Help choosing cheap laptops. (Also question about AMD and Intel processors)

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>I'm looking for a cheaper laptop for college and I have narrowed it down to about 3 choices.</p>

<p>Acer</a> Aspire AS5535-5452 Notebook PC - AMD Athlon X2 QL-64 2.1GHz, 3GB DDR2, 320GB HDD, DL DVDRW, 15.6" WXGA, Vista Home Premium LX.AUA0X.343 at TigerDirect.com
Price: 499.99</p>

<p>Costco</a> - Hot Buy Toshiba 15.4"W AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core (2.16GHz) ATI Radeon 3100 Graphics
Price: 469.99</p>

<p>Costco</a> - Toshiba 17"W T3400 2.16GHz 3GB DDR2 250GB HDD
Starting 6/29/09 we have coupon to make it 499.99</p>

<p>From what I have seen online, the Intel GMA 4500 graphics card is noticeably worse than the ATI Radeon 3100 and 3200. I am really tempted to buy either the Acer or the Toshiba with the radeon card. My dad repeatedly interjects to me that AMD motherboards suck while Intel ones don't. </p>

<p>While he is in the business of computer chips, I want a second opinion on the 2 companies since I think he might be biased.</p>

<p>Toshiba w/ AMD dual core
Pros:
It's from Costco and their return policy's really good
ATI Radeon: good for playing games
Smaller weight
Basically fits my needs
Toshiba has supposedly reliable laptops</p>

<p>Cons:
Dad might get annoyed that I didn't go with his choice
Not as big screen
Not as much memory (pretty much moot since I do have a 500gb portable HD)</p>

<p>Toshiba w/ Intel Core duo
Pros:
Costco and return policy
Bigger screen
Webcam and Microphone
Fits my needs except for maybe gaming on the go
Toshiba has supposedly reliable laptops</p>

<p>Con:
Stupid Intel GMA 4500 (I would like most of its computers if not for the integrated graphics)
Heaviest</p>

<p>Acer
Pros
ATI Radeon: good for playing games
Smaller weight
Basically fits my needs
Specs a bit higher end than Toshiba (more memory, better graphics card)</p>

<p>Cons:
Not costco so might be iffy if want to return (time lag and general reliability)
Not familiar with Acer quality</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Also: what does this mean?
Atheros Wireless LAN 802.11b/g </p>

<p>Acer has this:<br>
V.92
WIFI
802.11b
802.11g
802.11n</p>

<p>Also, I'm planning on using this laptop on a day to day basis. Taking notes, carrying around to my classes, etc. I'm planning on having a more powerful desktop in my dorm room. While games aren't terribly important, I might feel like playing games outside or just when I'm with friends?</p>

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<p>first things first: 17" monitors are not very portable. what are your thoughts on 13" machines?</p>

<p>as for amd vs intel: at the moment intel consistenly outperforms amd chips. however, that doesn’t mean that amd chipsets are crap–they just aren’t completely on par with intel products these days.</p>

<p>as for graphics, both cards are very medium range as far as laptop video cards go. that is to say, dont expect anything too special. i dont think they’re worth it if you have other options.</p>

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<p>I don’t really want a netbook though since the keyboards are much smaller and I don’t want to strain my eyes more than necessary.<br>
I agree that the 17 in might be too big if I want it to fit comfortably in my backpack. Oh, so intel actually does have a documented performance edge over amd? I guess that’ll be another factor in my decision</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

4

<p>Dedicated graphics card and a $500 price range means AMD needs to be a serious consideration. I’ve liked the Toshibas I’ve used and Costco’s return policy is awesome.</p>

<p>If you decide to go with the Acer, I would recommend Amazon and not TigerDirect-just better overall service and same price.</p>

5

<p>13" notebooks aren’t netbooks at all. I’d go to the store and check them out. They really are not as small as you’d think, and the size difference is extremely easy to get used to.</p>

<p>i have the HP 13" and the keyboard is the exact same size as a normal keyboard minus the extra sections on the right side. the resolution on 13" monitors is very appropriate, and you dont strain your eyes to read. at all.</p>

6

<p>HD 3200 is also integrated.</p>

7

<p>None of those computers have a dedicated graphics card.</p>

<p>They would all be about the same for games.</p>

8

<p>I believe (correct me if I’m wrong) that Intel is only documented to be faster than AMD when comparing the Core 2 Duo chipset to the AMD 64 x2 chipset. I think Core duo is rather anemic >_></p>

<p>in regards to your wireless dilemma, here’s the nitty gritty. All wireless networks operate on frequencies, and generally, the most mainstream ones are B (older), and G (most routers you buy will use these). The "Atheros Wireless LAN 802.11b/g " simply means that it can connect to both B & G networks.</p>

<p>However, a new type of Wifi is emerging, called Draft-N. N networks have much larger range and transmission speeds, but there hasn’t really been a set standard yet (hence “draft”), meaning that there is a SLIGHT chance that the wifi on the Acer would be rendered moot (i would compare the chances of that happening to the chances of stumbling across a free Cadillac)</p>

9

<p>Intel mobile chips outperform AMD chips in terms of power consumption and performance. AMD still uses their K-8 architecture in their mobile chips which dates back to 2003. Intel has had several generations of improvements in their mobile chips.</p>

<p>AMD has updated their architecture for desktop and server chips but their new architecture hasn’t made it down to their mobile chips.</p>

<p>In general nVidia and ATI do a better job on graphics processors. This may change when Intel introduces Larrabee but that’s a year or two away.</p>

<p>Perhaps you could find an Intel-powered laptop with ATI graphics.</p>