Thinkpad - Intel or AMD ?

hi,

I've been looking for an 11.6" laptop for casual use and the thinkpad edge 11 seems 'perfect' but I'm torn between the AMD or Intel. (AMD II Neo Dual-Core K345 or Intel i3-380UM). I would have 6Gb RAM with either config.

This seems to be a very good article:
Review Lenovo Edge 11: Athlon Neo II K325 vs. Core i3 380UM - Notebookcheck.net Reviews
Seems that Intel is 46% faster, PCMarkVantage. (I'm not concered about 3D graphics/gaming)

However I'm not sure how these benchmarks translate into real world use.

Is the AMD more than enough for casual use (surfing, Skype viewing HD Video, Quickpar, etc) and most importantly does it show any unresponsiveness when opening apps/windows.

On the other hand, is the Intel i380um fast enough for light work use (database dev, oracle express, tomcat,vmware).

Am I overreaching to consider it for work, in which case should I settle for the AMD or intel for causal general use ? The only comparison I have is the Macbook Air 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, which seems fine for general use. Any advice appreciated.

thanks

 

I would get the Edge 11 with the Intel processor, the battery life is longer, faster, and generate less heat. The major issue here is the heat on the AMD processor.

 

System responsiveness is generally more related to the hard drive more so than the CPU. The Airs use SSDs, which are more responsive than the platter based drives you'll find in the Lenovo machines. I guess if it were me, I'd lean toward the Intel unless there's a compelling reason to go with AMD, like price. Historically, the issue with AMD based machines is they run hotter. You're either left with a toasty machine or a fan that runs constantly to keep the lid on the heat. Plus you're getting less performance and battery life.

 

Thanks alot for the info. Looks like I'll place my order for the Intel

Though from the article, it seems that the AMD upto an hour more battery life (admittedly under light use only)

Review Lenovo Edge 11: Athlon Neo II K325 vs. Core i3 380UM - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

One last question, I have the following configuration options for wireless, but they all seem very similar, any thoughts on which to go for ? (one thing to take into account is that I may want to try Linux. so compatibility is important)


Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters


Default = ThinkPad b/g/n
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 (1X2 BGN) [ £2.92]
ThinkPad a/b/g/n [ £9.72]

 

I am pretty sure Linux runs fine.

 

Keeping in mind we don't discuss OS X on PC here. Chose your words wisely.

 

no worries, edited post.

Any idea of which of these wireless options are the best, they look the same (is there any benefit to 802.11a /)


Default = ThinkPad b/g/n
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 (1X2 BGN) [ £2.92]
ThinkPad a/b/g/n [ £9.72]

 

Get the intel one, they have better driver support.

Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 (1X2 BGN) [ £2.92]

 

Intel has traditionally run cooler, consumed less energy, overall run faster. AMD processors have been fine, but mobile Intel has always dominated AMD.

 

Let's just say Intel only keeps AMD around just so the government doesn't come in and break there monopoly.

I wish I could work for Intel after I get my degree.

 

truckid,

If you're only looking at the two versions you listed, then I would go with the Intel version.

My work gave me the AMD version and boy did that thing get hot!!! Stay away from it.

But have you looked at the new laptops with AMD E-350 APUs? These news ones are a lot better in terms of heat and graphics performance. But comparing CPU performance, I don't recall right now. There are plenty of reviews out there.

What degree are you studying for, if you don't mind me asking?

BTW: Intel is pretty hard to get into. From what I heard, a great company to work for!! But like all things, there are positive and negatives. But I think more positivies than negatives. They're doing something (or a lot of things) right over there.

 

I think Intel isn't that easy a company to get into.

Athlon Neo is a last gen AMD mobile CPU. It runs hot and has worse battery life than comparable Intel chips. The new Zacate based E-350's are another story completely, they don't seem available in the Edge 11 though. If you want AMD I'd go with the X120e.

 

I dont really care for graphics, as I don't do any gaming on laptop. As for processer, it seems the the Intel 380UM is still faster than the new AMDs. Just placed the order, should arrive soon

 

You went with the Intel? Good choice. I had the chance to use an AMD L625 and an Intel ULV and what a difference it was. Heat from the AMD was unreal and I believe it caused my system to fry.

Any who, Best of luck!

 

Graphics are used for alot more than gaming.

Everything is moving towards hardware acceleration including HD video playback, Adobe flash, and even the new builds of popular web browsers like Chrome and Firefox are GPU accelerated.

 

While true, fortunately, most of these GPU accelerated apps are supported by the Intel X4500MHD and later graphics chips, so anything with a late-model Core 2 Duo (with Intel 4-series chipset) or newer should accelerate Flash and newer browswers even with Intel integrated graphics.

As for CPU choice --I like AMD for desktop processors, but they still need work in the mobile department. Intel is the best mobile choice for the moment, though AMD has some interesting possibilities in the future.

 

Very true. I have three desktops, all AMD, because I think in the desktop realm, they offer better value. If you need top of the line, then of course get Intel, but be prepared to pay for it.

Laptops are very different. I don't think it's a performance issue, but I'm willing to pay more for a machine that gets better battery life and runs cooler. If AMD came out with such a chip and Lenovo put it in something like the X220 at a discount, I'd buy it. Until AMD fixes those two issued, they'll remain in the budget segment of the market.