<p>Typically, AMD processors are preferred by gamers and price concious computer buyers. AMD processors have a greater potential for over-clocking. Over-clocking is the ability to tweak your computer's motherboard settings to run your processor faster than it's manufacturer's speed rating. So with some experimentation, users can increase the speed of their AMD-based computers (usually for gaming purposes). The downside is that your system may not be as stable as before you started tinkering with the BIOS settings. And you can burn out your processor and motherboard if you push the settings too far.</p>
<p>AMD processors are less expensive than their Intel competition which makes them popular with home builders. Depending on which benchmarking software you use, AMD processors are competitive with Intel units even though AMD rates their processors a bit differently than Intel.</p>
<p>For a more technical explaination, you can Google AMD vs Intel processors and you will get a ton of hits. Way too much info and much of it quite technical. </p>
<p>Re: Celeron processors</p>
<p>Pentium processors run in 32 bit mode. Think about a 32 lane highway to help move traffic around. A Celeron processor runs in 16 bit mode. You can have the same speed rating, but have only half the "throughput". Another factor to consider is the amount of memory that is built into each processor. In chip language, there are L1 and L2 "memory" caches. These caches help store programming instructions to be executed by the computer. The larger your cache, the more instructions can be stored and executed more quickly. The smaller the cache and the fewer "roads" out of town, you get slower "throughput".</p>
<p>Lots of computer people look down on Celeron processors. If you're doing heavy duty gaming or video editing, you'll need a Pentium processor and plenty of memory. For most people, a Celeron processor is fine. Surfing the net, e-mail, word processing, IM and playing back dvds work fine with a Celeron chip and will be a lot more cost effective.</p>
<p>What this boils down to is price. If you're on a serious budget, a Celeron based computer is fine. You may not be able to play the latest games with all their settings maxxed out, but for everything else, a Celeron is not an issue.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks michuncle. Great explanation, as usual!</p>
<p>I'm thinking about waiting for the CX210 before making any purchases. In that case, when do you think the earliest will be until Gateway starts to promote discounts or free upgrades? Is there a certain trend amongst Gateway sales for relatively new computers/laptops? I'm hoping to get this laptop before August and was wondering if I could hope for any type of bonuses before then. Thanks!</p>
<p>The new Gateway Tablet PCs were just announced a few days ago according to Tabletpcbuzz.com. I wouldn't expect any discounts for quite a while. </p>
<p>Check your college's website to see if their computer store has a deal with Gateway. You could get an educational discount come this fall.</p>
<p>While Gateway (and Asus) have announced duo core Tablets, the rest of the Tablet manufacturers should be making announcements soon (Lenovo, Toshiba, HP, Fujitsu and others).</p>
<p>Note: I should mention that a Celeron processor may not be suitable if you're doing any kind of programming compiling, math simulations, economic modeling and the like. Any kind of processor intensive activity calls for a Pentium or AMD FX or higher processor.</p>
<p>I think I'll wait until the CX210 models come out in late May <em>crosses fingers</em>. I don't expect Gateway to implement any cool discounts between May and July, but I'll also have to check out some of the offers from other companies. I'm eternally grateful, michuncle, and if you hear of any news on any Tablet PCs, etc. I would greatly appreciate it if you kept me posted (through this thread). Thanks a bunch!!</p>
<p>Hey, Michuncle, one question--would it be better to get an IBM tablet PC now, or wait till they introduce new ones and pick from those?</p>
<p>If you'll have to do a lot of traveling, make sure you get something light. My first laptop was heavy (but with a big screen and awesome sound) and I didn't think it would bug me, but when you get to college you really want something you can easily carry around, so when my old one died I got what my best friend has, a Dell Inspiron 710, which is teeny tiny and very light weight. The screen is fine, i only wish it had better speakers, but overall it's worth it for the portability.</p>
<p>Makemehappy: I'd wait. There's been some new info about Lenovo releasing a duo core Tablet PC sometime in May (possibly lableled X61).</p>
<p>Like most IBM/Lenovo laptops, it wouldn't be cheap. Still, if you don't need a laptop right away, it would pay to wait to see what the manufacturers have in their product pipeline. </p>
<p>There are two major selling seasons for computers: before school starts in the Fall and Xmas. Waiting can't hurt.</p>
<p>Equine99 is correct. Lighter is better. The heavier your laptop, the more likely it will be sitting on your dorm desk rather than being used in the classroom, your labs or the library.</p>
<p>By the way, isn't Lewisburg the home of the state prison?</p>
<p>haha, yes, it is. I believe maralyn manson spent some time there. It was also mentioned in the movie Blow. At night you can see it from campus. It is also the home of Bucknell University, where I go.</p>
<p>Do you suspect the new Gateway Tablets or any newer Tablets (that may come out soon) will be lighter? I know the aforementioned Gateways (CX200 models) are close to 7 lbs. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Gateway will be reducing the screen size of their Tablets (currently 14 inches), so I'm assuming the weight will stay around the same. Anyway, all the posts have been very helpful, thanks!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.tabletpc2.com/Compare.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.tabletpc2.com/Compare.htm</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.tabletpctalk.com/faqs/comparison/2004.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.tabletpctalk.com/faqs/comparison/2004.php</a></p>
<p><a href="http://pencomputing.com/q-and-a/advice-tpc-for-college.html%5B/url%5D">http://pencomputing.com/q-and-a/advice-tpc-for-college.html</a></p>
<p>The first two links have comparison charts that gives you a lot of info on the manufacturers, the various models, processor chips, weight and battery life. Because stuff comes out so fast, the links may not have the most newest model information. Still it's a good place to start.</p>
<p>The last link is from Pen computer magazine. It's an answer to a question posed by a father whose son will be attending Virginia Tech's engineering dept this fall. The department requires that all incoming students have a Tablet PC. This has cause a lot of controversy (especially from fans of Dell and Apple...neither company having Tablets in their product line-up). </p>
<p>The editors at Pen Computing give a great overview of what to look for in Tablets and weigh in on the new duo core machines that are coming out.</p>
<p>Just bumping this up!</p>
<p>Anyone have any new news about Tablet PCs in general or even the Tablet PCs that Gateway is planning to release?</p>
<p>get compaq. it's awesomo. </p>
<p>don't get a too small one bcuz tho they are cute, it's really hard to use them/.</p>
<p>The new Gateway CX210X with the new Core Duo processor will be released at the end of the month (5/31/06). Until the reviews come out, I would hold off for a few months to see how well it works.</p>
<p>The Intel Core duo Tablets that are already out (Toshiba M400/HP TC4400 (and there are rumors that IBM/Lenovo has a Core Duo due out soon), have gotten good reviews though there seems to be QC problems with the early batches of these laptops. </p>
<p>On the whole, I'd wait awhile before making a purchase of any Core Duo laptop (Tablet or regular notebook). </p>
<p>I'm concerned that the manufacturers are pushing out a lot of new products without a lot of QC going into the process....</p>
<p>no Gateways.</p>
<p>Sonys if you can afford them. if not, Dells are by far the best value for your $$.</p>
<p>I absolutely love the Sony SZ line...but the Dell D620s are equally as good and start out at like $700 cheaper.</p>
<p>I'm just bumping this up to inform anyone who doesn't know that Gateway has released their anticipated CX210X series Tablet PC convertibles, which can be purchased now at Gateway.com with some pretty cool deals. I'll have to wait a bit before I actually purchase a laptop, but I'll have to keep this one in mind.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if any other companies (particularly Dell) will be releasing new Tablet PCs with Core Duo technology? Is Sony coming out with a new Tablet PC?</p>
<p>Do not get a Gateway or a Toshiba.</p>
<p>Sonys are the best but they tend to run for more.
HPs are very durable but they tend to be a tad bulky.
Dells are probably the best bet since although they arent reliably as HPs, they are cheaper so its easier to replace, but customer service is good.</p>
<p>...Sonys are nice as hell though.</p>
<p>the SZ has a 13.3" screen and you can configure it to $1650 with the 1.83ghz duo, 1gb ram, 60gb hd and it comes standard with an NVIDIA 7400 is a pretty good video card for a notebook.</p>
<p>Also, the Dell D620 has a 14.1" screen and only weighs 4.4lbs AND you can get a 256mb video card (128 discrete with 1gb). thats what im probably getting.</p>
<p>But I'm mostly interested in Tablet PCs (not all companies offer them, unfortunately).</p>
<p>Unfortunately, neither Dell or Sony offer Tablet PCs.</p>
<p>That leaves you with IBM/Lenovo, HP, Acer, Fujitisu, Toshiba for convertibles...</p>
<p>There are also slate models that have a docking station like Fujitsu, Motion and Electrovanya.
Electro</p>
<p>oh tablets, didnt notice that. </p>
<p>In that case, Id go with IBM.</p>