Laptop computer processors are very different from their desktop counterparts. The primary reason for this is the limited amount of power they have to run on when the laptop is not plugged into an outlet. The less power that the laptop uses, the longer the system should be able to run for off the battery. To do this, the processor manufacturers employ a large number of tricks such as CPU scaling where a processor scales its power usage (and thus performance) to the tasks at hand. This presents a major challenge in balanced performance and power consumption.
There are five distinct categories that I classify for laptop computers, each with its own distinct purpose for those using them. To match these systems to the computing tasks you also want to select the proper processor.
Budget Laptops
Budget laptops are those developed to provide a functional portable computer at low price point. They use a wide range of processors because often they are based upon older processors that use to be found in higher end laptops or the newer low cost processors. All of the processors listed here should be able to do all the basic computing tasks including web browsing, email, word processing and presentation. They are also very capable at being used for DVD playback as well. About the only thing that value system processors will not be able to do well is gaming and high-end graphics applications. Here are some of the processors to look for in this range:
- AMD Sempron SI-40
- AMD Turion 64 X2 RM-72 and Lower
- AMD Turion X2 Ultra ZM-82 and Lower
- Intel Core 2 Duo P7350
- Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 and Lower
- Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 and Lower
- Intel Core 2 Duo T6400
- Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 and Lower
- Intel Core 2 Duo T8200 and Lower
- Intel Pentium Dual-Core T3400 and Lower
Ultraportables
Ultraportables are systems that are designed to be as light and compact as possible yet powerful enough for most common business applications such as e-mail, word processing and presentation software. These systems are geared towards those people who travel a lot (often called road warriors) who want a system that is not very cumbersome. They are willing to sacrifice computing power and peripherals for portability. There are few choices in this category, but it makes comparison very easy. Below are the processors found in ultraportables:
- AMD Athlon Neo MV-40
- AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-66 and Lower
- Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 to SL9600
- Intel Core 2 Duo SP9300 to SP9600
- Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 to SU9600
Netbooks
Netbooks are a fairly new classification of systems. They tend to be a bit smaller than ultraportables and a lot cheaper. The reason for this is that they have limited functionality through the removal of features. The processors are generally use very little power but also tend to have limited performance. They are best suited as mobile interenet systems than as full blown laptop PCs. Below are common processors found in the netbook segment:
- Intel Atom N270 and Higher
- Intel Atom Z520 and Higher
- VIA C7-M
- VIA Nano L2100 and Higher
- VIA Nano U2300 and Higher
Thin and Light
A thin and light laptop is one that is able to perform pretty much any computing task at least on some level. These systems can vary widely in terms of their price and performance. They tend to perform better than the counterparts in the value category or ultraportables but they are smaller and more portable than the large media centric desktop replacements. Here are some of the processors that can be found in this category of laptops:
- AMD Turion X2 Ultra ZM-80 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Duo T8200 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Duo T9200 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 and Higher
Desktop Replacements
Desktop replacement systems are designed to be a complete system that has the equivalent processing power and capability to a desktop system, but in a mobile package. They tend to be larger and bulkier to fit all the components to allow the system perform at almost the same level as a desktop in all aspects of computing. In general a desktop replacement will perform exceptionally well and will even be able to run 3D games. Mobile gaming is getting close to desktop performance, but the cost is much greater and still not the same as the top end desktop graphics. Here are some of the processors that can be found in this category of machine:
- AMD Turion X2 Ultra ZM-80 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Extreme X7800 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Extreme X9000 and Higher
- Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300
