The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Which laptop configuration offers superior multitasking performance?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by The Streets, Dec 28, 2009.

  1. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Config 1

    CPU: Core 2 Duo P7450 (2.13GHz, 1066MHz, 3MB)
    RAM: 4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
    HDD: 5400rpm SATA


    Config 2

    CPU: Core 2 Duo ULV SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800MHz, 3MB)
    RAM: 4096MB 1067MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048]
    HDD: 7,200rpm SATA


    Main tasks will include the following: Internet browsing and YouTube, listening to and downloading music from iTunes, photo viewing and watching DivX/DVD video in Windows Media Player.

    In addition:I like to play Company of Heroes and Flight Simulator X occasionally, so superior gaming performance is also a factor. Plus, AVG runs periodic background scans, so it's important my new laptop doesn't take a performance hit while it's running.


    Thanks for reading and for your advice.
     
    The Streets, Dec 28, 2009
    #1
  2. dtwn

    dtwn C'thulhu fhtagn

    Reputations:
    2,431
    Messages:
    7,996
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Config 2 is out for FSX. FSX is rather hard on CPUs. Size of HDD also matters, as larger, slower drives can sometimes compete with smaller, faster drives in performance.
     
    dtwn, Dec 28, 2009
    #2
  3. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    613
    Messages:
    6,705
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    we need more information first... like what laptop's are they etc... and what GPU's they have... but for superior multi tasking , the one with P7450 is better... can't tell u more without more info... but if u want a laptop for super superior multi tasking , get one with core i7...
     
    sean473, Dec 28, 2009
    #3
  4. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

    Reputations:
    7,279
    Messages:
    10,304
    Likes Received:
    2,878
    Trophy Points:
    581
    LOL LOL :)
     
    Cloudfire, Dec 28, 2009
    #4
  5. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I suggest the first configuration - the CPU should be much more powerful.

    RAM and the HDD are ever so slightly weaker but not much.

    Your multi tasking will be handled by a singled core too as far as I am aware ;) my old Pentium M was running several things too - I do not advise you get a single core though.
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 28, 2009
    #5
  6. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thanks for the feedback fellas. Looks like Config 1 is the people's champion! ;)

    Here it is (sole exception: going for 9-cell battery)

    GPU is 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330
     
    The Streets, Dec 28, 2009
    #6
  7. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I'd say looks good :)

    You are from the UK? (The power cord)
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 28, 2009
    #7
  8. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    If the hard drive in the first configuration is a Seagate 5400.6 it will be very slow with multi tasking. So make sure you get a good hard drive. 7200 RPM is not necessarily faster than 5400 RPM.
     
    Phil, Dec 28, 2009
    #8
  9. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    How do I know which one it is?
     
    The Streets, Dec 28, 2009
    #9
  10. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Spec Sheets (unlikely - unless its a configurable Dell, where they state it) - else, look up reviews.

    For some laptops its easy to find out, for other's its difficult.

    Might help if you name the laptop :)
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 28, 2009
    #10
  11. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    See post #6 :)
     
    The Streets, Dec 28, 2009
    #11
  12. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I used to look at that... and sadly its no help :( looking at the manual Dell configuration doesn't help either... grr... googling at the moment.

    Edit:
    Seems impossible to tell, as you have no choice I suggest you just keep the drive, no need to update it immediately.
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 28, 2009
    #12
  13. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Fair enough. Cheers for your efforts, much appreciated.
     
    The Streets, Dec 28, 2009
    #13
  14. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    You're welcome.

    There is one thing you could try :)

    Ask in the Dell Subforum if anybody owns one and what HDD it has :) - if someone has the laptop he/she will be able to tell.

    It think the problem here is that most reviews aren't too technical...
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 28, 2009
    #14
  15. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    613
    Messages:
    6,705
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    if u really want to multi task , and play games like the latest ones , i recommend the studio 17(17 inch ) with core i7-720qm and ATI 4650 card... it's a future proof system and multi tasking is no problem... if u want a smaller version , Studio XPS 16 (15 or 16 inch ) with core i7 and ATI 4670... however if u want a cheaper config , the Hp DV6t quad edition is a nice choice... comes with core i7 and NVDIA GT230M... no problems with any of ur tasks and should be cheap...
     
    sean473, Dec 29, 2009
    #15