Deciding between AMD Turion models...

I'm giving serious thought to buying a notebook within the next two weeks and have a budget of ~$800CDN out the door. Based on current pricing it looks like HP/Compaq AMD-based models are the most appropriate (e.g.: HP dv2000/dv6000). The premium for a Core Duo/Core 2 Duo model carry to much of a premium...

Anyway, at this price point the processor options are most commonly the 1.6GHz TL-50 and 1.7Ghz TK-53. From the specs on HP's site both are X2 dual-core processors with 2x256KB L2 cache. From a performance standpoint, that's a 100MHz gap, which isn't much. I understand the TL series is more efficient but I don't know if that would translate into any measurable improvement in battery life. Would there be a preference to either processor?

Also, what are the general feelings on HP's 14.1" and 15.4" WXGA displays (both BrightView with a resolution of 1280x800)? Is there a preference for either?

For those interested, my usage is general web stuff, documents and some digital image editing (5MB dSLR images in Photoshop Elements 5). If the integrated video will handle the odd game at low-res/low-quality then so be it... but it's not a requirement.

Thanks.

 

The TK-53 would be the better choice over the TL-50 considering it has the 100MHz speed advantage plus is manufactured based on the 65nm process compared to the 90nm on the TL-50. The manufacturing process has litle advantage to the end end user but the smaller process should slightly improve the heat output & reduce the power consumption.

As for as the screen is concerned, the 14.1" screen allows for better mobility. If you are carrying around the notebook with you on a daily basis the smaller screen is going to make a big difference in terms of surface area as well as the weight. The 15.4" is going to be much better if you use the notebook on a desk and only have to occasionally carry it. Both screens might not be ideal if you are editing high res images and for your other uses either system should do fine. Just make sure to get 1GB+ RAM if you are using Vista.

 

Thanks for the tips. I didn't realize that the TK series Turions have a smaller die size. There's a few HP dv2xxx an dv6xxx models i'm looking at right now - all below $800CDN. I need to first sort out if I want something more portable w/ a 14.1" display or opt for the bigger 15.4" display and deal with a notebooks that's maybe a bit less portable.

 

Lower end mobile 65nm AMDs have absolutely no consumer advantage, and share the same higher cache latency as their new desktop counterparts. The power requirements and heat output of the new low-end Tylers are identical to power requirements and heat output of the older low-end 90nm Trinidads and Taylors.

You won't start noticing a big difference in heat output until you reach the higher end models. 90nm's keep getting hotter and hotter as they go up in performance, while 65nm remain pretty much the same. The 2x100MHz will likely offset any performance differences you notice due to the cache latency, so in that regard, it's a better buy. But other than that, there's no real difference between lower end 65nm's and 90nm's.

If they are the same price, I would go with the dv2xxx series over the dv6xxx series. Same basic hardware put into a smaller package.

 

All of the models i'm looking at are $799CDN. I was leaning towards to the dv2xxx series for the reduced size/weight, but a second look at the specs list the pre-installed OS is Windows MCE, which i'm not too sure about... doing some reading now. The dv6xxx models i'm looking at all ship with Vista Home Premium, but they're of course a little larger/heavier with the 15.4" WXGA.

 

Unfortunately, the TK model is 1.7Ghz, while the TL model is 1.8Ghz so the choice is not so clear. Having in mind the minute gains from the 65nm process in the low end models, I would go with the TL 1.8GHz. Actually, this is what I'm going to do as I plan on buying the dv6000z or V6000z.

 

HP/Compaq doesn't seem to offer the BTO/CTO stuff in Canada, so i'm stuck buying from retail chains and it seems that the available models change daily. For example, the 14.1" WXGA w/ TL-50 I was looking is no longer available... only the dv6xxx series with 15.4" WXGA w/ TL-50 or TK-53 are the options now (Best Buy).

 

Well, I came across another dv2xxx in my price range this weekend... 14.1" w/ TK-53 and Vista Home Premium. I'm tempted, but i'm a little hesitant on the AMD-based models after reading a few reports re: battery life. Most seem to indicate that with a Turion X2 the 6-cell battery can barely provide 2hrs (2:15 seems to be most common) under moderate usage. Other reports re: comparable Intel Core Duo powered models seem to hit about 3hrs on the same 6-cell battery. I know there's the 12-cell option out there but I think it would detract from initial size/weight of the dv2xxx, which is what appealed to me in the first place.

Anyway, i'm debating on jumping on the dv2xxx now and just dealing with the relatively low battery life or waiting for a sale on Core Duo model... not sure. At the moment, most of the Intel models are around the $999CDN price point. :\

 

its up to you really and what u expect out of it

 

True enough. I'm going over various scenarios where the 2hrs 15mins of the AMD-based models would be undesirable, and if it is, would the ~3hrs of a Core Duo model really make much of a difference in the end. Ultimately, if the ~45min advantage of the Core Duo still leaves me stranded w/o power then i'd need to consider the 12-cell regardless of the CPU anyway... in that case, I might as well go for the Turion as it's $200 cheaper.

One last question tho. With the 6-cell battery, is there a real world/measurable difference between TK-xx and TL-xx Turion in terms of battery life?