Help
Hi, I am about to purchase my second ever laptop, my second ever PC and so much as changed since I last purchased one.
I was wondering what the difference is between these "innards" of computers:
1) Intel Core 2 Duo Processor with Centrino 2 Technology
2) Intel Celeron Processor
3) Intel Pentium Duel Core Processor
4) (HP) Pavilion (is a Pavilion an "innard"?)
5) Turion X2
Which of the 5 is preferable? Which of the 5 would normally be more expensive
and is it worth the extra money? Which one would be considered "Top of the Line?"
Which ones would be considered only if your needs are basic?
I need one to be able to go to college website and do classes from home, store documents and photos, watch a movie/DVD, use google earth, so I guess that's memory size - but does this factor into which of the 5 above is best for me?
My current laptop is Dell Pentium 4 and it lasted a very long time.
Thank you to whomever is able to respond - I appreciate it.
D.
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Laptop Computers (notebooks)
Computer Gurus,Please if you can, need assistance
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#1
debmidge 
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Posted 10 August 2009 - 02:19 AM
Husband has Celiac Disease and
Husband misdiagnosed for 27 yrs -
The misdiagnosis was: IBS or colitis
Mis-diagnosed from 1977 to 2003 by various gastros including one of the largest,
most prestigious medical groups in northern NJ which constantly advertises themselves as
being the "best." This GI told him it was "all in his head."
Serious Depressive state ensued
Finally Diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003
Other food sensitivities: almost all fruits, vegetables, spices, eggs, nuts, yeast, fried foods, roughage, soy.
Needs to gain back at least 25 lbs. of the 40 lbs pounds he lost - lost a great amout of body fat and muscle
Developed neuropathy in 2005
Now has lymphadema 2006It is my opinion that his subsequent disorders could have been avoided had he been diagnosed sooner by any of the dozen or so doctors he saw between 1977 to 2003
Husband misdiagnosed for 27 yrs -
The misdiagnosis was: IBS or colitis
Mis-diagnosed from 1977 to 2003 by various gastros including one of the largest,
most prestigious medical groups in northern NJ which constantly advertises themselves as
being the "best." This GI told him it was "all in his head."
Serious Depressive state ensued
Finally Diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003
Other food sensitivities: almost all fruits, vegetables, spices, eggs, nuts, yeast, fried foods, roughage, soy.
Needs to gain back at least 25 lbs. of the 40 lbs pounds he lost - lost a great amout of body fat and muscle
Developed neuropathy in 2005
Now has lymphadema 2006It is my opinion that his subsequent disorders could have been avoided had he been diagnosed sooner by any of the dozen or so doctors he saw between 1977 to 2003
#2
Jestgar
- Group: Moderators
- Posts: 8,768
- Joined: 13-June 06
Posted 10 August 2009 - 04:46 AM
What kinds of classes? If you'll be loading large programs (graphics maybe) you'll need something different than if you are using standard stuff.
Duo processors have two brains. I run statistical apps on multi processor units because the programs take boatloads of memory. Most people don't need them.
There isn't a huge difference in processors. What makes the difference is the speed, and the memory (not storage space). More Gigahertz (GHz) is faster. Important for stat stuff, and maybe graphics and games, would be less noticeable for standard apps. One gigabyte of memory is more than enough for most things.
I personally dislike Athalon (AMD Turion) but it's based on a generation of Athalon processors from years ago. I suspect they're better now.
Duo processors have two brains. I run statistical apps on multi processor units because the programs take boatloads of memory. Most people don't need them.
There isn't a huge difference in processors. What makes the difference is the speed, and the memory (not storage space). More Gigahertz (GHz) is faster. Important for stat stuff, and maybe graphics and games, would be less noticeable for standard apps. One gigabyte of memory is more than enough for most things.
I personally dislike Athalon (AMD Turion) but it's based on a generation of Athalon processors from years ago. I suspect they're better now.
"But then, in all honesty, if scientists don't play god, who will?"
- James Watson
My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating.
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Leap, and the net will appear.
Celiac.com - Celiac Disease Board Moderator
- James Watson
My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating.
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Leap, and the net will appear.
Celiac.com - Celiac Disease Board Moderator
#3
debmidge
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- Joined: 17-February 04
Posted 10 August 2009 - 02:50 PM
Yes, classes wherein I'll have to download graphics, Excel spreadsheets (accounting, finance, statistics). I don't want to "underbuy" for these needs. I don't want to buy a laptop that someone would purchase for a grammar school child and find out afterwards if I had paid just a little extra I could have gotten what I needed.
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
Husband has Celiac Disease and
Husband misdiagnosed for 27 yrs -
The misdiagnosis was: IBS or colitis
Mis-diagnosed from 1977 to 2003 by various gastros including one of the largest,
most prestigious medical groups in northern NJ which constantly advertises themselves as
being the "best." This GI told him it was "all in his head."
Serious Depressive state ensued
Finally Diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003
Other food sensitivities: almost all fruits, vegetables, spices, eggs, nuts, yeast, fried foods, roughage, soy.
Needs to gain back at least 25 lbs. of the 40 lbs pounds he lost - lost a great amout of body fat and muscle
Developed neuropathy in 2005
Now has lymphadema 2006It is my opinion that his subsequent disorders could have been avoided had he been diagnosed sooner by any of the dozen or so doctors he saw between 1977 to 2003
Husband misdiagnosed for 27 yrs -
The misdiagnosis was: IBS or colitis
Mis-diagnosed from 1977 to 2003 by various gastros including one of the largest,
most prestigious medical groups in northern NJ which constantly advertises themselves as
being the "best." This GI told him it was "all in his head."
Serious Depressive state ensued
Finally Diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003
Other food sensitivities: almost all fruits, vegetables, spices, eggs, nuts, yeast, fried foods, roughage, soy.
Needs to gain back at least 25 lbs. of the 40 lbs pounds he lost - lost a great amout of body fat and muscle
Developed neuropathy in 2005
Now has lymphadema 2006It is my opinion that his subsequent disorders could have been avoided had he been diagnosed sooner by any of the dozen or so doctors he saw between 1977 to 2003
#4
Jestgar
- Group: Moderators
- Posts: 8,768
- Joined: 13-June 06
Posted 10 August 2009 - 03:39 PM
I guess the other question is -how much do you want to spend? And do you need everything on the laptop? At home I have a desktop and a laptop. I put somethings on one, different things on the other. If you have (or want) a tricked out desktop you could go with a less expensive laptop (or the other way 'round).
Will you be using a lot of freeware (which, in my experience, seems to need more memory) or mostly paid-for programs?
Do you plan on running stand-alone stat programs (get more GHz) or do you think Excel will serve most of your needs?
Can you find out what sorts of programs your classes will be using? That might help you decide.
My philosophy is - whatever you buy will be outdated in a week, so don't get the best, get what you need.
Will you be using a lot of freeware (which, in my experience, seems to need more memory) or mostly paid-for programs?
Do you plan on running stand-alone stat programs (get more GHz) or do you think Excel will serve most of your needs?
Can you find out what sorts of programs your classes will be using? That might help you decide.
My philosophy is - whatever you buy will be outdated in a week, so don't get the best, get what you need.
"But then, in all honesty, if scientists don't play god, who will?"
- James Watson
My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating.
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Leap, and the net will appear.
Celiac.com - Celiac Disease Board Moderator
- James Watson
My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating.
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Leap, and the net will appear.
Celiac.com - Celiac Disease Board Moderator
#5
debmidge
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- Group: Advanced Members
- Posts: 2,566
- Joined: 17-February 04
Posted 11 August 2009 - 02:03 AM
Jestgar, on Aug 10 2009, 06:39 PM, said:
I guess the other question is -how much do you want to spend? And do you need everything on the laptop? At home I have a desktop and a laptop. I put somethings on one, different things on the other. If you have (or want) a tricked out desktop you could go with a less expensive laptop (or the other way 'round).
Although I won't say "price is no object" I am flexible on pricing.
Yes, I use a laptop - I don't have room for both desktop & laptop at my "computer station" at home. I need the portability of laptop for work.
I was confused about the "innards" - which system is best, which has the best reputation..etc?
Jestgar, on Aug 10 2009, 06:39 PM, said:
Will you be using a lot of freeware (which, in my experience, seems to need more memory) or mostly paid-for programs?
...I am not sure what "freeware" is exactly, as opposed for paid-for programs. Is freeware "Adobe"?
Jestgar, on Aug 10 2009, 06:39 PM, said:
Do you plan on running stand-alone stat programs (get more GHz) or do you think Excel will serve most of your needs?
I do not know yet how in-depth these classes will get and what my power (GHz) needs will be. I know the classes online will have other websites I have to go to get more data to analyze and the online class site will have their own that I'll have to download.
Jestgar, on Aug 10 2009, 06:39 PM, said:
Can you find out what sorts of programs your classes will be using? That might help you decide.
My philosophy is - whatever you buy will be outdated in a week, so don't get the best, get what you need.
My philosophy is - whatever you buy will be outdated in a week, so don't get the best, get what you need.
I'll have to then look into what the programs entail. That's a thought.
I am also concern that whatever I buy will be outdated in a week - so that's why I want to just get what I need. I underpurchased on the first laptop - didn't get enough memory. I want to prevent this on this go-around.
Thanks - Deb
Husband has Celiac Disease and
Husband misdiagnosed for 27 yrs -
The misdiagnosis was: IBS or colitis
Mis-diagnosed from 1977 to 2003 by various gastros including one of the largest,
most prestigious medical groups in northern NJ which constantly advertises themselves as
being the "best." This GI told him it was "all in his head."
Serious Depressive state ensued
Finally Diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003
Other food sensitivities: almost all fruits, vegetables, spices, eggs, nuts, yeast, fried foods, roughage, soy.
Needs to gain back at least 25 lbs. of the 40 lbs pounds he lost - lost a great amout of body fat and muscle
Developed neuropathy in 2005
Now has lymphadema 2006It is my opinion that his subsequent disorders could have been avoided had he been diagnosed sooner by any of the dozen or so doctors he saw between 1977 to 2003
Husband misdiagnosed for 27 yrs -
The misdiagnosis was: IBS or colitis
Mis-diagnosed from 1977 to 2003 by various gastros including one of the largest,
most prestigious medical groups in northern NJ which constantly advertises themselves as
being the "best." This GI told him it was "all in his head."
Serious Depressive state ensued
Finally Diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003
Other food sensitivities: almost all fruits, vegetables, spices, eggs, nuts, yeast, fried foods, roughage, soy.
Needs to gain back at least 25 lbs. of the 40 lbs pounds he lost - lost a great amout of body fat and muscle
Developed neuropathy in 2005
Now has lymphadema 2006It is my opinion that his subsequent disorders could have been avoided had he been diagnosed sooner by any of the dozen or so doctors he saw between 1977 to 2003
#6
Jestgar
- Group: Moderators
- Posts: 8,768
- Joined: 13-June 06
Posted 11 August 2009 - 03:49 AM
debmidge, on Aug 11 2009, 03:03 AM, said:
...I am not sure what "freeware" is exactly, as opposed for paid-for programs. Is freeware "Adobe"?
I mean the freeware programs written by other people, that are never sold. I'm sure you'll come across some.
I would guess that anything 2 GHz or more, and 2Gb or more should be more than you need. (That's right in the middle.) I wouldn't worry about dual processors. There are very few situations where they are helpful, and none where they are necessary. Every computer can multi-task with only one.
If you aren't in a hurry, look for sales. And take note of the weight if you plan to carry it around much. The $400 netbook isn't gonna work for you, but you should be able to find something for less than $1000.
And good luck in school
"But then, in all honesty, if scientists don't play god, who will?"
- James Watson
My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating.
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Leap, and the net will appear.
Celiac.com - Celiac Disease Board Moderator
- James Watson
My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating.
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Leap, and the net will appear.
Celiac.com - Celiac Disease Board Moderator
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