|
As a notebook dealer, we are constantly bombarded with questions regarding notebook processors. Currently, there are a total of 8 different notebook processors readily available to consumers. With so many choices, consumers have become confused and have many misconceptions. Partly to blame is Intel’s own ill conceived naming process. With names Like Pentium 4, Pentium4-Moblie and Mobile Pentium 4 its no wonder consumers have become so vexed. With help from Maximum PC, American Techpushers intends to bring some clarity to a very murky situation.
The 6 available processors in order are.
Pentium 3 ( P3 )
Pentium 3-Mobile ( P3-M )
Pentium 4 ( P4 )
Pentium 4-M ( P4-M)
Mobile Pentium 4 ( M-P4 )
Centrino/Pentium M ( P-M )
Pentium 3, Bus speed 133MHz, L2 cache 512, Highest clock speed 1.40 GHz.
“Notebook manufactures seeking to save on the price of mobile chips toyed with the original desktop Pentium 3 CPU’S Unfortunately the P-III is infamous for running exceedingly hot in portable devices, and while there are still notebooks bearing P-III chips, the majority are retired.
Pentium III-M. Bus peed 133Mhz, L2 cache 512. Highest clock speed 1.33
“The mobile version or the Pentium III reduced power consumption, and therefore ran much cooler then the desktop version. Through its been essentially replaced by the new Pentium M chips. The Pentium 3 mobile is still in use in very small notebooks.” It runs on a voltage of 1.4 to 1.1 and when on battery it runs from .095 to 1.5 while on battery.
Pentium 4, Bus speed 533 or 800MHz, Highest clock speed 3.0 or 3.06 depending on bus speed.
“This is the full desktop version of the P4 chip, so when dropped in a notebook, its thirst for power wipes out battery life in an amazingly fast time. Nonetheless, it’s fast and powerful, and outpaces the pure mobile P4-M in core clock speed and bus speed. And unlike the P4-M, it boasts Hyper-Threading and either 533 or 800 bus speed.”
Since the P-III ran so hot in notebooks, even the some of the less technology challenged has heard someone say that you should never use a desktop processor in a notebook. It is ultimately the biggest misconception that consumers make. While it is true that the P-III was a huge failure in most portable devices it’s predecessor the Intel Pentium 4 runs much cooler because it runs at a lower voltage and is made from the 0.13 micron technology. Consumers in the market for a laptop should consider a laptop A P4 notebook if they are looking at a notebook that is meant to be desktop replacement or are not concerned with battery run time. Clearly they are the most powerful and notebooks consumers can purchase.
Pentium 4-M, Bus speed 400MHz. L2 cache 512K, Highest Clock speed 2.5Ghz
“Intel’s mobile version of the P4 includes SpeedStep an other power saving features not offered in the desktop version, but it also costs much more and lags behind the desktop chip in terms of features. With Intel pushing the new Pentium M chip in the Centrino platform, and consumers still embracing notebooks with The Pentium 4’s , the Pentium 4-M is headed nowhere despite its significant power savings.”
That grip with many consumers is the Pentium 4 mobile did not offer the significant increase in power savings over the Pentium 3’s to begin with and that some tests even concluded that consumers looking for long battery life the best option still remained the Pentium 3.
Mobile Pentium 4, Bus speed 533MHz. L2 cache 512K. Highest clock speed 3.06
“Bowing to pressure, Intel developed a semi-mobile version of the desktop the desktop Pentium 4. The main difference between the mobile Pentium 4 and the desktop Pentium 4 is about 25 percent lower power consumption and no Hyper-threading support. Oh yeah it cost more too”
Basically the Mobile Pentium 4 is toned down Pentium 4 that is not as powerful and does not come with all the features of the Pentium 4 chip, but offers a slightly greater battery time. Those looking for a powerful chip and are willing to forfeit such features as hyper-threading plus willing to pay premium price for small increment in battery time should consider this chip.
Centrino/Pentium M, Bud speed 400MHz, L2 cache 1MB. Highest clock speed 1.7
“If a notebook as a Centrino label, you will find the new Pentium M chip, The new Intel 855 chipset, and the Intel Pro/Wireless 2100 chip inside. If it’s got the Pentium M logo, its got the same works without the wireless action. Keep in mind that despite the modes clock speed, the huge cache and shorter pipelined architecture allow the 1.6 GHz Pentium M to run in performance numbers similar to 2.4GHz Pentium 4 M ( Not the Mobile Pentium 4) in office benchmarks”
The Pentium M chip is clearly the winner when it comes to battery life. No other chip comes close. Consumers that are looking for long battery life in their notebook should be looking into a notebook that has new Pentium M processor. It is important to note that while notebooks with the new Pentium M chip have scored impressive benchmarks, the results only reflect office applications such as Word, Outlook etc..
Applications like games and 3d programs do not score as well. Power users should consider the P4 or the Mobile P4.
Paragrahps with “” are taken from Maximum PC July issue.
Keith
__________________
www.americnantechpushers.com
www.prostarforums.com
| 
Linear Mode
