Notebook Buying Tips

Earlier this year, we were quite surprised by the variety of changes that make the notebook more mobile in the sense of having a long life durability and performance capable. These changes come from the silicon giant Intel started launching its new graphics processor in the processor die. As not to be outdone, AMD also launched a long-delayed project with the same AMD Fusion with its competitors, making a graphics processor in a power saving.

These changes create the potential notebook users become dizzy, "Buying a notebook with the specs that how?" In this article, we will give you some tips on choosing a notebook and some new platforms that have been entered into our test kitchen. However, we would not recommend any brand because we have not tested many notebooks that use the new platform. We will just list brands that already we've tested so you can find out its performance.

Processor

As we know, the processor is the brains of the laptop or desktop. That's what makes us put it as a starting point. In addition, prospective notebook buyers usually face the question "Want what processor?" When I want to buy a notebook. The following information ..

Intel: Sandy Bridge platform                 

Earlier this year, the official Intel Sandy Bridge platform for mobile devices and desktops. Sandy Bridge will replace the Arrandale is for one year into the brains of the laptop. So, what distinguishes these two platforms? Use Arrandale 32nm fabrication to 45nm for the CPU and GPU. Both are laid in a single processor but still stands alone (see figure). Sandy bridge fabrication using 32nm CPU and 32nm GPU into one of the die. The decline of this fabrication will make more power efficient and more powerful.

Then, if the performance of these two different platforms? It is certain. Intel promised performance increases of up to 30 percent (the ratio of clock per clock) than the previous platform. We had the opportunity to test the performance of Sandy Bridge in the Acer Aspire 5950G notebook, the MSI GT680, HNM Neon Toshiba and Acer Aspire 4750. Three first notebook we tested use Intel's Core i7 is the same but have different specifications innards. Acer Aspire 4750 uses Intel's Core i3 with the graphics in the processor. You can see a comparison of the performance of the four notebooks in table testing Sysmark 2007. There, you can see the performance of a notebook jumped far enough. Is not it interesting to you? In addition to performance, Intel is also kept his promise to create a notebook that has a longer life durability. You can see it in the table MobileMark 2007 test.

Then, how to tips on choosing a notebook that uses the Sandy Bridge platform? It's easy. All you have to consider is naming the processor. For example, using the naming Arrandale "Intel Core i7 740QM", then Sandy Bridge uses names "Intel Core i7 2630QM". The number "2" in front indicates that the processor is installed using the 2nd generation Intel Core i. If not satisfied, you can mengeceknnya via the system property. So make no mistake, both platforms is included in the naming of "Intel Core i" because it still uses the same fabrication. If you want to read more about technology bridges Sandy, can be read at Sandy Bridge Technology in Mobile Computing.

 

AMD: AMD Fusion

News about AMD Fusion has long become the talk of the internet. Finally, earlier this year, AMD released the Brazos platform. AMD's Fusion project itself is a merger between the CPU (dual core or more) with a GPU in a single die. Merger is intended to get a complete processor with lower TDP. In addition, the GPU also can run multiple applications thus speeding up data processing. AMD calls this generation of processors as the APU (accelerated processing unit).

If you are still confused with the naming of the existing series in AMD, we will slightly explain it to you.

1. AMD Fusion is the merger project in a single CPU with the GPU die.
2. AMD Brazos is a platform (a system along with the accessories).
3. AMD Zacate is a processor (series E) and intended for notebooks.
4. Ontario is the AMD processor (series C) is intended for netbooks.

AMD Fusion can be found on the market that uses both series processors Zacate and Ontario. For Zacate processor, Jagat Review chance to perform tests on the Acer Aspire 4253 notebook. You can see it on the test results. We also had the arrival of the Acer Aspire One 522 netbook that uses a processor Ontario. Honestly, our thumbs-up to the processor on this one. How not very attractive price and performance! This netbook is very cheap price but has a completeness of more than netbooks with the Atom. For clarity, you can read our review on the Acer Aspire One 522.

We can not say which one is best. Both processors it occupies a different class. However, if you plan on buying a netbook, it would be nice glancing AMD Ontario processor (C50).

Graphics: NVIDIA/Intel/Radeon

 

Discrete: Intel GMA 3000 HD

With the presence of Sandy Bridge with integrated GPU on the CPU die, making the Intel GMA HD graphics performance increase. You can see the results of the Intel GPU performance at The "Real" Sandy Bridge On Mobile. In the article, you can see that the current Intel GPU can run many 3D games quite smoothly at resolutions and settings of the particular. This is quite encouraging considering the previous Intel graphics can not do it at all. But wait, it seems to apply when you use an upper-class processor because Intel GMA HD performance seems to depend completely on the CPU.

We conducted tests to notebooks that use Intel Core i7 and Core i3. For notebooks with Intel Core i3, Intel graphics seem to decline (see the article Acer Aspire 4750). Although the results are not as firm as when using the Intel Core i7 processors, but still qualified to run 3D games. Another advantage of the latest Intel GPU is the QuickSync that will accelerate the process of encoding videos using encoding programs that support QuickSync (see the article The "Real" Sandy Bridge On Mobile). One thing that benefit from discrete graphics is more power efficient. 

Non-Discrete: NVIDIA vs. AMD

You need to have a high performance graphics? So, you can drop option to the two graphics giants, AMD and NVIDIA. It is inevitable that these two brands are quite qualified to run a variety of 3D games and in the setting of the specified resolution. However, you need to remember is this wasteful of graphics power. For AMD, choose one that uses graphics Radeon series 5 and 6 series NVIDIA middle class or middle class 4 and 5. Why we recommend that the middle class? So that performance is not far adrift with Intel GMA graphics HD3000.

In addition to running 3D games, both brands can also be used to speed up some applications that support it, such as video encoding, Photoshop display a lighter, and so forth.

Memory SODIMM

Upgrading memory is the most frequently performed, considering the SODIMM memory is now very cheap and affordable. The addition of memory will make your application respond better than before the upgrade. All you have to remember is the addition of this memory should refer to the OS 32bit or 64bit. In Windows 32 bits, the maximum memory that can be read only up to 3 GB and Windows 64 bit can read more than 3 GB of memory. We recommend that you upgrade as needed. For everyday use with Windows 32 bit, we think that 2 GB is enough.

Storage: Hard disk vs SSD

The bigger the better. This section is the most rare in the upgrade. Even if you are short of storage capacity, you are definitely going to buy external storage than replace existing with larger capacity. But wait. The development of notebook storage is now shifted into SSD (solid state drive). In an SSD there are only a few controllers and memory. This makes it superior to the hard disk that still uses mechanical. SSDs are created to be able to withstand extreme vibration when in use and have read and write speeds are fast.

 

The downside of SSDs is the price is quite expensive with a capacity that is still small. However, you can get some advantages, such as:

• When loading windows and applications more quickly.
• Shockproof.
• The increased performance.

These things have we proved in the article "Advantages Upgrade Notebook Hard Disk". In the article, you will notice a difference when using the hard disk and SSD. We guarantee you'll think to upgrade your storage with SSD.

Operation System: Keep Original

We encourage you to buy a notebook or netbook with original operation system. In addition it is safer to bring the device out of the country, you also can update periodically so that any security holes that leak can be patched. In addition, usually a notebook or netbook with the original OS Recovery Utility included so you can recover the Windows easily with just one button. The price offered by a mobile device with the original OS is usually more expensive than without OS. However, you should calculate the price of the original OS that becomes cheaper as bundled with the device. Of course, you will pay more if purchased separately original OS.