i8600 & CAD Programs

My friend said he talked with this technician not so long ago that said CENTRINOS/Processor M's have issues with CAD Programs and since I'm going into engineering (which I hear uses CAD Programs) I want to make sure I buy a laptop that is compatible with CAD's. Could anyone confirm with me that CAD programs do in fact work on the 8600 or Processor M's/Centrinos?

In addition, what is the difference between the wireless cards now available for the 8600 (specifically the intel and dell b/g cards). I know my friend has one for his 5100 that sticks out of his laptop about 3/4" or 2cm. I DO NOT want one of those...

I plan on getting a standard 1280x800 screen as well... My reasoning behind this is:

- Don't plan on doing image editing or anything of the sort

- Don't plan on playing games on a resolution higher than 1280x800 and games always look better in a resolution that is native to the screen

- Cheaper and I'm used to a 1024x768 which I'm currently on and I don't feel like I need a higher resolution

One more thing. Do most programs run problem-free on the Widescreen? For instance games? (I know games I've played in the past list the resolutions options and they're all 4:3 aspect i.e. Counterstrike or Sim City 4) do these automatically change when you're running on a different resolution? I don't want to get my notebook only to find out I have to run a majority of the games and programs in a window instead of full screen. If you have any info on Powerpoint it would be appreciated as well... Such as if you design a powerpoint presentation on your widescreen will is it in widescreen and does it cause problems when you try to run it on a square TV or projector?

Thanks in advance for all your help... [ ]

 

Hi Metrofighter,
The info your friend heard from his technician friend is false. The Pentium M has no such problems or bugs in it, it runs CAD or any other programs just as well as any Pentium 4 CPU. If there were ever any such issue, Intel would stop production until it were fixed and offer replacement of any defective processors in the field.

Jack

 

More likely what the technician meant was that CAD programs might take a lot of processing power and a P4 chip might be better? There's no way a PM simply wouldn't run a CAD program. Jeez, I used a 486 only 4 years ago and I don't think CAD software has advanced *that* much.

Your concerns with widescreen should be put to rest, 99% of programs/games will be just fine and fill out the screen in this format.

 

Thanks for the info guys.[ ]