comparing Intel CPUs- newbie question

[imported_nb]

A newbie question-
I plan to buy a laptop and so began checking the processors available from Intel. Can someone let me know (or point me to a website) what the difference is between
1. Intel Pentium M processor
2. Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor
3. Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor-M

I looked at their specs (on Intel's website) but couldn't really figure out why I should prefer one over the other.
Also, any opinions regarding going for an AMD processor rather than a pentium are welcome.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[beatle]

Welcome to the forum, nb.

2 and 3 are really the same thing. Pentium Ms run at a lower clockspeed, but have 1 or 2MB of cache, consume less power, and are actually faster than the P4-M. You'll also see Centrino laptops. That just means the laptop includes a Pentium M, Intel 855 chipset, and Intel's 802.11b/g wireless.

This site has more info on the CPU differences, and PowerNotebooks.com has some good info on Centrino and its "importance."

 

[ssvegeta1010]

2 and 3 are although 3 may have a little less power consumption and performance.
1 has the best performance per clock and more battery life and low heat output

i would go for a Pentium M or a "Centrino" (P-M with Intel Chipset and Wi-Fi card)

 

[stevty2889]

The Pentium-M is a better performer for laptops, less power consumption, better battery life, and clock for clock, it's faster than a P4-M. The Pentium-M is a differant architecture than a Pentium 4-M, and like the athlon 64 does more work per cycle, at a lower clock speed. The pentium 4-m, are just Pentium 4's that can run on a lower voltage.
2 and 3 are the same thing.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Dont think about the mobile P4's. The "centrino" as some people call it (actually the Pentium M) is a much better performer and also has leaps and bounds better power savings

 

[dc5]

i agree with everyone that the pentium m is the better buy (less battery comsumption, less heat etc.) however, if you need the most powerful laptop, it will have to be the pentium 4.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: dc5
i agree with everyone that the pentium m is the better buy (less battery comsumption, less heat etc.) however, if you need the most powerful laptop, it will have to be the pentium 4.

I disagree, the Pentium M bests the P4 in alot of things