Core 2 Duo hasn’t been Intel’s cutting-edge processor for several years now, but if you search Amazon you can still find some inexpensive laptops that are using Core 2 Duos. You may find yourself looking at a Core 2 Duo laptop compared to a basic Core i3 laptop and wondering if the i3 is worth the extra cost.

Or perhaps you have an old Core 2 Duo laptop and were thinking of an upgrade, but you don’t want to waste your money if newer laptops aren’t that much quicker.

In either case, you need to know how the Core 2 Duo vs. Core i3 or Core i5 battle pans out. I don’t think I’m spoiling anything by saying that the newer processor (the i3/i5) is faster – but how much faster? Well, let’s find out.

Processor Performance – High End Core 2 Duo vs. Core i5

Comparing an older processor with a new one is difficult. Operating systems, benchmarks and other hardware components change, which makes an apples-to-apples comparison impossible. However, we can gain a general idea by looking for laptop reviews that share benchmarks over the years.

For example, Anandtech recently reviewed the Dell XPS 14z with a Core i5-2430M processor. In 2009, they also reviewed a Dell Studio XPS 16 with a Core 2 Duo 8600 processor. Each was benchmarked with a few similar programs. Let’s look at the results.

As you can see, the Core i5 effectively doubles the performance of the Core 2 Duo across the board. Remember, current Core i5 processors are two generations beyond the last of the Core 2 Duos, so it’s not terribly surprising to see such large gaps in performance.

Processor Performance – Mid-Range Core 2 Duo vs. Core i3

Unfortunately, I’m not able to provide any graphs for this performance showdown.

Why? Because Core i3 laptops are almost never sent out for review. It’s an old trick – don’t send the press your least powerful product. Send them at least a mid-range option, if not they very best you have. That gives the best chance of a good impression.

This means we have to guess. There are two features that mobile Core i5 processors have that Core i3 processors don’t – Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading. Together, these enable an approximately 10% to 15% improvement in performance when comparing a Core i3 and i5 processor with similar base clock speeds.

Even if you knock 15% off the performance of the Core i5 above, it still handily beats the Core 2 Duo. And a mid-range Core 2 Duo would itself be clocked at about 2 GHz, which is 20% less than the P8600 used in the comparison above. What this means is that you can expect a new Core i3 system to be significantly quicker than a 3-year-old mid-range Core 2 Duo. In fact, the i3 will easily beat a high-end Core 2 Duo.

Graphics Performance

Though pure processor performance is what most people pay attention, graphics performance is also important. It used to be the case that graphics performance from an integrated graphics processor was very poor. In fact, for most of the PC’s history, integrated graphics components were placed on the motherboard. It’s only recently that the IGP has been made a part of the processor, sharing cache resources to allow for better performance.

Just how much better? Let’s take a look.

This information is taken from three sources. One is benchmark testing of an Acer Extensa laptop from 2007 equipped with the Radeon X1250 IGP. This laptop also had a AMD Turion 64 X2 processor running at 1.9 GHz. The other source is the HP dv6500t X3100, which was reviewed by Andantech. The final source is my own testing of the Dell Inspiron 14z with a Core i5 and Intel HD 3000 graphics.

Conclusion

The information we have available is clear. Modern laptop processors are better in terms of processor performance and graphics performance. If you were to purchase a new Core i5 laptop today, an upgraded from a mid-range or high-end Core 2 Duo, you would be able to notice a significant performance difference. Programs will load much more quickly, and you’ll be able to play most modern 3D games without a discrete graphics solution – still at low settings, mind you, but they will at least be playable.

On the other hand, the older Core 2 Duo was sufficient for basic productivity and web surfing then, so it should be sufficient for the same now. As mentioned, I recently tested an Acer Extensa laptop from 2007. Though this laptop was obviously old and worn, it still can provide mostly adequete performance for web browsing and document editing.

If you are considering an upgrade, consider your reasons. If you do not demand much from your laptop, you will still notice a difference, but it may mean your web browsing loading in 10 seconds instead of 20. Those who use more demanding software – like Photoshop, for example – are the users who will gain the most from upgrading.

Intel’s Core line of products, which debuted in 2009, is the current high-end option from Intel. If you buy any computer today there is an extremely good chance it will have a Core processor inside. In this article, we are going to examine the desktop versions of these products. In a later article I will explain the mobile versions found in laptops.

The Basics

The Intel Core line arrived to replace the Intel Core 2 products. Yea, it’s a bit confusing, I know – but Intel wanted to reset their branding, so they reverted back to just using “Core” and then adding a suffix of i3, i5 or i7. As you may have guessed, higher numbers are better – a Core i5 is supposed to be better than a Core i3.

Currently we are on the second generation of these processors. They use an architecture called “Sandy Bridge,” but don’t expect to see that name much when shopping, as it’s a code name used by Intel internally. Instead, look for processors with a model number that starts with 2, such as the Core i3-2100 or Core i5-2500. If the model number is only three digits long, then it is not a current generation Intel Core processor, and you probably should not buy it.

One of the new features found in second-gen Core processors is an integrated graphics solution (IGP) that is now a part of the processor itself. This is called Intel HD 2000 or 3000 graphics, and again, the higher number is better. The IGP can handle older 3D games, but not stunning new titles like Battlefield 3. Don’t worry, though – the IGP automatically disables if you install a video card.

Now, let’s delve into the Core i3 vs i5 vs i7 question.

Intel Core i3: Basic But Powerful

Intel’s Core i3 is the most basic processor Intel offers for desktops besides a handful of products that still use the Pentium brand name. All Core i3 processors are dual-cores, but they have hyper-threading, which virtually mimics a quad-core. This means that when you open Windows Task Manager and go to the Performance tab, you will see four threads in the processor performance graph.

Turbo Boost is not featured on the Core i3. The processor does not automatically overclock when conditions allow, so the clock speed you buy is what you get. No Core i3 processor is unlocked to allow for manual overclocking, either.

In the graphics department, you’ll find a combination of Intel HD 2000 and Intel HD 3000 graphics. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell which has which by reading the model name and number. You’ll simply have to refer to the Intel specification sheet.

In the Intel Core i3 vs i5 vs i7 debate, the i3 is clearly the least powerful. Don’t let you fool you, however –there’s still a lot of juice here. All basic tasks like web browsing and document editing will be cinch. This is also the perfect processor for a budget gaming PC. I use a Core i3-2100 in my own desktop, and when combined with my Radeon HD 5850, I have no problem playing the latest games like Skyrim and Battlefield 3 at High detail settings.

The best value in this line is usually the Core i3-2100, priced at 114.99. However, sometimes the slightly faster Core i3-2120 is put on sale. If it is only $5 or $10 more, go ahead and grab it.

Intel Core i5: The Most You Probably Need

Going with the Core i5 will provide you with four cores instead of two and also enables Turbo Boost. As a result, performance in certain applications (those that use all four quads effectively) is blazing fast. AMD’s processors can’t hope to compare in most situations, and the Core i3 also trails the i5 significantly in applications like Handbrake, a tool that rips and converts MPEG-4 files.

However, because of Turbo Boost, the i5 also usually defeats the i3 even when all cores are not being used. It’s simply a faster processor. This is in spite of the fact that the desktop version of the Core i5 lacks hyper-threading, which is enabled on the i3.

Like the Core i3, integrated graphics on the Core i5 can be either HD 2000 or HD 3000. You will have to refer to the Intel specification sheet to find out which version is equipped on a specific processor.

Overall, the i5 is an excellent processor that hits a price-performance sweet spot. Most reviewers consider the Core i5-2500K to be the best choice because it offers a high clock speed and supports overclocking. However, a budget-minded buyer might be better served by the Core i5-2300, which currently retails for just 184.99

Intel Core i7: The Bleeding Edge

If you’re looking for the faster processor that is available to consumers today, then the Core i7 line is your territory. These are the fastest x86 processors ever created, and they dominate the competition from AMD. Core i7 not only wins vs. Core i3 vs. i5. It wins vs. anything.

All Core i7 desktop processors have hyper-threading and Turbo Boost, and all of them except the Core i7-2600 have Intel HD 3000 graphics. However, the line is split between the Core i7 quad-cores and the six-core products.

The quad-cores, like the Core i7-2600K, represent the best that most people can afford. Though you’ll still probably pay over $300, you’re receiving a processor that can handle any task well without demolishing your bank account. No matter if you’re gamer, a professional photographer, or a data-cruncher, the Core i7-2600K is an excellent choice.

The six-core processors are much different. While all the other second-generation Core processors plug into a motherboard socket called LGA 1155, the six-core i7 uses a socket called LGA 2011. This can only be found on motherboards using the Intel X79 chipset. This, combined with high processor pricing, means that six-core i7 systems are only for people who absolutely need the fastest computer possible.

For most users, the Intel Core i7-2600K is the best value, at $315.

Which is best for you?

If you don’t do anything that’s demanding on your PC, a Core i3 is perfectly fine. It may be a dual-core in a world that’s beginning to embrace quads, but you know what? It often doesn’t matter. Most media players, web browsers, and even video games still are not properly optimized for quad-cores. Don’t get wrapped up in “more = better” hype. Modern dual cores are all that’s needed by the majority of buyers.

Hardcore gamers will probably want to go with a Core i5-2500K, however, because it can be overclocked to your pleasure. People who use demanding applications like Photoshop or Handbrake will also want to upgrade to the i5. Those extra cores do help when software is coded to use them.

Most people don’t need to consider the i7. It certainly isn’t the value option – yea, it’s faster than the i5 processors, but not by enough to justify a $100 price gap. The six-core i7 processors are even worse when it comes to bang-for-buck, so few people will need to buy them. If you’re the kind of professional who needs the fastest processor possible for you work, you probably don’t need me to tell you that a six-core i7 is the way to go.

Remember…

This article covers the desktop components only. It does not touch on the mobile hardware. I will be writing about that later in a separate article.

Buying a laptop is confusing, and unfortunately the major processor company’s haven’t done much to make it easier on your. There is a bewildering array of processor brands available from both Intel and AMD, and while both companies would like to think each brand is distinct, the truth is that they often bleed together.

It’s important to know what’s powering your laptop, however, because it has a major impact on its performance characteristics. A laptop with an Intel Atom will behave much differently from one with an Intel Core i5. In this article I’ll briefly explain each processor currently on the market so you’ll be armed with knowledge when you make your purchase.

The Intel Atom powers most netbooks

Intel Atom

The processor which allowed the netbook craze to start, the Atom is now in its second revision, called Pinetrail. It is still as slow as ever, however, so expect most Atom processors in netbooks to have a single core and be clocked at 1.6 or 1.66Ghz. Atom is fine for browsing the web, but there are a lot of things it can’t do. It can’t play 3D games made in the last decade or so. It can’t play high-definition flash video (or high-definition video of any sort). And it is too slow to do serious number crunching – even a complex spreadsheet can bog an Atom down.

Dual-core Atom processors are becoming much more common thanks to a inexpensive 1.5 GHz part that’s now available to laptop manufacturers. Although this does nothing to address Atom’s problems with 3D and video content, the dual-core processor is noticeably faster in day-to-day use and has minimal negative impact on battery life. The only real downside is price, but spending an extra $30 for a dual-core Atom is a wise move.

Intel Celeron

The Celeron is Intel’s bottom-of-the-barrel line of mainstream processors. It’s a confusing processor to consider because the brand name doesn’t refer to any particular architecture. A Celeron could be an old Core 2 Duo based product or a feature-stripped version of a Core i3. Generally speaking, you’re probably best off avoiding Celerons, but if you’re on an extremely tight budget that might not be possible. Make sure you check out Intel’s Celeron processor specifications page before buying – this will let you know if the Celeron you’re looking at is a new or old model.

Intel Pentium

At some point Intel apparently decided having one entry-level brand wasn’t enough, so the Pentium name re-emerged. Like Celeron, Pentium processors are low-end, feature-stripped versions of Intel’s other architectures. There are Pentium branded processors based off a wide variety of Intel architectures from Core 2 Duo to the modern Sandy Bridge design. You can find a complete list of Intel’s Pentium offerings on the company website.

Core 2 Duo/Quad

Once Intel’s flagship, this line of processors is now very outdated. Core 2 Duos are occasionally found in old bargain models that might still be available as clearance items or refurbished units, but otherwise you’re unlikely to run into these processors. They still offer respectable performance, but you’d better be getting a great deal, as a more modern Intel processor with a similar clock speed is going to be at least 25% quicker.

Intel Core i3/i5/i7

Intel’s Core i3/i5/i7 line represents the company’s cutting-edge mobile processors. The Core i3 series is the least expensive and least powerful, while the Core i7 series is the flagship.

Currently, there are two different architectures powering different Core processors. The older processors, now referred to as the “first generation,” are designated by three-digital model numbers such as 330 or 720. The newer, “second generation” processors are designated by four-digital model numbers such as 2410 or 2630.

Right now the second-generation Core products are the processor you want in your laptop. They offer incredible performance and come with Intel HD graphics integrated into the processor architecture. Unlike past Intel HD renditions, this new version is quite competent and can handle basic 3D games like World of Warcraft.

AMD Athlon/Phenom

Formerly AMD’s flagship for mobile products, the Athlon and Phenom are now long in tooth. This design has been around for ages and has not enjoyed the frequent boosts in performance and power efficieny found in Intel’s Core series. It’s gradually fallen behind until and is now no longer competitive with any processor offered by Intel.

That’s not to say the Athlon’s performance is intolerable. It’s still a mainstream laptop processor, which means it will outperform netbook processors easily. However, in many scenarios a second-generation Core i3 is capable of achieving benchmark scores that are twice that of the AMD Athlon. Clearly, unless the Athlon is significantly reduced in price, it isn’t a great choice.

AMD Fusion

The latest mobile processor from AMD, the Fusion line is targeted toward netbooks and budget ultraportables. These processors have clock speeds similar to Atom processors, and while they are slightly faster on a performance-per-clock basis, the difference isn’t significant. The main selling point of these processors is instead the Radeon integrated graphics that are part of the processor architecture. Although not suitable for hardcore gaming, they’ll handle basic games and most HD video without problem – which is more than anyone can say about current Atom offerings.

Power draw isn’t as miserly as Atom, but most netbooks based on Fusion do manage between 6 and 9 hours of life away from a socket. Unlike Intel, AMD doesn’t mind if manufacturers place their Fusion processors into larger laptops. As a result, there are already some 15.6″ laptops on the market with netbook pricing and battery life of 5 hours or more, such as the Acer AS5253-BZ602.

AMD's Turion performs well, but sucks down power

AMD Turion

I’m a admitted AMD fanboy, but there isn’t much I can say here in AMD’s defense. The Turion processors offer adequate performance, but they consume too much power. The Turion processors are not a bad choice for a mainstream laptop or for a desktop replacement, and Turon based laptops are often less expensive than their Intel counterparts. If you’re interested in mobility, however, avoid the Turion like the plague.

Verdict

The Intel Core series is the undisputed leader of the mainstream laptop market. They combine excellent power efficiency with cutting-edge performance that is well in excess of what is available from AMD. The integrated graphics included in the second-generation Core processors is compelling, as well.

In the netbook space, however, AMD is putting up a good fight. Atom is still the processor of choice for battery life, but Fusion offers quicker processor performance and superior graphics performance at a price similar to Atom. Battery life is the only disadvantage, but most Fusion based laptops still manage 6 hours of endurance or more.

Hey, there. If you’re reading this post, you’re probably not part of my regular audience. Come on, you know its true. Most tech geeks are neckbeards who get all excited about cores and gigahertz. If you’re reading this, you’re probably more like my wife, who would prefer most anything in pink if it is available.

I get it. If you care more about your laptop’s exterior than the hardware inside, that’s cool. And fortunately, there are some great pink laptops on the market right now. This list rounds up the best pink laptops. I’ll try not to bog down in the technical details and instead tell you why you should buy THIS and not THAT.

Dell Inspiron and Dell XPS

When it comes to customization, no one compares to Dell. You may still have an image of head of Dell’s boring beige boxes and the lame “Dude, you’re getting a Dell!” ads. Forget about that. Today, Dell offers some of the coolest laptops on the market – including plenty of pink laptops.

If you’re on a budget, the Inspiron line is for you. These mid-range laptops offer reasonable performance at affordable prices. Inspirons don’t have the best battery life, and they’re not the thinnest or lightest laptops around, but they do the job. Better yet, Dell has recently introduced a very cool feature exclusive Inspirons – switchable laptop lids. The entire lid can be taken off and replaced by another one. And Dell doesn’t just offer plain pink lids – if also offers a number of pink designs.

Power users will want to take a look at the XPS line. These laptops also are available in pink or pink designs, but there is no removable lid option, so you’re stuck with whatever you pick. Also, the custom designs on the XPS can be extremely expensive – they often run $200 or more.

Sony Vaio EA/EB Series

Sony doesn’t sell as many laptops as brands like Dell and HP, but the company has made laptops for ages and they’ve always had solid build quality. They’ve also frequently been available in ultra-bright colors such as Iridescent Blue, Neon Green and – of course – Pink. Or Hibiscus Pink, as Sony usually calls it.

Currently, Sony offers this on three models. The Sony Vaio Y series is not the best deal right now, however, so you should probably limit yourself to the more competitive Sony Vaio EA (with a 14″ display) and Sony Vaio EB (with a 15.6″ display). Besides display size, these laptops are quite similar. They both offer Intel processors, they both have great island keyboards, and they’re both well built.

The smaller Sony Vaio EA starts at $719, while the larger Sony Vaio EB starts at $649.

HP Mini 210

If you’re looking for a small pink laptop – a pink netbook, let’s say – then you should consider the HP Mini 210. This stylish pink laptop has a 10.1″ display and an Intel Atom processor. While the main body is silver, the lid is bright neon pink. The two pieces have a similar material and gloss, so they go together quite well despite the different colors.

Overall, the HP Mini 210 is quite similar to most netbooks. It has a nice keyboard, but it will of course be a bit small, since you can only fit so large a keyboard on a netbook. If you don’t mind the size you’ll enjoy the battery life, which can last up to eight hours. The size of the HP Mini 210 also helps with portability. In fact, at a weight of about 3 pounds and thickness of 1.25″, you could fit this netbook into many purses and bags.

The HP Mini 210 is available for $329.99 from Amazon.com

As computers become more powerful, they’re also becoming smaller. That’s the natural result of the fact that you can do more with less; while some users will continue to build gigantic computers with the biggest and baddest components, other people can exchange some of that cutting-edge performance for a small profile.

To do that, however, you’ll need a Micro ATX motherboard and a Micro ATX case. In this post we’re going to look at the five best Micro ATX cases currently on the market. There is a fair range of quality and price here, but all of these cases limbo under $150 dollars, so your wallet can make it through these recommendations relatively unscathed.

Rosewill R101-P-BK

Since we’re talking about wallet-friendly options, let’s start this best Micro ATX case list with our least expensive entry, the Rosewill R101-P-BK.

This case from budget component maker Rosewill is as simple as could be. It’s clad entirely in black, standards just why of 14 inches tall and is 7.5 inches wide. Inside you’ll find room for four 3.5″ internal drives and three 5.25″ external drives. The system also comes with one 120mm fan mounted at the rear.

Really, this is as stock-and-standard a case as you’ll find. It has no special features and no distinctive style. But that’s fine, because this case costs just $30 bucks, which is an absolute bargain. If you’re looking for a basic Micro ATX case for a very inexpensive home or office PC, the Rosewill R101-P-BK should be your first choice.

Buy the Rosewill R101-P-BK from Amazon.com

Cooler Master Elite 341

Like the Rosewill, the Cooler Master Elite 341 is a fairly basic Micro ATX case that would serve well in any home or office. However, the Cooler Master Elite 341 has some extra features that also make it use for more powerful systems, like budget gaming PCs and mini workstations.

The cooling, for example, includes 120mm fan mounts both front and rear as well as support for up to two 120mm fans on the left side panel. The Elite 341 also offers tool-free installation for the 5.25″ external drives and for the rear expansion cards. The 3.5″ internal drives are mounted on a removable rack, which should make installation of drives easier after your install the motherboard. Despite these extra features, the Elite 341 is no bigger than the Rosewill R101, measuring about 15.5 inches tall and 7.25 inches wide.

If you want basic, but you also are planning to build a somewhat powerful system, the Elite 341 is a good choice. It’s usually priced around $50, so while it is more than the Rosewill, this case is still a budget option.

Buy the Cooler Master Elite 341 from Amazon.com

Lian Li PC-A04B

It’s hard to argue with Lian-Li’s consistency. This company has been making aluminum PC cases for years, and it has never blinked or changed course. Aluminum, although generally more expensive than the steel used by other cases, has two major advantages – it looks beautiful when properly finished and it is extremely light.

The Lian Li PC-A04B, like all cases from this company, is a real show-stopper. Although clad in black, the brushed aluminum finish gives this case a unique sparkle that changes an shifts depending on the lighting the case is exposed to.

Yet this case is about more than looks. It has two 140mm front fan mounts and one rear 120mm rear fan mount. That creates a fair amount of direct front-to-back airflow, and it should also keep your system relatively quite, since big fans don’t need to spin as quickly to move the same amount of air. This case also has 7 internal 3.5″ drive bays, an impressive number for any Micro ATC case. Although the price of $110 is much higher than the Rosewill or the Elite, Lian Li’s superior design easily makes the PC-A04B one of the best Micro ATX cases currently available.

Buy the Lian Li PC-A04B from Newegg

Silverstone Sugo Series SG02B

Silverstone is well known for its premium cases, some of which cost hundreds of dollars. But it also offers some excellent Micro ATX cases in the Sugo series, such as the Sugo SG06BB, an excellent cube-style case for anyone looking to build a small but powerful system.

The strange but genius design of the SG02B results in a case that is just 8 inches high, but 10 inches wide and 15 inches long. Overall, it is significantly smaller in terms of volume than your average mid-tower Micro ATX case. However, because of the dimensions, it is possible to place an expansion card up to 12 inches long inside without problem, and there is also a fair amount of room for mid-to-large CPU coolers. This means that gamers can put in big video cards and overclockers can fit effective CPU coolers.

Th Sugo SG02B isn’t entirely without compromise, however. It can only fit three 3.25″ drives in total, as well as two 5.25″ external drives. In addition, the Sugo is only able to mount 80mm fans, so systems built with this case can be loud. Still, at a price of around $90, this is a great choice.

Buy the Sugo Series SG02B from Amazon.com

Laptops are a big investment and, as I’ve discussed before in my laptop reliability article, they’re also prone to failure. Although about 70% of laptops will survive past their third year, a 30% three-year failure rate is still quite high on a product that often costs over $500, particularly when you consider the fact that repairs are often prohibitively expensive.

Many users therefor turn towards their laptop’s warranty for assurance. But is there any real difference between the warranties offered by different manufacturers? Let’s have a look.

The Standard One-Year Laptop Warranty

Almost every laptop sold in North America is covered by a similar one-year limited warranty. Of course, you’re probably wondering what the term “limited” refers to. Don’t worry (much) – the term isn’t trying to scam you, but there are some things that warranties generally don’t cover. Although you’ll need to refer to each manufacturer’s website for the specifics, here are he most common exclusions.

• Accidental damage / “acts of God” (If you drop your laptop, you’re out of luck).
• End-user modification (If you try to replace the hard drive and screw up, you’re out of luck).
• Software malfunction (If you’re having problems with software running on your laptop, call the developer).
• Appearance parts (You can’t have the laptop’s lid replaced because of a scratch).
• Service outside of the intended market (If you import a North American market laptop to Europe, you warranty is likely void).
• Defacement (The strangest term in some warranties – if you remove the brand label from a laptop the warranty might be void).

So what is covered? Generally, coverage is limited to design or manufacturing defects. The standard one-year laptop warranty covers both parts and labor during the warranty period. One area that does seem to vary, however – and you may want to check before buying – is the coverage applied to repairs done. Toshiba’s standard one-year warranty covers “warranty materials and workmanship” for a paltry 30 days or until the end of the warranty period, whichever is longer. Sony, on the other hand, covers its repairs for up to 90 days or the end of the warranty period.

Standard 2-year and 3-year Warranties

While most laptops have a one-year warranty, those aren’t the best laptop warranties you can find. There are a handful of laptops that come with longer standard warranties. ASUS, for example, is now shipping a variety of laptops with a two-year warranty. That’s a smart move for ASUS – the company is known to have some of the most reliable laptops in the busines, and ASUS’s longer warranty gives the company a way to use that edge against competitors.

They’re not the only one to make an exception, however. Dell attaches three-year warranties to some of its Latitude and Precision business laptops, and it’s not uncommon for companies to throw in a three-year warranty on laptops that cost over $1000. The Toshiba Portege R700, for example, comes with a standard 3-year warranty while the less expensive Portege R705 only receives one year of coverage.

If you’re looking for the best laptop warranty, look for a laptop with a standard two or three-year warranty.

Third-Party Warranties

If you buy a laptop at a brick-and-mortar store you’re undoubtedly going to be hit up for a “product replacement plan.” These third-party extended warranties are often traps, however, for a number of reasons. If you’d like a great example, check out the Best Buy forums. In a thread there, a person with the Best Buy product replacement plan posts that they dropped their laptop in a pool. Obviously, it won’t power on any longer. Woops! But they’re covered, right – after all, their plan provides protection against accidents that the manufacturer warranty doesn’t. That’s why they bought the plan.

Not so fast. According to a Best Buy representative, “Your Performance Service Plan (PSP) with Accidental Damage from Handling (ADH) is intended to cover damage from normal wear and tear, drops and spills. Unfortunately, full immersion of the computer in water is not covered by the PSP, even with ADH.” Of course, the poster isn’t happy – when they got the plan, the sales rep told them that the warranty would provide full protection against accidents. Apparently, it only provides full protection against normal accidents, whatever the hell those are. Despite being called out on a public forum, Best Buy did not relent.

I think you can see the problem here. Even if you buy at third party warranty, there’s no guarantee they’ll actually pay up. If you do want to buy a warranty for some extra peace-of-mind your best bet is probably SquareTrade. Unlike stores, which sell warranties as a means of increasing their margins and are therefor reluctant to actually pay when required, SquareTrade is essentially a insurance company.

My advice, though, is to simply stay away from third-party warranties altogether.

AMD’s Fusion processors are now widely available in a number of laptops. The new APU combines the power of a netbook processor with Radeon graphics, creating a well-balanced product that offers better all-around performance than Intel’s Atom processors and their anemic IGP. Indeed, the performance gap is sometimes massive, particularly in games and HD video playback.

There are quite a few AMD Fusion laptops available, but as is always the case, some excel where others fail. In this post I’m going to roundup the three best AMD fuson laptops currently available. These inexpensive computers are great because of their affordability, portability or both.

Acer Aspire One AO522-BZ897

Acer, one of the most popular netbook manufactures, was naturally quick to jump on the Fusion bandwagon. They’re already offering a few models with AMD Fusion processors, but the Acer Aspire One AO522 is the least expensive of them and, I think, the best.

This particular Acer Aspire One model doesn’t do anything revolutionary. The chassis, for example, isn’t much different from what was found on past Acer Aspire One netbooks, and some of the specifications- such as the 1GB of RAM and 250GB hard drive – are instantly recognizable. However, the Acer Aspire One AO522-BZ897 does offer a 10.1″ display with a resoultion of 1280×720, which is a bit higher than normal.

AMD’s Fusion processor is the real star of this show. Because of its graphics firepower, the Acer Aspire One AO522 is notably quicker than older netbooks saddled with Intel’s Atom and its antique IGP. While the C-5o processor in this Fusion laptop is clocked at just 1 GHz, it is a dual core part, and the Bobcat architecture used by the AMD Fusion processors is quicker per-clock than Intel’s Atom.

Overall, the Acer Aspire One AO522-BZ897 is not only one of the best Fusion laptops currently available but also one of the best netbooks on the market right now. The low price of just $329.99 is just icing on an already appetizing cake.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $329.99.

HP Pavilion dm1z

HP has been trying for some time to use AMD processors in inexpensive put powerful laptops, but so far hasn’t had much luck. The previous HP Pavilion dv2, for example, was a fine piece of kit. But it was ultimately limited by the fact that AMD’s ultraportable processor offerings were, at the time, power hungry.

Now that Fusion has launched, however, HP finally has some nice material to work with. The result is a sleek, svelte netbook / ultraportable with an 11.6″ display and a dual-core E-350 Fusion processor. HP has been trickling the design of its HP Envy laptops down to its less expensive models, and the HP Pavilion dm1z is one of the latest beneficiaries. It is an elegant, smooth laptop that gives up glossy colors and chrome trim for flat silvers and black.

The HP Pavilion dm1z is as practical as it looks. It packs AMD’s most powerful Fusion processor, the E-350, which feature two cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. This is supported by three gigabytes of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and a display resolution of 1366×768. The dm1z also benefits from a spacious keyboard and large touchpad.

As you might have guessed from the specifications, the HP Pavilion dm1z is more upscale than your typical netbook PC. The price, as a result, is usually around $600. That may seem a bit high, but the quality of the dm1z justifies the price.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $594.99.

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5134

The Atom processor started a revolution of small laptops at inexpensive prices, but it never trickled over to larger PCs. The reason for this was quite simple; Intel didn’t want Atom to compete with its mainstream Core branded processors, so it didn’t let manufacturers use Atom processors in laptops with a display size larger than 12.1 inches.

AMD has no such qualms, however, so we’re now seeing AMD Fusion laptops enter the market with low-power processors but large 15.6″ displays. One of these laptops is theToshiba Satellite C655D-S5134, which is powered by a single-core AMD E-240 clocked at 1.5 GHz. It also has two gigabytes of RAM and a 320GB hard drive.

Although it packs a tiny APU, the Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5134 uses the same chassis as inexpensive 15.6″ Toshiba laptops with Intel Core 2 Duo and Core i3 processors. This has two benefits for consumers. First, it means that the chassis of this laptop, although bare-bones, is incredibly robust for the price. And second, it means that the cooling design of this chassis is far more than the APU calls for. The laptop is virtually silent as a result.

While the size of the Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5134 makes it less portable than the other options here, it still offers between 4 and 5 hours of battery life – and since it’s so big, the keyboard is extremely spacious and easy to use.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $400.

I like to call the processor the heart of a computer. Although there are many things that determine the overall performance of a laptop it is the processor that is most responsible for the laptop’s performance and power efficiency. Choosing the best processor for a laptop is important, but also can be difficult because there are often trade-offs between different laptop processors. Those that are quickest may not be best for battery life and vice versa.

If you know what is most important to you in a laptop, however, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding which laptop processor is best for you. In this guide I’m going to recommend processors based off categories of need such as performance and value. Hopefully this will make picking the best processor for your new laptop easier.

Best Laptop Processor for Performance

First place: Intel Core i7 Quad-Core

Intel’s Core i7 laptop processors are clearly the best processor for high-end desktop replacement laptops. The most basic quad-core Core i7 laptops are usually found in laptops with a price tag of around $1000 such as the HP Pavilion dv6 Entertainment Laptop or the ASUS N61JQ-X1 Entertainment Laptop. The most basic and common Core i7 is the Core i7-720QM, which has a base clock speed of 1.6 GHz. The Core i7 processors have the Turbo Boost feature enabled, however, so the Core i7-720QM can ramp its speed up to 2.8 GHz if it is only using one or two cores.

The downside is portability. The Core i7 quad-cores eat battery life like snickers bars, so they’re not the best processor for a portable laptop. They also generate a fair amount of heat, so the laptops that have these processors tend to be large and have very aggressive fans. That’s why these processors are best for desktop replacements.

It’s important to note that there are a handful of laptops on the market with C0re i7 dual-core processors. These are also powerful, but quad-cores are faster. Make sure you know which you’re getting before you buy.

Runner Up: Intel Core i5

The Intel Core i5 mobile processors are the quickest dual-core option on the market with the exception of the very limited number of Core i7 dual-cores. These processors have high base clock speeds (usually between 2.4 and 2.8GHz) and also are equipped with the Turbo Boost feature, although they generally don’t overclock as aggressively as the Core i7 quad-cores. Laptops equipped with Core i5 processors tend to be a little cheaper than Core i7 models and also typically have better battery life. With that said, however, most Core i5 laptops remain a poor choice for frequent travelers because most can’t provide more than four hours of life on a six-cell battery. Core i5 laptops range in price from affordable, such as the Toshiba Satellite L655, to incredibly expensive, like the Sony VAIO Z.

Best Laptop Processor for Value

First Place: Intel Core i3

Although technically the low-end of the latest Core branded products from Intel the Core i3 is really a mid-range part rather than a low-end part. You won’t see this processor very often in laptops under $600, but you also won’t see this processor often in laptops over $1000. The base clock speeds of the Core i3 processors tend to range from 2.13GHz to 2.4GHz. These are fairly low overall, but its important to remember that the per-clock performance is  high. The Core i3 2.4GHz, for example,  will easily outrun a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo.

The Turbo Boost feature is not available on Core i3 processors. As a result there is a fairly large gap between the Intel Core i5 and the Core i3 when running single-thread applications. With that said, however, the Core i3 is still pretty damned quick. It isn’t the best processor for a laptop if you need performance, but it more than adequate for 90% of tasks and it is one of the fastest dual-core processors ever. The Core i3 also is a bit easier on battery life due to the lower clock speeds – some laptops, like the ASUS U30JC, can squeeze out six to eight hours of battery life.

Runner Up: AMD Phenom II Quad-Core

This was a tough one. Although the Core i3 processor took first place in this category, AMD’s Phenom II Quad-Core is also an excellent value. Although not as quick as Intel’s Core i7 quads, this is still a serious performance processor that is particularly good at handling multi-thread loads like 3D rendering, video encoding and some games. In many such situations the Phenom II Quad-Core will perform as well or better than even the quickest Core i5 processors, yet the price is incredibly low – the least expensive Phenom II Quad-Core laptops are around $600 (like the Toshiba Satellite L655D), while models equipped with better hard drives and video cards rarely exceed $800 (such as the HP Pavilion dv6-3050us). This processor, like most quad-cores, will decimate a battery in short order, but the Phenom II Quad-Core is the clear value leader among desktop replacements.

Best Laptop Processor for Battery Life

First Place: Intel CULV 2010

The Intel CULV 2010 platform consists of variants of Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors, making it impossible to recommend only one line. The “CULV” acronym stands for consumer ultra-low voltage. Or, in layman terms, processors that make it possible for a standard six-cell battery to last a hell of a long time.

Although the processors in this category are spread out across a variety of Intel brands you can identify them easily by focusing on the letters in the designation of any Core processor. Ultra-low voltage processors will have the letter “U” added to their suffix. The ultra-low voltage Core i3 330M is called the i3-330UM, for example.

These processors consume much less power because they’re clocked at dramatically lower base speeds than standard Core mobile processors. The i3-330UM is clocked at 1.2GHz while the standard Core i3-330M is clocked at 2.13GHz. The processors that are most desired are the Core i5 and i7 ultra-low voltage variants. These processors have Turbo Boost enabled and can overclock themselves substantially when the laptop is connect to power. This gives you the best of both worlds – great portability while on the go and great performance while at home.

The only downside is availability – laptops with these processors are hard to come across and rather expensive. The best example of this platform currently available is probably the ASUS UL20FT-A1, a 12.1″ laptop with a Core i3-330UM processor and a price tag of about $630.

Runner Up: AMD Neo (Nile Platform)

Although AMD has traditionally had problems with battery life they’ve made some great strides recently by introducing a new ultra-thin laptop platform called Nile. These laptops, which can be identified by the combination of AMD Neo Duel-Core K series processors with Radeon 4225 mobile graphics, provide performance that is better than Intel’s low-voltage Core 2 Duo processors, which are still common in many laptops. Battery life is generally around six hours in moderate “real world” usage such as web browsing and word processing. Laptops based off this new platform are still rare because the platform is new, but some great laptops have already arrived. My current favorite is the Toshiba Satellite T235D-S1345
, a 13.3″ laptop with a price tag of less than $600.

I am a goon. Not, I’m not trying to disparage myself (although some would argue that I am) but rather saying I am a member of a forum community which likes to call their members goons. I often read and post in the laptop recommendation thread, and because of this I’ve noticed a trend. Thin is in.

Yea, you’re saying. No duh. But to be frank, this is kind of news to me. A laptop is not a cell phone. Nor is it a MP3 player. I honestly disregarded the value of a thin laptop. I just didn’t see why it mattered. Then I bought a Macbook, which was much slimmer than my older Thinkpad, and I started to see why people cared. Thin, when done properly, greatly increases the sense of build quality that you find in a laptop. Holding a thin but tough laptop makes you appreciate the engineering that went into the unit.

Of course, there is also the flip side. There are some laptops (MSI X series, I’m looking to you) that wear their thinness poorly. Holding one feels like holding paper instead of a razor. So, in the interest of buying good laptops, let’s take a look at three laptops that I believe are the best ultra thin laptops available today.

Lenovo X301

The X301 is a strange bird in the Thinkpad lineup. It is an incredibly good ultra thin laptop no matter how you approach it. Although the Lenovo Thinkpad T410s makes a bit of a fuss about being thin, the Thinkpad X301 is where it is really at if you need a ultra thin Thinkpad. Thinkpad X301, measuring .82 inches at its thickest point, is even thinner than the X201.

Inside the Thinkpad X301 you’ll find some serious hardware, although it makes some compromises in order to achieve such an ultra thin profile. The base SU9400 Core 2 Duo is one of Intel’s best ultra-low voltage processor, but it still only clocks at 1.4 Ghz. 4GB of RAM comes standard, as does a 128GB solid state drive. You’ll also find that the display has a matte finish and a resolution of 1440×900, which is high for a 13 inch laptops.

The Thinkpad X301 also (of course) has access to all of the Thinkpad’s business-oriented durability features such as a spill-resistant keyboard, metal hinges and a “roll cage” chassis. You’ll also find the typical Thinkpad business-oriented price. A X301 will set you back  about $2000 bucks.

Buy the Thinkpad X301 at Amazon.com

Dell Vostro V13

Dell has been making big strides on the design front recently, and part of that has been due to a plethora of new ultra thin laptops. Dell’s obsession with thin design has been lead by the flagship Adamo series, including the Adamo Onyx and Adamo Pearl. These expensive ultra thin laptops are only .65 inchs thick and will cost you over $1000 dollars.

So don’t buy one. Instead, take a look at the business-oriented Dell Vostro V13. This laptop uses the same chassis as the Adamo Onyx and Pearl, but it can be purchased for as little as $499. Admittedly, the cheapest model isn’t very well equipped, but a higher-end version with 1.3 Ghz Core 2 Duo ULV processor, 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive can be purchased for $700. This makes one of the thinnest ultra thin laptops one of the least expensive to buy.

Buy the Dell Vostro V13 at Dell

Sony Vaio Z Series

The Sony Z Series is what Thor would be like if he was reincarnated as a laptop. This incredibly luxurious unit has a 13.1 inch display with – get this – a standard resolution of 1600×900 that can be upgraded to 1920×1280. Nope, that isn’t a typo. Both displays are beautiful as well – bright, with good viewing angels, and while they are glossy they are don’t have the plastic sheen found on the glossy displays of less expensive laptops.

And it gets better. The Sony Z Series laptops are 1 to 1.2 inches thick. That is a little big for an ultra-thin, but the extra thickness is well used. Instead of a Core 2 Duo with integrated graphics the Sony Z Series offers a Core i5 processor with switchable Nvidia 330M graphics. Again, this is standard, and it is backed up by a 128GB SSD and 4GB of RAM.

Of course, having all of this hardware crammed into a small and thin chassis raises the price. You’ll be spending around $2000 for one of these. However, it is totally worth it. Besides, do your kids really need to eat?

Buy the Sony Z Series at Amazon.com

Convertible tablet computers have always existed as a niche product. Even after the release of the iPad, the convertible tablet has remained a shadowy product. Convertible tablets are not simple devices, and are not oriented towards simply watching videos or surfing the web. They are meant to get things done. An artist might use the touchscreen as a means of creating digital art, while a business might use one as to keep track of inventory in a large warehouse while actually walking around the warehouse.

Whatever the need, convertible tablet computers are quite brilliant. Perhaps no other category of computer has so many elegant solutions available. The three convertible tablet PCs listed here are absolutely great products, and the main difference between them is durability and price. The best convertible tablet PCs are meant to be used under the toughest conditions, but even consumer level tablets are very well built.

HP Touchsmart tm2t

The HP Touchsmart tm2t is a rare example of a convertible tablet PC which is built with the consumer market in mind. Weighing in at 4.8 pounds with battery, this isn’t the lightest tablet around, nor is it the thinnest. However, this tablet makes up for the weight with an excellent display. Tablet computers often suffer from flat color reproduction because the technology within the touchscreen isn’t favorable to creating a nice image, but the HP Touchsmart tm2t‘s glossy display does not have this disadvantage. It produces a brilliant image no matter how you use it.

The touchscreen itself is a 12.1 inch capacitive multi-touch screen capable of detecting two fingers at once. This allows for the use of popular multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom. Capacitive touchscreens normally don’t work well with a stylus, but this tablet comes with a Wacom pen which serves the purpose. The inclusion of the stylus makes the focus of the product clear – this is a convertible tablet PC for artists.

The HP Touchsmart tm2t is not among the best convertible tablet PCs in terms of performance, but the low-voltage Core 2 processor inside does allow for about seven hours of battery life, which is impressive. Also impressive is the price, which starts at $899. Although not as rugged as other convertible tablet PCs, this option is much less expensive. Consumers who don’t need an ultra-durable product will find the Touchsmart tm2t to be a good choice.

Lenovo X220 Series Tablet

Lenovo’s reputation as a maker of business laptops is legendary, so it is little surprise that the Lenovo ThinkPad X220 convertible tablet PC was able to make this best convertible tablet round-up. In fact, the Lenovo X series tablets have been the standard of the tablet PC world for years. Before the X220 was the X60, and before the X60 was the first Thinkpad tablet of recent times, the X41.

The Lenovo X200 tablet is, like all Thinkpads, well built. It has a very solid hinge, a great keyboard with little flex, and a chassis which feels extremely durable. The 12.1 inch widescreen isn’t the most brilliant screen ever invented, but it has a matte finish which makes this convertible tablet easy to use in brightly lit areas. An optional superbright display is available for use outdoors. The hardware is also impressive, as the latest second-generation Core i7 CPUs are available. Yet in spite of this very fast processor, the X200 is about an inch in thickness and only weighs between 3.5 and 3.7 pounds, depending on the options selected. A battery life of up to ten hours is possible with the optional 8-cell battery.

When compared to the HP Touchsmart the X200 is clearly a more durable and robust package. However, the durability comes at a great cost. You’ll spend at least $1699 on the Lenovo ThinkPad X220. That’s a lot of money, but for businesses which need a professional grade convertible tablet PC it will be money well spent.

Panasonic Toughbook C1

Lenovo is know for making tough business laptops, but they’re not alone in that category. In fact, there is another brand of laptop which is even more well known for making ultra-durable products – Panasonic’s Toughbook brand.

The Toughbook brand was originally created with a focus on law enforcement and military applications, and this remains the focus today. However, Toughbook has been using its reputation to get its foot into the door of the business world, and one of its flagship business products is the Toughbook C1, an extremely rugged convertible tablet PC. The Toughbook C1 is easily the best convertible tablet PC in terms of durability. It has been tested to survive a 30 inch drive, uses a “triple hinge” screen design and has all of the features you’d also receive on a Thinkpad, such as a spill resistant keyboard and shock-mounted hard drive.

Despite being rugged, the Panasonic Toughbook C1 is also the lightest convertible tablet PC, weighing in at 3.1 pounds. Inside you’ll find a Core i5 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. The Panasonic Toughbook C1 can mount two batteries, and is capable of achieving about five hours of life with one or ten hours with two. The inclusion of two batteries makes it possible to hot-swap batteries, so your ability to work away from a power socket is limited only by the number of batteries you can carry.

As with the Lenovo X200, purchasing the best convertible tablet PC isn’t cheap. The Toughbook C1 doesn’t have many customization options and is sold through reseller rather than directly through Panasonic. Most models will cost between $2500 and $3000.