1.86 or 2.13 Processor

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captain · #1 Post by **captain** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 9:21 pm

I am considering purchasing a T43 to replace a Dell that I got from work. There have been some good deals for the 1.86 Ghz model. I was just wondering what others opinions are regarding the performance difference between the 1.86 and 2.13 processors.

I generally am doing heavy office work (word, excel, access) and graphic design (InDesign, Photoshop) and such. I will only get a machine with a 7k RPM HD and will max out RAM after purchase. I'm hoping to get at least 2 years of good usage out of the laptop. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

brainpicker · #2 Post by **brainpicker** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 9:48 pm

I guess you'd have to determine if the price difference is worth the 10-15% or so performance gain for math intensive applications. You mentioned Excel. Are these really massive spreadsheets where (maybe) an extra few seconds or (at most) a minute might make a difference each time? My wife uses her 1.6GHz T40 for heavy Excel and Access and claims it's fine if that helps. I can't see anything else you stated making a big difference in my opinion. The pricing on the 2.13GHz units are much higher because it's the top dog right now. I guess if price is no object I'd get the 2.13, but if not I'd go with the 1.86GHz and upgrade in a few years as you stated. Use the money saved to max out your RAM and get a 7200RPM drive as you intend.

Good Luck,
Yak

DIGITALgimpus · #3 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 10:38 pm

realistically, the only place where you'll feel any gain is a few photoshop functions.

Excel doesn't even do anything complex enough to see a real speed enhancement that you'd notice (your talking fractions of a second). While complex to humans, excel's capabilities are rather basic for a computer.

IMHO 1.86GHz... but for photoshop that extra performance may come in handy.

It really depends.

IMHO the RAM would be better than the extra CPU.

kyrotech · #4 Post by **kyrotech** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:15 pm

since you are maxing out the ram to 2 GB and getting a fast 100 GB 7200 RPM drive, just max the cpu to 2.13 Ghz and have the best of the best, sir!

DIGITALgimpus · #5 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:50 pm

The question is partially performance:dollar ratio.

IMHO the processor speed bump really raises the cost, but I don't see much impact on performance.

1.86 or 2.13 Processor

1.86 or 2.13 Processor

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