years...especially since you're going to be purchasing one that's not very fast to begin with. You can get an Intel Core Duo MacBook that's able to dual-boot OS X and Windows XP for about a thousand bucks...and even cheaper with the student discount. I hate Compaq with a passion so if you're going to go with a company, don't go with them (sorry GoodWinm). I'd recommend DELL over Compaq any day.

How much are you looking to spend?

[WBBIRL]

Does that 1000$ include liscenses to both MAX OS X and Windows XP or just MAC OS X ????

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

1. Mac's take a smaller market share resulting in less devious hackers = to better security?It's built on a Unix core which makes it more secure. Macs still get viruses and hackers, despite what the commercials say. Macs are good for a great many things. Just because their commercials are stupid doesn't make them "gay". They serve their purpose just like Windows PCs serve their purpose.



3. Does that 1000$ include liscenses to both MAX OS X and Windows XP or just MAC OS X ????That only includes a license for OS X. You need to have your own copy of Windows XP. However, the software to dual-boot Windows XP is free. Apple provides all the drivers for the particular Mac model so that Windows XP will work flawlessly on Apple hardware (it does it all automatically and burns a disc with the appropriate drivers). And now the latest version of Boot Camp (the software that lets you dual boot) supports the iSight.

I still like building my own PCs, though. It's gratifying.

[Jorge Sanchez]

That doesn't only apply to Macs. That applies to any computer. Any computer you buy now will basically be obsolete in 2 years...especially since you're going to be purchasing one that's not very fast to begin with. You can get an Intel Core Duo MacBook that's able to dual-boot OS X and Windows XP for about a thousand bucks...and even cheaper with the student discount. I hate Compaq with a passion so if you're going to go with a company, don't go with them (sorry GoodWinm). I'd recommend DELL over Compaq any day.

How much are you looking to spend?

I wasn't dumping on Macs in particular, I just don't want to spend that much on ANY computer. Mac laptops do not come as cheap PCs, that's all I was saying. I do like the Macs, I just don't want to spend that much on the computer and then on all of the additional software.

I'm looking to spend under a grand Canadian, and more like $800 before tax so I'm not looking for much beyond an entry level laptop -- and I don't really need anything more for my purposes.

[Goodwinm]

How exactly do you have "trouble" with a processor? It's not like they have any user-configurable options, unless you like to overclock them. Unless you just mean the performance was unacceptable for what you were doing.
yer thats what i mean man. The performance was terrible for what I was doing.
Using powerful software and it couldnt handle it. And in the end the computer exploded.

[Nik00117]

OK first off Core Duo is a wicked lil CPU the pipelines inside of the CPU are extermely short=cool temps. As well as you can get the 1.637 GHz core duo to 3 GHz (In a desktop that is)

Second 512 is jsut fine, ram is easly upgradedable in laptops i've done it several times in the past its merely a plug in type job.

Thirdly DO NOT BUY A COMPAQ! Get a dell or somthing but not a comcrap grr, I hate those things and no HP either I work on comcraps and Hps a lot at my job (repairing them) and god I can tell you me and my boss hhave a billion jokes for comcraps and HPs.

[Goodwinm]

^^ Wow you must have some seriousley screwy Compaqs man. Ive never had a problem with mine. apart from the usual virus crap. (my own fault..lol)

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

I'm talking about the quality of Compaq (or lack thereof) when I was talking about my distaste towards them. They are horrible computers.

[Nosaj]

My only issue with Compaq, and a lot of other massively manufactured brands for that matter, is that they have fully intergrated motherboards and don't allow for any kind of customization or replacement if anything goes wrong. That might be more of a desktop issue though, not too sure about the brand new laptops. Aside from that, they are fine assuming you know how to avoid/get rid of excessive promotional programs that they pre-install.

[Goodwinm]

I'm talking about the quality of Compaq (or lack thereof) when I was talking about my distaste towards them. They are horrible computers.Fair enough :) I just hope my compaq holds in on me. " years old and still going strong" Im just waiting for the day those stupid "Blue screens of doom" come up and start aying my comp is erasing itself.
The only thing I hate with my compaq is the damn hyperthreding techonology.

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

Well when your motherboard craps out, there's nothing you can do unless you built it yourself. It's good that yours hasn't taken a dump on you yet.

[Goodwinm]

Well when your motherboard craps out, there's nothing you can do unless you built it yourself. It's good that yours hasn't taken a dump on you yet.
Yep, Oh jus noticed above. Its 2 years old.
But thank **** for the 5 year gauruntee :D
And if it blows out after 5 years I jus drop it (accidentlly down teh stairs) and claim off insurance.

[Nik00117]

^^ Wow you must have some seriousley screwy Compaqs man. Ive never had a problem with mine. apart from the usual virus crap. (my own fault..lol)

I don't own a compaq but I work with them daily and GAH so many issues! HP are worse though eh.

ANy person that has any knowledge of a PC opens up a HP and goes "WTF"

Dells worst design feature is how they place the HD, its placed vertically (osmtimes) so that if you jump it proof say BUH-BYE to your data.

Those are desktops though, normally when we get a laptop we look at it its not the RAM or HD we send it off to some other guy.

[Genacide]

ANy person that has any knowledge of a PC opens up a HP and goes "WTF"
.

Not true, the 5100 have a very nice design. I see a lot more problems with the Dell's at my place of work.

My general rule on buying a comp.
Spend the most money that you can afford. I spent the most I could 5 years ago and I'm still using the PC today, worth the investment.

Personnally I would wait until Vista comes out to buy a new PC, it has a lot of features and better security.

[Nik00117]

Personnally I would wait until Vista comes out to buy a new PC, it has a lot of features and better security.

It will also be a new OS, and have lots of bugs. Personnally any PC you buy today will run. And most of the HP cases (In fact not one that I have seen) suck.

[WBBIRL]

Prebuilts in general suck.

They give you little to no room inside the case for anything extra and its a bitch to work in those small small spaces. They dont want you in there screwing around at all.

More often then not, you get EXACTLY what you need in terms of PSU connectors... maybe the extra one or two 4 pin molex's. And to add to that the wattage/amperage of the PSU is probably JUST what you need for whats in there already.

I really dont like/understand the reason for putting HDD's in a vertical manner... but I have worked on 2 HP's and one old compaq. The newer of the two HP's and the compaq both had HDD's mounted vertically at the front of the case in the bottom.


If your the kind of guy who cant build computer, are only looking for an entry level office PC and dont already have a monitor the knock yourself out by going DELL, HP, SONY whatever...

If your atleast partly inclined and want a machine with a little bang involved.... save yourself headaches, time and money and just build it yourself.

Back to the OP now, the Core Duo laptop is what I would do. But take the advice already given in that no matter what you buy today it will be garbage in two years (relatively). If its a college laptop used for M$ office and websurfing while watching the odd movie and listening to some MP3's then it can last through college.

[Nik00117]

When I built my first PC I made a rule for myself

I shall never buy a prebuilt (laptops excluded and tahts soon to change as well)

[WBBIRL]

Its VERY hard to build your own laptop... you dont have near the flexability you do with Desktops..

Unless:

A) You know something/one I dont

B) They are about to change that


The computer I have now would have cost another 1000+ from Alienware and wouldnt have been as nice. Not only wouldnt the Alienware perform the same, some of the parts I wanted specifically werent available.

[BalancedMan]

nm...I should read all the posts before I make a reply

;)