How to buy the best new CPU
The laptop lowdown
You won't have to juggle as many product lines and specs when comparing Intel's and AMD's laptop processors, since you'll have fewer models to choose among than with desktop chips. But you still need to consider a handful of important features.
Intel's mobile Core 2 Duo chips are dual-core CPUs with Intel 64 support. The Core 2 Duo T5x00 is Intel's midrange processor series, while the high-end T7x00 chips offer faster FSB ratings and larger caches.
The older Core Duo design is still in use on some less-expensive notebooks. These chips fall into the middle range of FSB speeds, but they lack Intel 64 features, so they'll work only with 32-bit operating systems. They're lower in price than the Core 2 Duo, but the two cores mean this chip series is still a decent performer.
The Celeron M uses the same basic chip design as the Core Duo, but it has the slowest FSB rating, the smallest cache of Intel's current mobile line, and just a single core. Though it doesn't hold up well in multitasking situations, the Celeron M may be plenty for notebooks used primarily for Web browsing, e-mail, and other simple tasks.
AMD's primary mobile CPU is the Turion 64 X2. This dual-core model includes AMD64 support, HyperTransport technology, and PowerNow battery-saving features. Intel's Core 2 Duo outperforms the Turion 64 X2, but AMD's chip line holds the price advantage. The Turion 64 is a single-core version of the chip.
The Mobile Sempron is AMD's budget laptop chip. It's a single-core CPU designed for entry-level laptops, and, while it lacks AMD64 support, it does support AMD's PowerNow. Like Intel's Celeron M, it's a good choice for notebooks that won't be used for demanding tasks.
Unless you rarely need to run your laptop off its battery, avoid notebooks that employ processors designed for desktop machines. Though today's desktop CPUs have power-saving features, they can't match the power efficiency and lower heat output of today's mobile-processor-and-chipset combinations.
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