13.3" Toshiba intel based U405 vs AMD based U405d

All else being equal besides one having C2D T5550 and intel x3100 for $799, and the other having AMD RM-70 and ATI HD3100 for $749....which one would be the better buy?

Another thing I am trying to confirm with no luck lately due to lack of info on these on the web is this.... specs are identical except for the cpu/video, but I think the AMD based one may have a different LCD screen in it. The intel based one had that bright eye popping wow screen mentioned in the first full review of those on here a few months ago, really stood out from the crowd. The AMD based one looked merely average at best. Makes me wonder if the actual panels are different or if it is just the difference in default video settings in the drivers since they are different video chips.

 

I don't think the video hardware would have an effect on screen quality. I suppose it's possible that Toshiba switched LCD suppliers, though. Were they both set to full brightness when you were looking at them? If you pull up the "Plug and Play Monitor" panel out of the device manager and select the "Details" tab you can compare the device identifiers, assuming you have access to both machines. My Intel-based Satellite Pro U400 has an "LPL2601" panel, which I believe is from LG if that helps.

The AMD unit will have better 3D graphics performance thanks to the HD3100. If you're not going to be doing any gaming then it's probably a wash, but $50 is $50 as long as you can get the screen business sorted out.

 

FYI, Fry's has the AMD Turion RM-70-equipped version on sale for $699.99.

 

The AMD has better video and the touchpad is cooler when I tried them both yesterday. Also, the memory bus is 800Mhz compare to 667Mhz on the Intel. You can try them at a store and make the decision. the Intel version has the LGPhillips screen, so bring some tool like PC Wizard ( www.cpuid.com) on a usb drive and stick it in to find out what screen the AMD version has.

 

Hmm... No real benchmarks regarding the AMD CPU surfaced yet. In terms of IGP; if the HD 3100 isnt that much of a downtuned HD 3200 it would definitely be better than the X3100!

The screen thing is very interesting (and worrying..) though, I hope we can get some clear info on that!

 

I havent had a chance to go back to the stores yet. I may have some time in the morning before I fly out again for a few days (aircrew). What I did happen to notice is someone picked up one of the AMD ones and has been running some tests with it in the ETA on puma thread (Eaglerapids). I think he mentioned it had a Samsung panel in it. It appears maybe there are different panels floating around in these. I could see it both ways though. Either using the same panel in more units to save cost, or maybe they purchase large enough amounts of panels where they actually would put a lesser panel in the AMD models since those are typicly the more budget type ones. At either rate, I noticed a definent difference between the 2. The intel one looked really nice, and the AMD one was just meh, strictly average.


The C2D one for $799 is an office depot clearance price, with several in stock. Maybe I'll walk in one of these days soon and see the price knocked down another $100 or 2 and still one available in the box. $599 would be nice as that seems to be what the typical better after rebate sale prices have been on past 13.3" toshibas. Granted they are past and lesser machines, but also gotta keep in mind progress and all, so $599 clearance wouldnt be unreasonable I think. Or even $599 on sale for the AMD ones.

 

Is run time on battery also a consideration? The Intel hardware is likely to perform better in this respect (at a guess, an extra hour on battery).

John