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<p>Nope, not necessarily. Both dual-core and quad-core versions for them exist, in both laptop and desktop CPUs. For laptop CPUs, quad cores are denoted with a “Q” in the model name (i5 720QM); anything lacking the “Q” is a dual-core. For desktops, an i5 750/i7 920 and higher are quad cores, and anything lower are dual cores. Also, only i7s have the option to hyperthread.</p>
<p>If you are using CAD, then the UL80 might not meet your needs. Why not a U45JC? Same body but with an i3 and 310M.</p>
<p>Personally, for your needs, I think both the U45JC and the M11x (can’t believe I’m agreeing with an Alienware here) are good laptops for you. The tradeoffs are that the U45JC offer longer battery life with bigger screen while the M11x is more powerful. I think you should try to figure out yourself if you’re willing to trade some power for mobility and a bigger screen, or if you’d rather have pure power.</p>
<p>If you’re willing to spend a bit more, I’d also heavily recommend the HP Envy 14 with a Core i5 450 Dual-Core CPU:</p>
<p>[HP</a> ENVY 14 series | HP Official Store](<a href=“http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do;HHOJSID=HBQDM12QtbgYwzNkzx8vLBq6T2M3TbxTwJJGn01BtN7nRp9XcWqH!1328832058?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Category&v1=ENVY&series_name=ENVY14_series&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/notebooks/ENVY/ENVY14_series]HP”>http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do;HHOJSID=HBQDM12QtbgYwzNkzx8vLBq6T2M3TbxTwJJGn01BtN7nRp9XcWqH!1328832058?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Category&v1=ENVY&series_name=ENVY14_series&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/notebooks/ENVY/ENVY14_series)</p>
<p>Additionally, you should consider a SSD. If you’re going to be carrying your laptop around a lot, SSDs have no moving parts and are much more tolerant to shocks (something as simple as rocking the laptop can induce shock on the HDD). Something else you should consider is backing up all your work files on an external, so if your laptop ever crashes, you don’t lose all your work files. I myself have all my notes and work synced between my laptop, desktop, and storage external (Office 2010 is win!)</p>
<p>And as for a personal preferrence, if I were you, this is the way I would go (money allowing):</p>
<p>Asus U45JC ($869 @ xoticpc, price matching available)
Kingston 64GB Notebook Bundle ($139.99 <a href=“Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more - Newegg.com”>Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV425-S2BN/64GB 2.5" Notebook Bundle 64GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - Newegg.com, comes with 64GB SSD and External Enclosure)</p>
<p>Replace the harddrive with the SSD and put the HDD into the external enclosure, and you now have a U45JC with a 64GB SSD and a 500GB 2.5" external powered by one USB port for $1009.</p>