PC Notebook buying questions...

[RTC]

Hi,

I tried looking for info already, but couldn't find what I was looking for. So I guess I'll put out the specific question.

I'm currently shopping around for a new notebook, and I am debating between going low budget or spending a little more. The same questions usually comes up:

1) Processor: AMD Turion X2 T-50 vs Intel Core 2 Duo T5500
A- Is the AMD that mush worse (it always seems to be in the lower end machines)?
B- Is it because the AMD has only 512K of Cache vs. the 2Mb of the Intel?

2) Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 vs. Intel GMA 950
A- There both Integrated cards I believe, so does the better performing card just depend on home much more ram it is able to use?
B- Would it be more worth it to get the Nvidia GeForce Go 7600? (If I just want to do some photo editing and maybe video editing, but most likely just photos, no gaming either)

3) RAM: All the new machines seem to come with Vista already, would it be safe to say 2G's or Ram would be best (especially with one of the integrated graphic cards)?

Thanks for taking the time to read and answer any questions. If these questions were answered elsewhere, I appologize.

[goofball]

The X2 is good but its performance is not the equivalent of the Intel. You can't charge the same but offer less performance.

For what you are doing, you won't notice the difference. For photo and video editing, it's more CPU/RAM/Hard Drive/Screen that make the difference, not the video card.

2G of RAM should be a good way to start. 1GB isn't that much for Vista + Photoshop work. It's barely enough for XP + Photoshop.

Hope that helps.

[RTC]

Man these threads move quick...

Thanks for the advice, I guess I know which computers to take off my list :)

[EscaBoi]

I got a question about those 2 video cards as well, i know they're pretty crappy, but which one is better overall.

I just bought the Asus AS5610 which has the Intel GMA 950, it can barely run CS1.6 giving me 20-30 FPS making it very laggy, is the Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 a little better at least, though the specs are very similar.

Here's what i bought http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=674760&CatIds=88%2C89%2C90%2C4367&AffixedCode=WW&=
and i'm looking to switch it for this instead http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10084222&catid=20354 since Future Shop has it for $899 right now.

I got a couple of days still for me to keep the lappy before i can return it back to Staples. Opinions would help very much.

[dasaylay]

The HP laptop has a better video card as it is not integrated with the motherboard, but rather has a dedicated video card. It'll take stress off the CPU when rendering games.

[EscaBoi]

actually both are intergrated, thanks for the info though

i just found this site, which is very helpful, hopefully can help others who are looking for notebooks and comparisons. http://www.notebookcheck.net/FAQ-Tips-Technics.123.0.html

$100 difference just for a minute difference, if BB can PM for me then i think i'll go for the HP

[aZnDeViLbOi]

I got a question about those 2 video cards as well, i know they're pretty crappy, but which one is better overall.

I just bought the Asus AS5610 which has the Intel GMA 950, it can barely run CS1.6 giving me 20-30 FPS making it very laggy, is the Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 a little better at least, though the specs are very similar.

Here's what i bought http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=674760&CatIds=88%2C89%2C90%2C4367&AffixedCode=WW&=
and i'm looking to switch it for this instead http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10084222&catid=20354 since Future Shop has it for $899 right now.

I got a couple of days still for me to keep the lappy before i can return it back to Staples. Opinions would help very much.

the staples one is good... keep it,

for u buy this laptop since its pretty nice

[lazybum131]

Acer /= Asus.

Between the 14" HP and the 15.4" Acer Aspire, I'd go with the smaller HP dv2000.

It's smaller, lighter, and I personally find it a lot nicer looking than any of the Acer Aspires. It also has a firewire port, S/PDIF audio output, s-video out, webcam and convenient IR remote, but it has less hard drive space and a slower processor. The slower processor you won't notice any difference in 'normal' everyday tasks, since the hard drive speed and amount of ram would be the bottleneck in how snappy it feels.

For gaming, the integrated nvidia 6150 will perform better, and driver compatibility with games will be better.

The dv2000 also has an optional extended 12-cell battery available that doubles the battery life, not sure if the Aspire has an extended battery option.

[EscaBoi]

thanks, the answer i was looking for

my mistake, i keep typing Asus instead of Acer by accident, getting it confused the whole 4 letter thing :confused:

[Impossibles]

I got a question about those 2 video cards as well, i know they're pretty crappy, but which one is better overall.

I just bought the Asus AS5610 which has the Intel GMA 950, it can barely run CS1.6 giving me 20-30 FPS making it very laggy, is the Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 a little better at least, though the specs are very similar.

Here's what i bought http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=674760&CatIds=88%2C89%2C90%2C4367&AffixedCode=WW&=
and i'm looking to switch it for this instead http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10084222&catid=20354 since Future Shop has it for $899 right now.

I got a couple of days still for me to keep the lappy before i can return it back to Staples. Opinions would help very much.

Try buying the HP and compare the two? Use www.passmark.com for a free tool you can use to compare the two.

I bought that Acer for my sister and think it's a great deal.

[RTC]

FYI, I just found another site, notebookreview.com, that seems to have a lot of good info... answered some of my questions too.