intel core 2 due T6500 vs P7350 ?

I'm looking at buying one of the new Sony Vaio NWs. The 2 models I'm looking at are $800 and $1000. The cheaper version has the T6500 processor (2.10 ghz, 2 mb l2 cache, 800 mhz) and the intel gma 4500 for its graphics. It also has a 320 gb hd. The more expensive version has the P7350 processor (2.0 ghz, 3 mb l2 cache, 1066 mhz), the ATI Mobility Radeon HD4570 graphics card with 512MB of VRAM, and a 400 gb hd.

I can't see myself using this for gaming as I use my actual game system for that. I'll be watching blu-rays and streaming hd content. Other than that, I will be using the laptop for normal computing (internet, music, word processing, etc). So I guess I am wondering if I would be fine with the $800 model or if I should go for the more expensive one. Are the processors very different in terms of performance, speed, and battery life?

Thanks.

 

The $800 model has the 4500MHD, which is perfectly capable of HD video playback. If you're not gaming, save yourself some money and battery life, and get the cheaper option.

 

thank you...what about the different processors? is there a significant performance gap between the two?

 

There is in some cases due to the increased L2 cache, but for what you are looking at using it for you wouldn't notice any difference. Neither would most people to be honest.

 

Also, how much more battery life would I get with the intel gma 4500?

 

Benchmarks indicate you'll probably get a little more than an hour of extra life compared to the ATi card.

 

The 4570 runs on max 15 Watts. I can't find figures on the GMA 4500 power usage, but I guess it's going to be pretty small, lets for arguments sake say 3Watts. We'll assume that the laptop will have a 6 cell 56 WHr battery and that the rest of the system uses 26W

Lets assume the rest of the system uses 26W.

56WHr battery / 26W + 3W = 1 hours and 55 minutes.

Now let's add on a 4570 at max load (15W)

56WHr battery / (26W+15W) = 1 hour 21 minutes.

Now obviously as you are concerned about battery life you'll probably have a host of features switched off or down to a low performance setting, so that 26W is probably over egging it. Also, you might have a bigger battery, or one with a higher mAh, which translates into longer battery life.

 

The $1000 system looks great in my personal opinion ... especially if you ever decide to play some games on the go or work in graphically intense programs (something the integrated solution you mentioned won't be able of pulling off too good at all times).

But if you are absolutely sure that you won't be using the notebook for any gpu intensive tasks, then go with the $800 option.
It should also produce slightly better battery life as well.

Ultimately, carefully wage on what you intend to use the laptop for, and if your priorities might change in the future (because a lot of people sometime end up switching to laptops as they are more convenient in terms of transport and power consumption compared to desktop counterparts).