Celeron or Dual Core for basic computing?

I'm shopping for a new laptop to replace a damaged Dell Inspiron 1300. All I would be using the computer for is web surfing, sending and receiving emails and some Quicken. I'm not a gamer nor am I into digital photography. One thing I do know is since the new computer's OS will be some form of Vista I need to make sure that it has at least 2GB of memory, that part I'm certain of based upon so many comments I've read about memory capacity and Vista.

I'm looking at a Dell Inspiron 1525 to replace my 2 year old Inspiron 1300. Dell offers a Celeron processor as the entry level processor on the 1525 and from there you can choose a dual core processor and then several core 2 duo processors. For basic computing needs on a computer having Vista with 2GB of memory would a Celeron processor be enough of a processor for me or should I spend an extra $50.00 USD for the entry level Dual Core processor offered by Dell? Feedback appreciated.

 

Celeron should be fine, but if you can afford the 50bucks more you will notice a significant difference in performance going to dual core.

 

dual core!

 

+1 for dual-core; better performance, battery life, heat output, longevity.

 

Dual Core, because it is more future-proof and it will let you to multi-task smootherly than you would with a Celeron, also, it will consume less power than the Celeron and be overall faster because of its newer architecture.

Verdict: Go with Dual Core.

 

I think I can handle an extra $50.00. Now I have to decide whether to buy new from Dell.com or buy a "certfied refurb" or "ordered new" from Dell's Outlet. I'll have to do some price comparisons tomorrow. Thanks for the post.

 

Is the Celeron 550 processor which Dell offers as an entry level processor on their Inspiron 1525's a dual core processor? Wal-Mart is selling a nicely configured Inspiron 1525 but it comes equipped with a Celeron processor which Wal-Mart's description says the Celeron is a dual core.

 

the newer Celerons feature Dual Core technology

Dell's outlets are a great way to save money. their refurbs and previously ordered new laptops are in every way the same as if you bought them new. you can probably even get an Intel Core 2 Duo based Inspiron or Studio for cheap and within your budget

remember to have at least 2GB of RAM as well

 

I received an email today from Dell's Outlet offering me a 20% discount on Inspiron laptops purchased from their outlet store. When I clicked on the coupon's details it said 20% off of refurbished units, it made no mention of 20% off of ordered new units, I'll have to call and ask.

It looks like if I want to save money I'll have to go the outlet route because most of those Dell coupons require you to spend at least $799.00 and up. I want to spend around $500.00 USD. If I ordered from Dell's Outlet can I do everything online or if I find a model I'm interested in should I call and place my order over the phone with Dell to avoid any mix ups in my order?

 

I just went to Dell's Outlet store to check their current inventory on Inspiron 1525's and in their pull down menu for processors they list "49" different types. That's everything from Celeron, Athlon, Pentium D, M, Dual Core, Core Duo and Core 2 Duo. So many choices. Based upon comments posted here I have already ruled out the Celerons, someone on another board told me to not consider any of the Athlon processors because they run hot, so that leaves me to select an Intel processor.

For my basic computing needs, web surfing, email and some Quicken which processor should I try to select from Dell's Outlet store on a 1525? A Pentium Dual Core, a Core Duo or a Core 2 Duo? Again I'd like to keep my budget under $600.00 to $700.00 USD if I can use a coupon to make my purchase like the 20% off one I received today by email.

This question might be off topic but does anyone own an Inspiron 1525 in "Midnight Blue" and if you do is "Midnight Blue" a nice shade of blue or is it a "glow in the dark" shade of blue? It's hard to tell looking at images online. I spoke to someone with Dell last night in India, when I asked the tech that question all he said was "Midnight Blue" was nice.

 

If you can, go with Core 2 Duo:

<--Low--Medium--High-->

Celeron -- Pentium Dual Core -- Core Duo -- Core 2 Duo

The Core 2 Duo architecture is newer than that of Core Duo, providing better data processing per clock, and it is more future-proof than any of the others behind of it, also, it runs cooler while "leeching" less battery power and consuming less electricity at the same clock speed as a Core Duo.

The Midnight Blue is not glow-in-the-dark, sadly , but it looks really nice to my liking.

 

^ Plus the Core 2 Duo is a 64-bit chip!

 

Nice is better than glow in the dark blue, nice is better.

 

64-bit chip? You lost me.

 

In order for an operating system to use 4GB of RAM, you need a 64-bit CPU and an operating system that is designed to use the 64-bit architecture. Sixty-four bit allows not only for more RAM to be addressed, but also for greater calculational performance and security.

 

A processor capable of using 64-Bit Technology is capable to use a 64-Bit OS, that can manage up to 8 GB of Memory (depending on the hardware that needs to be addressed by memory), in most cases, 4 GB is the common memory use for a 64-Bit OS, also, the 64-Bit architecture is less prone to malware somewhat.

Intel's 64-Bit technology is called EM64T, and AMD's 64-Bit technology is called AMD64.

In conclusion, you would be able to bypass the 3.2 GB block of addressable memory on a 32-Bit OS if you used a 64-Bit OS along with a processor that has EM64T / AMD 64 Technology (Core 2 Duo and up).

Edit: Whewt, Bog, we answered at almost the same time. Haha.

 

I think 2GB of memory will be all I need.

 

Listen, you wont need 2GB memory either. You can go with a basic configuration with 1GB memory, WinXP ( if they offer it ) and a Core Duo or Core 2 Duo.

The reason I am recommending the Core line of processors is because they're **** good improvements over the Pentium line. Lesser wattage, more efficient. They're 40% faster with 40% less power usage. Do the math yourself!

1GB RAM is enough for what you have described. I use 2GB RAM and I'm a heavy duty VM guy. Decide for yourself!

 

If Windows XP was still available I could get by with 1GB of memory but based upon so much that I have read online, much of it over at CNET if I buy any new computer having "any" form of Windows Vista I need 2GB of memory because according to many in the know over at CNET, Windows Vista is a "memory hog". If Windows XP was still available on new machines for my basic needs I could get by with 512MB of memory. I did for 2 years on a Dell Inspiron 1300 having only a 40GB HD.

 

I have Windows Vista Ultimate Running inside a Virtual Machine with 1Gig of RAM. I can do all of what you want plus more. This machine is a Dell Inspiron 510m. 1.6GHz Pentium-M Dothan CPU and upgraded 2 Gigs of memory. So you can guess the Virtual Machine makes it run on even lower specs + 1Gig of memory.

I've never had any issues of running out of memory or slow execution in Vista. Then again I've not overloaded the system and kept it clean. So its upto you.

 

1gb ram is enough for vista home basic ,
dont really need to go backwards to get xp.

 

I've just come from Dell's Outlet store looking at their current inventory of Inspiron 1525's and in their pull down selector Dell lists 15 different Core 2 Duo processors, some are rated at 667 Mhz FSB/2MB cache(?) while others are rated at 800 Mhz FSB/2MB cache(?).

For basic computing needs, web surfing and sending and receiving emails does it matter if I were to select a machine rated at 667 Mhz FSB verses a 800 Mhz FSB? If I selected a Core 2 Duo processor with 1.5 GHz or one with 2.1 GHz, would that make a big difference? I have no idea what these numbers mean, that's why I'm asking.

I have already been told by others on this board to select a computer with a Core 2 Duo processor vs a Celeron or a Dual Core processor but I had no idea that Dell's Outlet had 15 different Core 2 Duo processors listed in their Outlet store until I checked.

 

You wouldn't notice a difference between 1.5 and 2.1 for web surfing. I've played games with the 1.5 core 2 and they ran fine.

 

Well what about the 667 Mhz FSB vs the 800 Mhz FSB? For my basic computing needs could I get by with the 667 Mhz FSB? There are a lot of 1525's listed in Dell's Outlet Store having 667 Mhz FSB/2MB cache? processors. I went through every one and the most that were listed in the Dell Outlet Store were Intel Core 2 Duo-2000 processors having the 667 Mhz FSB. Thanks for the post.

 

The T5750 should be more than fine for what your doing.

 

I say at least a dual core processor for these days.

 

Thank you very much.

 

That has already been determined but some of the others on this board have recommended I go with a Core Duo 2. Thanks for the post.