I'm laptop shopping - what Processor should I look for (or avoid)?

[UnderRated]

I have no idea what any of the information means.

I know Intel are expensive but I know nothing else. I'm assuming I can opt for a cheaper processor, but which one?

Please help!

I wouldn't go for a celeron (not sure that is an option with a laptop anyway !).

Just make sure you have lots of memory if you are going to run vista - mimimum of 2Gb.

If you want it for games then you need a fast processor and lots of memory and a good video/graphics card. If just for email, word precessing and web surfing then you don't need such high spec. Lots of photo manipulation needs somewhere between those two extremes.

Post here the spec your are considering and see what people think.

core 2 duo has double processor for speediness! agree with throck about celeron

Celeron is also Intel, but it's the cheap end of the range. AMD are the main alternative to Intel, but I'm out of touch with their current range. I have seen Turion mentioned as a current AMD processor.

You can probably get a cheaper processor, the question is what are your priorities? A cheaper processor will usually be slower, but the other components also affect the cost. The most important thing is to make sure you have plenty of memory.

As well as costing more, faster processors use more power, which will reduce battery life if that matters to you. Some processors are specifically designed for laptops with lower power consumption and hence extend the battery life. If you only want word processing and web surfing a Celeron is probably adequate.

Great - thanks for the info, this was very helpful. I currently have am AMD Turion and the ones I have been looking at were a Core Duo or another Turion, so sounds like that'll be ok.

Just out of interest, why is a Celeron to be avoided?

I didn't know why GB were important so will look at that too now. I'm only using the laptop for internet, word processing and photos so it doesn't need to do anything fancy.

Will have another look tonight and see what I can find.

I was thinking of something like this but would prefer to pay (much) less

Does it sound ok? It has:

Intel® Core?2 Duo mobile processor (with 2MB L2 cache and 1.83GHz processor speed - NO IDEA what that means)

3GB DDR2 memory

DVD±RW/CD-RW drive

15.4" XGA widescreen display with 1280 x 800 resolution

250GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)

If you're near a best buy store then ring up and ask if this is in stock. It's much cheaper and it should be entirely adequate for "internet, word processing and photos". The memory is less than I would normally recommend, but you can always get that upgraded if you find it's a bit slow.

Don't get a Dell! Am hating mine, always crashing and freezing, all the computer literate people here seem to say the same thing....

Thanks you two. I had a great HP computer laptop - I think Compaq are HP, aren't they? The one Evelyn's Dad linked to is much more affordable and, if I can upgrade the hard drive (I have tons of music and pictures), that will be a good one for me, I think. I really want 250gb, if I can get it.

Good to know about Dell - mine is a Gateway and has been rubbish so that's two I would rather avoid.

You've all been v helpful

Disk prices are dropping quite quickly still. If you can manage on 160GB for a year, a 250GB disk will be a lot cheaper in a year than it is now.