One Last CPU Question.

I have the option between a beautiful 18" laptop with a geforce 230m, 4gb DDR3 ram, etc, but it only has a T6600 Processor.

On the other hand, i have a chance at a 230m, a P8700 processor, 4 gb DDR2 ram, but its only on a 15" screen.

What im wondering is, with the T6600 processor (even if overclocked) bottleneck my system too early on the first computer, OR will it be just fine and handle my gaming/etc needs?

Does the P8700 give an EXTREME power boost over what the T6600 does?

Thanks in advance.

 

The P8700 is around 20% more powerful then the T6600 , but it is more power efficient also.

 

Depends what games you play. For most games, there won't be much of a benefit with the P8700.

 

I will be using the computer for the next 2 years or so before an upgrade. I wanted something less than 1000$, and the two i found that i really like one has the P8700 and one has the T6600. The overall differences make the both computers equal in my mind, but i dont want to risk having the T6600 fail me power wise.

Let alone, the P8700 saves more battery life, you say?

Edit: I also plan on doing a lot of computing based tasks, which would seem to help from the P8700, like video converting etc.

 

Laptop gaming is bottlenecked by the GPU so any CPU should be fine if you're getting a new laptop in 2 years.

I think you should throw out any expectations about battery life if you're getting a desktop replacement laptop with an 18" screen.

 

Very good points. I was just thinking the P8700 came on a 16" screen, and im afraid that an 18.4" screen just might be too big. Like, putting it on your lap to use isnt too annoying if its heavy, but 18.4"... would that be too big?

 

You simply don't put an 18.4" notebook (maybe I shouldn't have used the term laptop...) on your lap. I have reservations about using anything above a 15.4" on my lap, so IMO a 16" is already stretching it, but hey, everyone has their own preferences.

I thought you preferred an 18" notebook though, since you used the adjective "beautiful". Just in case you're not completely clear as to what you're getting yourself into:

An 18" notebook is not portable. Don't try to use it any place you wouldn't use a desktop in (meaning a table is necessary), and don't expect to take it any further than between the bedroom and the living room or between the house and the car. If you want to move around while carrying your laptop, an 18" is simply out of the question.

If you go to LAN parties a lot, then an 18" notebook is great, but if you want to use it in the airport or bring it with you on vacation or something, then you need something smaller.

 

Well, i mean i'll be using it at lan parties, at the home, on the bed, on the table, and when i'm visiting the girlfriend. She is in NYC, and there is no table space.

The entire time i was thinking about the two laptops, i had these two:

#1: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115681

#2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220560

The 18.4" Screen (#1) has a decently lower processor (T6600), a higher graphics card (240m), the ram is DDR3, which is an advantage, and it seems a higher resolution. It made me happy knowing that the viewing (movies or what not) would be better and great. Laying down watching a movie would be great, with or without the girlfriend.

Then, theres the 16" one. The processor is way better (P8700, quicker, less energy, better if i choose to overclock). The ram is DDR2, which isnt too much slower, and the graphics card is a little lower, a 220m. However, it only has to go over a 16" screen, which is more portable, and etc.

I was having trouble choosing which one to pick, but an 18" screen just seems to be too difficult. I mean, would it even fit in my backpack? >D

Thanks for helping so far. Mind is finally being made.

 

First of all, the 2 laptops have different GPU's, and neither has a 230m, just in case this influences your final decision

Sounds good.

Not gonna happen with either laptop - you don't want to block the vents.

Sounds good.

Well, if you pick the 18" laptop, then I hope you like lying on the floor for extended periods of time, because that's where you'll be using it.

The Acer does have a higher resolution screen, but then again...

Neither laptop has a Blu-ray drive. Of course, if you get all your videos via digital distribution, it doesn't matter, but I should mention this just in case.

The way you plan to watch movies with your gf also worries me, as both of these laptops (and in general, nearly all laptops) have crappy TN screens. If you're not sitting dead center in front of the screen, the picture quality is horrible. Of course, if there's 2 of you, then you already can't be dead center in front of the screen, and the lying down part only compounds the problem further.

Doesn't your gf have an HDTV you can hook the laptop up to?

Probably not, but I don't know what kind of backpack you have.

NP

Honestly I don't really like either laptop as both have some issue that detracts from the overall package and I'm sure you can get recommendations for something much better than either laptop for that price if you ask in the "What notebook should I buy" forum. For instance, Best Buy has (had?) a 15" Asus laptop with a GTX 260M for just under $1000 (I can't remember exactly what it's called, but it's quite popular around here so it shouldn't be too hard to find out), so that would be the best option if gaming is the priority. Even if gaming is not the priority, the people on the "What notebook should I buy" forum should be able to help you find your dream laptop.