Centrino vs. Core Duo?

CrunchDude · 31st January 2007

Hi everyone...I'm trying to decide between a T43p and a T60 for my new laptop. How much of a difference is the Centrino vs. the Core Duo? Let's say both have a 1.8GHz, one is Centrino, one Core Duo. Where's the benefit/difference and why?

Thanks to everyone.

**Steve R Jones** · 31st January 2007

www.intel.com would be a good place to look.

CrunchDude · 31st January 2007

Yea, I looked at the comparison chart and read up on it quite thoroughly. However, Intel is a biased source, of course, so they're trying to sell the new CPU. I was hoping for some real-life experiences and/or expertise by some of you guys.

I don't do any gaming, and Intel's site talks a lot about how great it is for that. Obviously it's a faster processor, but I wanted to know if it's like a GIANT leap, or more of a marketing thing.

For example, let's say there is a 2GHz Pentium M Centrino and a 2GHz Core Duo. How is the Core Duo better and is it really noticeable or just measurably different? Also, does Vista somehow run better on it or take better advantage of the Core Duo than XP?

Thanks everyone!!!

**ReggieB** · 31st January 2007

The thing about dual core is the ability to do two things at once. So doing one task, both CPUs will give very similar performances. Where you will notice it is during occasions where the CPU is busy carrying out a task, other tasks won't be impacted as greatly with a dual core. So if you save a large Word file, the file won't be saved much faster, but the internet radio broadcast you're listening to at the same time will be less likely to start stuttering during the save.

It's not the performance of the intensive tasks that's improved but rather the fact that less intensive tasks don't have to wait for the intensive tasks to finish.

Get the dual core!

CrunchDude · 1st February 2007

Thanks for everyone for your input!

I'm psyched about getting my new Thinkpad!

CrunchDude · 23rd February 2007

Hey everyone. So I have my wonderful new Thinkpad T43p all updated and it works great. Due to my excellent connections I have with IBM, I have the opportunity to grab up a T60 (Core Duo) with an SXGA+ display. So I have a couple of new questions:

1. This is a Pentium M-only question: How much of a difference is a Pentium M 1.86GHz vs. a P M 2.13GHz. Should I see the difference? Is it noticeable or merely measurable.

2. The Pentium M IS the the Centrino, right? I heard from someone sometime ago about some negative aspect about the Centrino, but I forgot what he said as his English was poor. Is there anything negative/problematic about it??

3. If I got this T60 with the Core Duo in the 1.8 to 2.3GHz range, would I really see a tremendous difference between that and my P M 2.13GHz? If so, how?

4. Alternatively, how would a Core Duo at 1.66GHz stack up against a P M 2.13GHz?

Thanks so much for your input!!