Laptop Speed

xaoifsx

i have no idea what is good or bad when it comes to processor speed.. the GHz?

what would be the average speed of a laptop these days?

is 2GHz fast enough?? I'm thinking of buying this laptop..

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5085556/Trail/searchtext%3ELAPTOP.htm

theres a different model of this laptop and its 3GHz.. i think theres less GB in it and it is around the same price..

What would the speed depend on aswell?


Thanks

xaoifsx

i am also open to suggestions of what other great laptops are out there...

Fiskar

Alot depends on what you want to use the laptop for, some would say that processor while fast is old hat from about 2 to 3 years ago.
Most look at the Intel i3 to i5 series and the second generation of those is out in laptops now.

xaoifsx

well theres another which is 3GHz.. is 3Ghz a lot faster than 2GHz??

if i were to play the odd computer game on it would it be better to get a 3GHz?

Alanstrainor

xaoifsx wrote: »

well theres another which is 3GHz.. is 3Ghz a lot faster than 2GHz??

if i were to play the odd computer game on it would it be better to get a 3GHz?

Forget what GHZ it is. There is a lot more to processors than the clock speed(measured in Ghz).

What do you intend on using this machine for?

xaoifsx

for college.. for music, movies, internet, and games like sims3 or so..so big games

dazzday

xaoifsx wrote: »

for college.. for music, movies, internet, and games like sims3 or so..so big games

That model will struggle with sims 3. In fact you could do quite abit better in terms of specs for your price range

For your need I'd be looking at 2nd generation i3 processors. The integrated graphics card in these is good enough to play older games (like Sims 3) at good settings. These cpus also offer significant performance and battery life improvements over the older generation processors (particularly to what you linked!)

Something like this would suit you:

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5750_1086986.html

- Good cpu for light gaming
- 6gb (abit overkill for your needs but certainly helps futureproof)
- Large HDD
- USB 3.0 ( again futureproofing)
- Good battery life (ideal for college)

There are plenty on other options on that site in your price range (including some i5 cores if you plan on doing anything cpu intensive like video editing). As mentioned dont be put off by clock speeds in cpus (2Ghz etc)...there is ALOT more to more to the newer cpus than clock speed and in 90% of cases the i3 range will outperform some of the highest clocked core2duos.

Skerries

with dazzdays onboard grphics you would be able to play Sims 3 in medium settings
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-HD-Graphics-3000.37948.0.html

and would be unplayable with the one you chose from Argos
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-GMA-4500M.20379.0.html

scroll down for game results

xaoifsx

dazzday wrote: »

That model will struggle with sims 3. In fact you could do quite abit better in terms of specs for your price range

For your need I'd be looking at 2nd generation i3 processors. The integrated graphics card in these is good enough to play older games (like Sims 3) at good settings. These cpus also offer significant performance and battery life improvements over the older generation processors (particularly to what you linked!)

Something like this would suit you:

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5750_1086986.html

- Good cpu for light gaming
- 6gb (abit overkill for your needs but certainly helps futureproof)
- Large HDD
- USB 3.0 ( again futureproofing)
- Good battery life (ideal for college)

There are plenty on other options on that site in your price range (including some i5 cores if you plan on doing anything cpu intensive like video editing). As mentioned dont be put off by clock speeds in cpus (2Ghz etc)...there is ALOT more to more to the newer cpus than clock speed and in 90% of cases the i3 range will outperform some of the highest clocked core2duos.

so that laptop combats the future..hmm

ok so i should be aiming for the i3 or i5 processors?

so a Phenom II N660 processor? would that be able to handle it at all?

btw, whats the difference between USB 3.0 and 2.0? just speed?

xaoifsx

Skerries wrote: »

with dazzdays onboard grphics you would be able to play Sims 3 in medium settings
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-HD-Graphics-3000.37948.0.html

and would be unplayable with the one you chose from Argos
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-GMA-4500M.20379.0.html

scroll down for game results

never mind...

dazzday

xaoifsx wrote: »

so that laptop combats the future..hmm

ok so i should be aiming for the i3 or i5 processors?

For your price range, most definitely. Doesnt make sense to buy old technology when you can get new technology at the same price and the significant performance boost you get with it. Also newer tech makes more sense if this laptop is an investment and you plan to use it for a significant lifespan ( 3years or so). These processors should be able to compete comfortably with any new software demands that come out over the next few years.
Specifically in your case i would be looking at 2nd generation i3 cores. You can tell if they are 2nd gen due to the 2 in front of the number eg. Intel® Core™ i3-2310M.
Id choose these over first gen i3 as they have a significantly more powerful integrated graphics card which is ideal for light gaming (like Sims3) and thus you can avoid the cost of having to purchase a laptop with a dedicated gpu.

so a Phenom II N660 processor? would that be able to handle it at all?

For the majority of games the graphics card is key and usually the first component to be a bottleneck in terms of performance. The N660 is an ok cpu but really only ranks on par with the lowest first gen i3 (i3-370m i think). Better of going for Intel® Core™ i3-2310M

btw, whats the difference between USB 3.0 and 2.0? just speed?

Nearly 10times faster data transfer (ideal for plugging to an external HDD for movies), uses less power (helps battery life), and you will the vast majority on new cameras etc utilizing USB 3.0 over other ports like firewire etc. Definitely something to have if you are looking to keep your laptop for a relatively long time

answers in quote

xaoifsx

thank you

its very hard to look at different processors.. they are all so different with the names!
are there any HPs with i3 or i5?

im a bit biased for HP because i have one myself at the moment..

and im looking for a good laptop with a colour... some people think its mad to choose a laptop for colour..like my folks!!
the acer link you sent is a good one (and had colour!)
but its 530 in ireland... i want to try and find a laptop under 500 if possible!!

any other ideas?

Sorry for asking this.. its just i find it hard to understand specs and what it can do!! i hope you don't mind..

xaoifsx

is this the switchy lid one?? thats always on tv??


its l430€ on currys.. im just trying to get a euro price on it!

http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/dell-inspiron-15r-laptop-156-inch---blue/831914867.prd

i found an irish currys... so 469

http://www.currys.ie/Product/156-Home-Computing-Laptop-Dell/309435/148

beno619

Theres better value to be had online, most likely the ones in the stores are last years models and overprice as opposed to the switchy lid ones.
here are last years models with a good graphics card should come in at around €400
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Dell_Inspiron_15R_1085130.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Dell_Inspiron_15R_1085131.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Dell_Inspiron_15R_1085129.html

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