New Atom n550 vs i5 ULV

Which is better? The N550 is Dual core clocked at 1.5Ghz while the i5 430UM is clocked at 1.2ghz with turbo boost up to 1.73ghz. Which would be better for daily web browsing, word processing etc. How does the 430UM compare to a 450M? Is it a lot slower or do you think it should be enough for general use? I'm planning on selling my current notebook for this only because I need more battery life, but I don't want it if it's going to lag too much

 

For one, Atoms can never compare to Core i processors. You are comparing apples and oranges. The i5 has Turbo Boost as stated. And ULV processors can't be compared to their normal counterparts.

 

Why can't they compare? I'm not worried about the benchmarks etc., just the experience of real life usage. If someone has used both an i5 and an i5 ULV, is there a significant difference in load times/speed

 

I have used myriad of netbooks and I used to own one. The processor isn't the limiting factor but is literally only for email and Word. Atom/i5 ULV is enough to run Windows but gaming and rendering are out of the question.

 

Thanks, I am trying to decide between the Vaio Y and Vaio S (vaio S is best buy exclusive) The main difference is that Vaio S has a normal i5 430m processor while the Y has a 430UM, BUT the Y has a Ati 4550 video card while the S only has integrated graphics. Would you rather take the graphics upgrade or processor upgrade? I won't be playing any games anyways, maybe some 720p movies once in a while, mostly Word, excel, web browsing, some photoshop if possible

 

my understanding is the integrated graphic(I assume in the i5 package) is a very key factor to battery life, this was the case for a long long time(even when it was just in the chipset, not CPU).

So if you don't play game, it make sense to get that for maximizing battery life.

 

Anything is better than IGP. You will take a hit on battery life but HD video playback will be smoother with discreet video.

 

The gma HD is more than enough for HD video. You only need more if you want to use it for gaming, but for that anything below a HD5650 or a GT330 is useless.

 

Thanks for your help guys, but the fact is that even with the video card the Vaio Y has a 7 hour battery life while the Vaio S has about 3-4 hours, so it looks like the ULV processor makes a bigger difference than integrated graphics. What about the overall experience? Would having a video card speed things up for general use? Or would I have more benefit from having a non-ULV processor? Windows Aero theme uses a chunk of the video card too right, so the ATI would make things more smooth?

@razor2, so you're saying that the ATI 4550 isn't a big improvement from integrated graphics? If that's the case, I may as well go with the S for the better procecssor

Lastly, do ULV processors still have integrated graphics for me to switch to? Or to use the intel Wi-Di?

PSS, does anyone know the windows experience index rating is for the i5 430UM

 

The 4550 is a big improvement over the Intel HD, but its not worth it...because its still to weak for gaming and everything else runs pretty good on the intel HD.

 

800mhz i5 > 1.6ghz atom.

 

freq doesn't mean anything. It hasn't meant anything since P4s. Also I would wait for Sandy bridge it comes out in a month. I am sure you can get a nice 32nm duel core with low power usage. Also it'll have a real nice on-die graphics chup and will run a large amount of games.

 

OP, make sure that you're comparing actual usage from both models (eg. websurfing, note taking, watching videos, etc.) instead of just sitting there idling (at the dimmest screen setting) when comparing battery run times.

Also, does one have a higher WH battery than the other? This too will make the run times look better or worse for one or the other.

With my experience, I would choose the 'normal' i5 430M processor model and have just as much battery life as the 'UM' model (when just idling) - but when needed, it will have the reserve to actually be used for your more demanding tasks like PS, for example.

Is the price the same between these two models? Can you simply buy an extra battery for the non 'um' cpu and have it run just as long (for possibly the same price)?

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice, makes more sense now. I can get the Vaio Y configured to my liking for about $800, and the Vaio S for about $1100. Im planning on getting the Y with an i5-430UM and ATI graphics which will bring it to about 5 hours battery life, which is equal to the Vaio S.

So for $300 more, I get the i5 450M, optical drive, and and backlit keyboard, but I lose dedicated graphics.

If I go with the Y, I get a lighter notebook with dedicated graphics but lose everything above, but I can use the extra money to get an SSD or an extra battery. I cant seem to find the w/h on the S, but the Y is 48wh.

I'm soo confused, im trying to figure out if i5UM+ATI+SSD will run faster than i5M+integrated+hard drive. I know this kind of turned into a "which notebook should I buy" sorry if its in the wrong section

 

You have no need for the ATI graphics, so why not get the S with the faster cpu? Or even wait a little longer since Sandy Bridge cpu's debut on Jan 5th.

 

I would actually test both to get a feel of max battery and max average usage. Also better yet get battery eater and use that program. its great for testing typical usage in many different situations.

 

I actually don't know of any places in my area that carry the Y so I cant test it, as for the Sandy Bridge, its coming out on the 5th but im sure itll take about 2 or 3 months before manufacturers actually implement them into computers are ready for retail. Not only that but theres sales going on for December and I can get the notebooks for cheap, dont know if I can get the same deals in 2011.

 

Manufacturers started getting the CPUs and working on designs a couple of months ago. Several models will be out by the end of January (some within a week of the announcement), and those might push the prices of current models down. Either way, the only benefit SB has for you is slightly more battery life. In your case, you don't need to wait.

 

correct. Also SB on-die gpu is going to be awesome. It'll rival many lowend cards or beat them. Not sure what gpu you were looking at but SB might beat it or be close.

 

I wouldn't say useless. You can play a lot of games with a lower end GPU that you can't with Intel GMA. SC2 for example.

 

Two things:

First, the 450um will not outrun the faster 'normal' 450m - even with an SSD powering the um based system. While it may respond with more 'snap'; it will not make it any faster where raw hp is needed (like PS, for example) - it will still take roughly twice the time to do anything on the um (if not more, depending on the application used).

Second, I don't think that those system prices you quoted are really 'deals' and, do you really think that distributors will give you the best prices they can now? Without a good reason?

In a short 3 weeks and 3 days (Jan 5, 2011), SB will be announced and it is highly anticipated that at least a few manufacturers will have systems ready to go from Day 1.

What that will do is force distributors to clear out any inventory of old models (including the models you're interested in) at their best prices ever (even better than what they'll be offering right up until Jan 5), while giving you the chance to read the reviews on the 5th and decide if the features on offer will be something you'll use directly, or, if you want to buy a similar system to what you're considering now - but at a nicely discounted price.

Not only will you save money (almost guaranteed), but you may even get a new system with a more powerful processor, a faster/better integrated video module (I don't think your needs dictate a discrete gpu), better battery life (maybe even surpassing the current um models?) and possibly with a new generation SSD - all for the same or less money than what you're considering spending now.

All of the above is something to keep in mind; but for a mere 24 'sleeps' more, I know I would be kicking myself for simply being impatient and losing out on all the possible benefits on tap.

Good luck.

 

as i have always said. Your buying a technology that is a year old. You have missed out of a year of use effectively. Buying SB from the start gives you maximum worth out of your money and performance. I specifically waited for i7 qm to come out before i bought a laptop. i waited 3 months for it and it was by far worth it. Why would i have bought a C2D a year ago? It was about to be replaced by something far far faster. Also at that point C2D has been out forever, which made it even more retarded to buy. My soon to be wife is using my old laptop and she can limp by on that until ivy bridge. All she uses it for is papers and internet. Works just find. She can squeeze an easy year out of it and then she'll get an ivy bridge. why buy an i5? Oh and on top of that why buy an atom...they suck terribly. They are so slow it's not even funny. I would rather buy a k125 or k325. might get a few hours less battery life but have a fast little netbook. So if you honestly are going to get a laptop before SB at least get the i5. atom is a joke unless you literally need 10 hours out life.

EDIT an UM will give better battery life but i doubt it's worth the performance hit. Also a UM isn't that slow if your not doing stuff like PS or encoding or something crazy like that. Than if you are than it's pointless to have a UM because you'll need the performance and battery life will not exist either way with that kind of power drain.

 

I know Sandy Bridges are less costly but I was really expecting prices to go up since manufacturers will claim it as a new processor, but you seem sure prices will drop so I will wait, as you said, I don't want to regret buying it in January so its better to wait

@DCMAKER, you have a very good point, no point of getting it now since it will only be the "latest technology" for about a month. I was deciding between the Atom and ULV but now the Atom is out and its between the ULV and M, but im gonna wait till January and see what comes up. Would this be a good time to sell my i7 notebook while the value is high? Or would it be okay if I waited till early January?

After all the countless posts I've read explaining why not to a buy a notebook now, these 2 were the ones that finally changed my mind. ld give you guys some rep points but it looks like theres a limit on how much you can give in 24 hours =D

 

honestly i have no clue about the prices. I would post in the MBR marketplace and ask. If you got a laptop right now. i would sell that and use those funds to get a new one with SB or if your current laptop is good wait til ivy bridge ^^. Mine will last me a long time so i am good unless it breaks ^^. My fiancee is using my old laptop and she hates the thing but i am making her wait til ivy bridge because i am going to get her a tablet/laptop ^^. She will be a teach and a tablet/laptop will be useful for her. Honestly though if you got an i7 and you can use it just find stick with it for another year. If you really need a moe portable one wait for SB because it'll be 32nm and have a good integrated gpu

 

Prices for current laptops will go down. The SB-based laptops will be slightly more expensive than current laptop prices at first (but not by much, since they'll want people to actually buy them).