m1330 processor/graphics question

Hi.

First of all, I'm based in Dublin, Ireland. I spent some time deciding between the m1530 and the m1330 and have settled on the latter. I will not be playing games on the machine.

a) Processor: the m1330 is available with 1.66, 2.0 and 2.2ghz processors. Am I correct in saying that the 1.66 will be the best option with regard to heat and battery life?

b) Graphics: as stated above, I don't play computer games. Therefore is there any need for a graphics card? If I go with the 1.66 processor (and 2Gb of RAM) there is an option for Intel integrated graphics. Will this be good enough for movies etc? Also, am I correct in surmising that battery life will be enhanced by the lack of a separate graphics card?

c) I abhore fan noise. Is the m1330 noisy?

All answers would be appreciated. The m1330 seems to be the closest Windows machine I've seen to a Macbook Pro. Great keyboard, gorgeous design and screen. Any bad points?

 

A) Correct....but the others have mechanisms that allow them to run at lower speeds when not being use, or even underclocked if you want to save battery/produce less heat.

B) If you are planning on playing no new games, the x3100 is just fine...but brother's fujitsu Tablet has the Intel generation before the x3100 (less powerful) and he can even play WoW...

C) Not noisy at all...the fan is almost always on low, which is very audible....The only i've ever had it go to high was when doing a max temperature stress test by maxing out both cores for 20 minutes...

 

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Just to clarify, was that a typo (i.e. very audible)?

 

a) Processor: the m1330 is available with 1.66, 2.0 and 2.2ghz processors. Am I correct in saying that the 1.66 will be the best option with regard to heat and battery life?

As far as heat, google around, as the charts don't necessarily show that heat is increased based on processor clock speed, but it is a reasonable assumption that the 1.66 will be slightly cooler than the 2.2.

While I don't know the answer to this, I wonder if a more powerful processor which is not being taxed hard might do better heat and battery life-wise, than a severely-taxed under-powered processor, so I wouldn't be sure the 1.66 is better, in that regard, either.

b) Graphics: as stated above, I don't play computer games. Therefore is there any need for a graphics card? If I go with the 1.66 processor (and 2Gb of RAM) there is an option for Intel integrated graphics. Will this be good enough for movies etc? Also, am I correct in surmising that battery life will be enhanced by the lack of a separate graphics card?

I'm pretty sure that any modern processor with any modern integrated graphics should be able to easily play a DVD or other Standard-Definition movie. I doubt you'll ever be able to play a Blu-Ray movie, though, with those specs.

I do believe that battery life is supposed to be better with the integrated graphics, though the 8400M GS is not quite a powerhouse that it should make for that great a difference between the two. Additionally, the 8400M GS can clock itself down and use less power, if necessary.

c) I abhore fan noise. Is the m1330 noisy?

Mine, with an nVidia card and a 2.0 gHz T7300 on High Performance mode, is generally very quiet, though the fan does run and is audible if you listen for it.

P.S. Do you, in Ireland, really spell "abhor" with the "e" at the end of the word?

 

No. And neither do I when I've had a decent lunch...

Thanks for your post.