Core 2 Duo

[XsteR]

i'm in the market for a new laptop and i have a dilemma. i can either buy a Core Duo laptop right now (an Asus F3jm) or wait a while for Core 2 Duo to hit boutique vendors (as of now, only the biggies like Dell and HP offer Core 2 Duo). I would buy the HP DV6000 but the graphics card it offers (7400 go) is just a tad too poor for what i need to accomplish. is it worth it to wait for Core 2 Duo or should i just get the Asus now?

 

[Pabster]

Merom rocks. If you're willing to spend the premium, go for it. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Rob9874]

If you can hold out, you'll be glad you waited. I was ready buy last month, and held out for the Dell I ordered this week.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Is 10-20% more performance & 64-bit compatibility worth waiting for? If so, wait. If not, don't.

 

[corkyg]

I will wait for Merom - maybe next year. But, moreover, I want a built-in eSATA port on my next laptop. I find that actually more important to me and my usage than a 20% performance increase.

 

[stash182]

at the least, we can expect a drop in the prices of Core Duo notebooks, can't we?

 

[Ayah]

Santa Rosa is coming!

 

[corkyg]

There is always something coming.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: stash182
at the least, we can expect a drop in the prices of Core Duo notebooks, can't we?

Not really. Prices are already dirt cheap and in notebooks that used the higher Core Duo models (T2400 & up), you will only see the OEM-only Core Duo T2050/T2250 as the budget dual core chip and Core 2 Duo from there.

 

[ericboo]

I just got my E1505 with 1.83 Core Duo, 1GB ram, DVDRW, 80gb drive and Intel graphics for $750 and change, two weeks ago. I did not see the point of waiting and spending extra on the Core 2 Duo when I needed something now.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Is 10-20% more performance & 64-bit compatibility worth waiting for? If so, wait. If not, don't.

You're not likely to see a 10-20% increase in performance in real-world situations. 64-bit compatibility is nice, but not used unless you have a 64-bit OS.

See this article which compares the new Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M65 laptop against a MacBookPro and another Dell Precision using the old Core Duo processor. No doubt it kicks butt, but I don't know that I would purchase one if I already had a Core Duo-based laptop.

In fact, this Core 2 Duo laptop is the fastest we've ever tested here, although we wouldn't go so far as to call it 20% faster than its Core Duo-packing predecessor.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Is 10-20% more performance & 64-bit compatibility worth waiting for? If so, wait. If not, don't.

You're not likely to see a 10-20% increase in performance in real-world situations. 64-bit compatibility is nice, but not used unless you have a 64-bit OS.

See this article which compares the new Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M65 laptop against a MacBookPro and another Dell Precision using the old Core Duo processor. No doubt it kicks butt, but I don't know that I would purchase one if I already had a Core Duo-based laptop.

In fact, this Core 2 Duo laptop is the fastest we've ever tested here, although we wouldn't go so far as to call it 20% faster than its Core Duo-packing predecessor.

Eh, that's why I said 10-20%. It varies, but is faster depending what you're doing.

And you can now get C2D starting at $720 from Dell...

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
And you can now get C2D starting at $720 from Dell...

Nice! It's still a Dell, but that's a great price.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
And you can now get C2D starting at $720 from Dell...

Nice! It's still a Dell, but that's a great price.

Of course they're reserving priority for XPS purchasers, as all the Inspiron C2D options say "may delay your ship date."

 

[aakerman]

The CPU might be 10-20% faster (MAXIMUM- didn't anandtech report 5-10?) but the system as a whole surely won't feel 20% faster.

I'm waiting, but only because I hope vendors (apple) will take the chance to upgrade the other hardware as well.

 

[san9]

I don't seem to be able to find a C2D at Dell for $720 or so. I can only find one near that price that says C2D can be an option (upgrade) and the graphics card that is compatible with it is a bit more costly too. Can someone point me in the direction for a notebook with a C2D under a grand? TIA!

Can someone also tell me the minimum memory/ RPM's that work alright with the new C2D's?

 

[Rob9874]

I can configure it. Configure the cheapest basic E1505, which is $629 base, and add the lowest C2D for $100. $729. Proceed to checkout.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I can configure it. Configure the cheapest basic E1505, which is $629 base, and add the lowest C2D for $100. $729. Proceed to checkout.

Bingo. On the main Dell page choose Notebooks and browse the Home section. Pick the E1505, add Core 2 Duo, total $729

 

[san9]

Thanks Rob9874 and fbrdphreak!
Is there any major difference in performance if I go with the basic vs the next one up in price?