Anybody using the new centrino chip?

[Mark Miller]

My wife just told me that she bought a new notebook [from qvc no less]We are going to set up a wireless network but I really don't know anyone who has one of these cetrino chips. Are they any good? Or did we just throw out alot of money?
Qvc?????
Mark

[Variable]

lol, poor Mark. My wife bought a flowbie and rear view sunglasses for me off the TV. They at least were cheap compared to a Notebook ;p
I just looked man, $1868 for a 1.3 centrino, Compaq's own website (not the cheapest place to buy them) has a 1.4 for $1699. Just call and cancel the order and tell your wife to let you pick the puters.
lol, I feel your pain...

http://www.smb.compaq.com/dstore/cto...8759&LowPrice=$1,699.00

http://www.qvc.com/asp/frameset.asp?...tDesc=Centrino


Variable

[saphalline]

The word "Centrino" itself is actually a bit loaded. When a notebook/laptop is labeled as having Centrino technology, it means a combination of three things: a Pentium-M processor, the i855GM mobile chipset, and Intel wireless ready (usually by a mini-PCI card).

The Pentium-M processor itself is actually a very nice CPU. It was code-named "Banias" during development (and the core may still be named this) and it's the first CPU ever to be specifically designed for mobile usage. All previous mobile CPU's have been desktop CPU's modified for lower power consumption. The Pentium-M is a lot like the PIII-M in that it gives a lot more performance per clock cycle than the P4-M, so a Pentium-M at 1.3GHz is roughly as fast as a P4-M at about 2GHz (while using less energy and producing less heat). This means the average Pentium-M equipped notebook/laptop has a longer battery life than one with the P4-M.

The i855GM chipset is a good chipset and has just about everything built-in, including video. Not to say that a notebook/laptop manufacturer can't put better video on it, I've seen ads for such mobile computers, but it's not usually done. So it's basically set up to be a low-end platform (for gaming).

The wireless part of the equation is fairly handy these days if you have a wireless network in place (or plan on doing so). Otherwise, this may be a waste of money. On the other hand, in the big scheme of mobile tech prices, how much can this actually cost? It's probably thrown in for free just to qualify said computer for "Centrino" status.

In conclusion - Centrino isn't bad, but if you're looking for a mobile gaming machine or pure speed without regard for price, it probably isn't for you. If you're looking for the best & cheapest in mobile computing today, you can't beat it!

[jabarnutcase]

Yes Mark- That's actually a pretty nice notebook.
And it comes with an added bonus!!!
If you accept it with a smile, and don't complain too much, you can go out and buy a new toy without telling her too!

[Mark Miller]

Thanks guys,
By the way the notebook from qvc was on special and allot less than the price they have now. They also threw in some software [some of witch I can actually use] and a very good [Kenneth Cole] carrying case.
My wife has had a tough year so she deserved a nice present and because she picked it out she feels very good about it. I am very curious to see the wide angle screen [15.4]
Anyway we are getting it and I am now going to have to set up a wireless network. Joy!!!
Mark

[saphalline]

Well I'm jealous!! I want a Pentium-M equipped notebook! A nice slim one that doesn't weigh too much. That's on my wish-list anyway, but who knows how long until I can afford one...

[jjoel]

Get a Gateway 450 SX4 (I GOT ONE)

p4m 2.0
512 ram
60 gig
ati 32 mb mobile card

pretty nice setup but the battery life could be a little better (2:30 babying it)

oh and its pretty thing too!