Notebook shopping

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sn3rd

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So... As some of you might have read in the Off Topic section, I was robbed at gunpoint, and they got my trusty HP 530 :(

So I'm in the market for something new. A few questions:

1) You don't seem to get many "Core Duo" based notebooks anymore (the T2xxx models are now referred to as "Pentium Dual Core"). This obviously doesn't fit into the Centrino bracket anymore, correct?

2) Anyone have any idea what Core these models are based on (Merom? Penryn?) ?

3) The models I have seen have Atheros wireless (which, come to think of it, explains their lack of "Centrino" branding right away). Are these decent, and most importantly, what are the odds of it installing easily in Ubuntu 8.04 ?

4) The models with 965 chipset: do they ALL have x3100 graphics (or better) ? Or do some still come with the older GMA 950 etc... ?

5) Anyone want to suggest a notebook? It would be much appreciated. Specs needn't be amazing, but it's important that it have an Intel processor, minimum 1GB RAM (if so, preferably 1 x 1GB with space for expansion), DVD writer, Glossy screen (Crystalbrite, Magicbrite, Brightview, etc...), good build quality (see HP 530), and reliable wireless. A bonus would be a T5xxx series or T7xxx series processor and/or Centrino branding (whether it be an older T2xxx series processor with Centrino Duo branding, or a newer processor with Centrino Pro or whatever).

6) Anyone own a notebook with a "Pentium Dual Core" in it (as opposed to a "Core Duo") ? How is the notebook? Would you recommend it? How much did it cost?

7) Oh, and expansions and extras are also a bonus (S-Video, card-reader, webcam, infrared, etc are all unnecessary, but would be nice if it's not too expensive).

8) Anyone own an HP G7000 series notebook (whether it be 7050 or 7070) ? I'm quite interested in this, and it's quite well priced. The guy at the HP shop said the HP 530 had been discontinued and this was the replacement, but I don't know how true that is.

9) Regarding all of the above, would you recommend an HP 530 again instead of splashing out? My HP 530 had Core Duo T2050, 1GB RAM, 80GB hard drive, DVD Writer, 15.4" Brightview LCD.

Thanks again, everyone... Once again, the forum is the place I turn for advice :)
 
Ok, I figure I'm not getting much response here because I haven't provided any meaningful information?

As I understand it, the Core Duo branded processors all have 2MB L2 cache and are based on 65nm architecture. The FSBs vary between 533MHz and 667MHz (basically with a 533MHz and 667MHz version of each for all comparable clock speeds). Max clock is around 2GHz.

The Pentium Dual-Core branded processors all have 1MB L2 cache and are based on 65nm architecture. ALL FSBs are 533MHz (in the notebook range). Max clock is around 1.8GHz.

The Core 2 Duo branded processors are a lot more confusing. The T5xxx series processors come in 533MHz, 667MHz and 800MHz FSB. The way to differentiate is as follows:
T5x00: 533MHz FSB
T5x50: 667MHz FSB
T5x70: 800MHz FSB

"LIAR!" I hear you say... Well you're right. The T5500 and T5600 are exceptions (and have 667MHz FSB).

All T5xxx series processors are based on a 65nm architecture and feature 2MB L2 cache.

The T7xxx processors aren't as "organised" :p
They are all based on a 65nm architecture, and that's where the uniformity ends! They randomly have either a 2MB or 4MB L2 cache and 667MHz or 800MHz FSB. I'd like to say that the 4MB versions feature 667MHz FSB while the 2MB versions feature 800MHz FSB, but this doesn't hold. The easiest way to summarise is as follows:
667MHz FSB: T7200, T7400, T7600
800MHz FSB: T7100, T7250, T7300, T7500, T7700, T7800
All have 4MB cache with the exception of the T7100 and T7250 which have 2MB

The T8xxx and T9xxx processors are out of my price range, but just for fun (and because they're nice and uniform because Intel hasn't started releasing and re-releasing more models), let's put them here for reference:
T8xxx: 800MHz FSB, 3MB L2, 45nm architecture
T9xxx: 800MHz FSB, 6MB L2, 45nm architecture

Well I guess I kinda derailed my own thread, but maybe this will help those deciding on notebooks in the future? *hint*hint*sticky*hint*
 
Come on, guys... Looking for someone with hands-on experience
 
Depends what you use your laptop for. If it's purely office related work ie emails and documents then the HP 530 is a low cost laptop that's really well built and good value for money.
I think the T7XXX chips are the best laptops have these days so try find something with that in if you want to future proof your investment.
Just don't get Vista!
 
Rewind said:
Depends what you use your laptop for. If it's purely office related work ie emails and documents then the HP 530 is a low cost laptop that's really well built and good value for money.
I think the T7XXX chips are the best laptops have these days so try find something with that in if you want to future proof your investment.
Just don't get Vista!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply!!!!

Anyway...

That's the point of the thread... I HAD an HP 530. Was very happy with it. Now wondering whether to go for it again, or get something else with (possibly) better specs...

Current choices are HP 530 or HP G7070EI. 7070EI has Pentium Dual-Core (:sick:) but has lots of nice features like webcam, more hard drive space, S-Video out (:D). HP 530 has Core Duo (:D) but is very limited in the features department (:sick:).

Also, the 7070 AFAIK, uses the 965 chipset, while the 530 still has 945
 
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