Processor question

[JaredK511]

Hi I'm new and not the most computer savvy guy, so I have a question. I recently purchased a new laptop:
Area-51® m5550

Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5500 1.66GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 - Free Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium! - Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
Display: Alienware® m5550 15.4" WideXGA 1280 x 800 LCD - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 512MB
System Drive: 80GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software MPEG2 Decoder
Video/Graphics Card: 128MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1400
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service

I had a budget so I decided not to upgrade the processor (i upped the memory and harddrive). I left it at default as you can see. I know it's the lowest model they have, but how does it compare with other processors? Is 1.6 ghz worse than another processor with lets say 2 or 3 ghz?

I'm not a hardcore gamer or anything...but I do use my laptop everyday (college). The reason I had to buy a new one was because my 1 and 2 month old cyberpower computer overheated and fried on me, killing my mobo and power supply. No more warranty and I figured it'd be better to buy a new laptop.

Thoughts?

[azzey]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif, JaredK511!

The processor is a mobile Core 2 Duo processor, and is designed to have very low power consumption to prolong battery life. The clock speed isn't really what you should worry about. If you're using the notebook for college, battery life is usually the concern because it's often difficult to find a place to plug in (of course, all institutions are different).

I looked up a comparison chart (http://indigo.intel.com/compare_cpu/showchart.aspx?mmID=884607,884604,884325&familyID=2&culture=en-US) from Intel that shows the differences between some of the mobile processors so you can see for yourself. Obviously the clock speed will affect the performance, but other things such as the cache size also affect performance.

For office apps, etc, the difference wouldn't even be noticable. Plus, you put the money where it is probably best spent -- the RAM and hard drive.

Personally, I would have done the same thing.