Re: AMD vs. Intel

For modern CPUs, with the exception of the PentiumM lineup from Intel,
the AMD chips are usually less thirsty for power and generate less heat
than their equivalent-performance Intel counterparts.  Since you're
going with a laptop, it's a tossup and either will serve the purpose.  I
haven't looked lately, but I don't think Intel offers a mobile 64 bit
CPU just yet; AMD does.

Personally, I've been running AMD-based desktops since the K6.  Every
time I've built another machine or upgraded the CPU/motherboard of my
own rig AMD has always offered better bang/buck.  I've never had any
compatibility issues with AMD chips.


As you alluded, just as important is to make sure the RAM & disk are up
to snuff.  1GB RAM is a good minimum.  I used to say 512MB but all too
often I see a fully booted PC using 400+MB just with all the services
and other stuff loaded.  My work notebook is using 662MB right now and I
don't have that much stuff open; I can easily drive 800+MB RAM in use.
Get a 7200 RPM drive; it's a noticeable improvement in performance
compared to 5400 RPM disks (4200 RPM disks are still being sold .. Keep
away!).

Also, do a test-drive on the screen & keyboard to make sure they're
comfortable.  Keyboards without full-size arrow keys and a logical
placement for home/end and page up/down fail the test for me.  I can
live with reduced size F-keys but the nav keys have to be full size.
YMMV.  Check the screen; is it bright enough?  Do DVDs play back
smoothly?

A DVD burner is good, although read-only is adequate if you get an
external drive to back up documents.  You do want their docs to be
backed up on occasion, yes?

Finally, get a 3 year warranty that's as comprehensive as possible.
Entry notebooks come with 90 days to 1 year and that's simply not enough
if you want the machine to last for their college career.  I've never
had an original notebook HD outlast 3 years (about 18 months is average
for me).

Don't be fooled by the $400 notebooks you see advertised.  In general,
the machine you actually want will still run $1000 and up.

John A. Jones, CISSP
Americas Information Security Officer
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
V: +1-630-455-2787 F: +1-312-601-1782
john.jones@xxxxxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: pctech-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:pctech-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Steve McKay
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2006 10:20 AM
To: pctech@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [PCTECH] AMD vs. Intel

I'm looking at laptops for a college student.  It seems that many of
them are running AMD processors rather than Intel.  What are the
advantages or disadvantages of one over the other?  I seem to remember
some heat problems with AMD processors (which doesn't seem like such a
good thing for a
laptop) - have these been fixed?  Is there a specific processor (either
AMD or Intel) to avoid?  Is there one that is obviously better than
another? 
Should I ignore the processor altogether and look only at memory and
storage?

TIA,

Steve 


--
This is the PC Technical Discussion for iSeries Users (PcTech) mailing
list To post a message email: PcTech@xxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe,
unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit: http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/pctech
or email: PcTech-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives at
http://archive.midrange.com/pctech.


This email is for the use of the intended recipient(s) only.  If you have 
received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and then 
delete it.  If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, use, 
disclose, copy or distribute this email without the author's prior permission.  
We have taken precautions to minimize the risk of transmitting software 
viruses, but we advise you to carry out your own virus checks on any attachment 
to this message.  We cannot accept liability for any loss or damage caused by 
software viruses.  The information contained in this communication may be 
confidential and may be subject to the attorney-client privilege. If you are 
the intended recipient and you do not wish to receive similar electronic 
messages from us in the future then please respond to the sender to this effect.