Broadband Politics - Latest Comments in Ultra-cool Computers

Re: Ultra-cool Computers

Richard Bennett — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:53:57 -0000

Yes, the X200 has a faster CPU, but that's not the only feature that matters in an ultra-portable. Beyond a certain point, it doesn't really matter.

The capacitive-touch screen on the XT is a real trend-setter. See the review at Gotta Be Mobile for some insight.

Re: Ultra-cool Computers

George Ou — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:41:15 -0000

Intel Centrino 2 graphics aren't too bad if you're not a gamer. The main reason they use integrated chipset as oppose to a discrete graphics card is that it saves a significant amount of power.

Re: Ultra-cool Computers

George Ou — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:39:55 -0000

I just got a new Lenovo X200 (non tablet). You better believe the 2.4 GHz Intel 45nm processor is MORE than double the speed of the Intel 1.2 GHz 65nm processor. You not only have better IPC (instructions per second) on the 45nm chip, you get SSE4.1 capability which doubles the speed per GHz for video encoding. So in some cases, the 2.4 GHz is 4x the speed of the 1.2 GHz processor.

As for the fact that the 1.2 GHz 65nm CPU is a 10W TDP part while the 2.4 GHz 45nm CPU is a 25W part, the 45nm chips have better average power consumption than the TDP suggests. So the power advantage for the 1.2 GHz part is not nearly as good as the difference in TDP suggests. You also have to realize that the X200 has one of the best battery life of any ultra mobile despite the fact that it's not using a low voltage CPU.

At this point, I would not buy any laptop with an old 65nm CPU and old chipset. The new chipset and 45nm CPU is the only way to go.

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