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Do we really need the centrino mobile technology for a wireless environment or is mobile Pentium 4 good enuogh for college?
The reason I'm asking this is that notebooks with Intel Centrino aren't fast. The highest I've found is 1.7 GHz whereas pentium 4's come in over 2.0 GHz. Although people say things about Pentium M processor being faster than P 4.

I really need comments on this and any experience from anyone. I'm thinkin of buying a notebook & can't decide.

By Purgeofdoors (Purgeofdoors) on Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 09:50 pm: Edit

A friend of mine just bought a 1.6 Centrino and it's much faster than 2.5+ gHz non-centrino versions.

The gHz value is actually a terrible indicator of computer speed. The rpm of the hard drive is also incredibly important.

Get a centrino.

By Nerdboy (Nerdboy) on Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 06:05 pm: Edit

WOW, ok thanx

By Lethalfang (Lethalfang) on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 07:35 pm: Edit

Centrino uses the Pentium M chips, which have twice the L2 Cache memory P4 chips have. I've read to estimate the speed, multiply the Pentium M Ghz number by 1 1/2.
You don't have to get the Centrino. Centrino is just a brand name that requires a Pentium M chip to have a Intel branded wireless card. So if you get a Pentium M, it's just as good.

By Nerdboy (Nerdboy) on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 10:57 pm: Edit

So are you saying that a Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor - M 2.20GHz is awesome for wireless internet?

I'm asking this because those PC's that come with Intel Centrino are much more expensive while Pentium 4's with Pentium M processors are cheaper.

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 10:34 am: Edit

Intel Centrinos (Pentium M) are expensive (with or without the Intel wireless) because its the newest technology. In 2-3 years it will replace the Pentrium 4-M.

By Randy80016 (Randy80016) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 07:33 pm: Edit

I say go centrino- I have a 1.7ghz centrino in the laptop I am using to post this, a dell 600m, works quite well. And performs up there with 2.x ghz P4s.

By Nerdboy (Nerdboy) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 11:28 pm: Edit

Randy, how much did you pay for your 600m?
because I want to buy one too but they're very expensive if you want the good stuff on them.
How do you like your notebook?

By Batman (Batman) on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 01:24 am: Edit

Here's my .02

1. Go with a Pentium M if you are getting a notebook --- they not only run faster, but they also run a lot cooler and much much more quietly (very important if you plan on using it in class). The P-4 is a desktop chip while the M was actually designed for a notebook, and it really shows.

2. Take a look at the Compaq x1000 series. Beautiful widescreen, not too heavy, a ton of great features, and very affordable relative to the Dells. I know Compaq does not have the best rep, but I'm telling you that the new x1k is a serious machine with excellent build quality, great components and features -- good value.

3. To save more money, make sure you peruse the web for all of the special coupon codes that are out there. They will often save you 10% or more. There are also a lot of student discounts. Also, for most college students a 1.3 M is plenty powerful since you have so much L2 cache. Just make sure you have enough RAM, a decent hardrive, and a video card with its own memory (at least 32 MB) and your machine will fly through most apps just fine.

By Xtrition (Xtrition) on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 11:30 am: Edit

is the pentium m good for gaming as well or should i go for the p4 instead?