I'd like to see something like this detail below (from another website) for all the various options in PC specialist. Something on the chassis would be good to add also.
AMD's Dual Cores
AMD has aimed 3 different groups of Dual Core processors:
P320, P340, N330, N350
These set of processors have decent speed, and about the same speed as some older Core 2 Duo processors of the same or slightly slower speed, with the added advantage of a lower power consumption. If you can find laptops with these processors, they've got very good battery life, topped with an integrated AMD graphics card on the majority of the models, enabling HD video playback and lower graphics gameplay on the cheap. Perfect for office work. Not recommended for photo/video editing.
P520, N540, N530, N550
These processors are slightly faster than the set above, with most laptops offering a slightly faster integrated graphics card. Not a whole lot of difference for multimedia playback from the entry CPUs, but is slightly more able for games, eg slightly old games on lowest settings. Can handle photo/video editing poorly.
P650, N620, N660
These processors are AMD's fastest mobile Dual Cores, and they only match up to Intel's i3 series entry processors. Purchase only if prices are below the i3 prices, as the integrated graphics on these AMD models are on par/slightly slower than the Intel HD. Can handle small resolution photo editing only.
AMD's Tri Cores
P820, P860, N840, N850, N870
AMD tripped up a bit on the Tri Cores, although it packs an extra core, the processor optimization is quite poor, and in some benchmarks are only slightly faster than Intels old Core 2's and AMDs Dual core processors. If you're using a program that optimizes more than 2 cores you'd notice a difference, but for some not justified in the extra price. Bearable for photo editing, only higher clocked tri core's recommended for slow video editing. Good battery life
AMD's Quad Cores
P920, P960, N940, N930, N950, N970, X620, X920, X940
AMD is still stuck behind Intel's architecture and it shows in AMDs Quad core processors. Performance wise, they're good for photo editing and bearable for video encoding, most of the Quad's should be on par with Intel's i5 series, with the X models (black editions) able to reach entry level first gen i7 laptops, very respectable and much cheaper if you can find models with the processor in it. The X models are very capable of photo editing and video editing, and most models with those processors come packed with a fast graphics card, for all round good performance.
Intels 2nd Generation
For many people, the 2nd generation of i series processors is an evolutionary leap, and come much closer to desktop performance than ever before. It firmly puts Intel ahead in the processor performance league.
i3
2310M
The entry level 2nd Generation i3 series are on par with the entry level i5 first generation at a much cheaper price. If you're on the market for a fast laptop at decent prices, I heartily recommend this range of processors. They're faster, very power friendly and come with the Intel HD 3000, which can handle modern games at low/medium settings with ease. Can handle photo editing well, and video editing bearable. Smooth HD playback.
i5
2620M, 2649M, 2629M, 2657M, 2617M, 2537M, 2540M, 2520M, 2515E, 2510E, 2410M
The i5 series yet again pushes it further and are faster than any of the AMD processors available on the mobile market. The integrated graphics on these processors are faster than the i3, therefore giving better gaming and editing performance.
i7
2920XM, 2820QM, 2720QM, 2715QE, 2710QE, 2635QM, 2630QM
The i7 mobile series are on par with the entry desktop i7 processors, which is amazing in its own. Definitely recommended for photo and video editing. The i7 comes with fast integrated graphics, though most laptops will offer a faster dedicated graphics solution on their i7 laptops. Recommended for gaming and serious video editing use.
Memory
Of course with the latest processors, the old DDR2 memory has officially been dumped, and optimize the faster DDR3, allowing for more snappy response times for loading programs/editing, as well as allowing for integrated graphics card to give way for faster speeds.
Graphics
The graphics segment has stagnated a bit lately. Nvidia's new graphics cards have managed to reach a point where they haven't pushed out desktop high performance, but have reduced power consumption, allowing for better battery life. The same applies to AMD, with only its dual graphics solution allowing for desktop performance. Intel's integrated graphics has increased performance, closing the gap slightly between dedicated and integrated, and is a cheap and cheerful alternative for entry level gaming/small scale editing.
Both Nvidia and AMD however have said they are committed to high performance and we could see an overhaul in performance by the end of this year.
In short: If you're on a tight budget, AMD's dual core solutions are very good and can be found at very reasonable prices. Intel's new entry i series offer better performance than the first generation i series processors at an almost similar price, so check to make sure you're looking at second generation processors
AMD's Dual Cores
AMD has aimed 3 different groups of Dual Core processors:
P320, P340, N330, N350
These set of processors have decent speed, and about the same speed as some older Core 2 Duo processors of the same or slightly slower speed, with the added advantage of a lower power consumption. If you can find laptops with these processors, they've got very good battery life, topped with an integrated AMD graphics card on the majority of the models, enabling HD video playback and lower graphics gameplay on the cheap. Perfect for office work. Not recommended for photo/video editing.
P520, N540, N530, N550
These processors are slightly faster than the set above, with most laptops offering a slightly faster integrated graphics card. Not a whole lot of difference for multimedia playback from the entry CPUs, but is slightly more able for games, eg slightly old games on lowest settings. Can handle photo/video editing poorly.
P650, N620, N660
These processors are AMD's fastest mobile Dual Cores, and they only match up to Intel's i3 series entry processors. Purchase only if prices are below the i3 prices, as the integrated graphics on these AMD models are on par/slightly slower than the Intel HD. Can handle small resolution photo editing only.
AMD's Tri Cores
P820, P860, N840, N850, N870
AMD tripped up a bit on the Tri Cores, although it packs an extra core, the processor optimization is quite poor, and in some benchmarks are only slightly faster than Intels old Core 2's and AMDs Dual core processors. If you're using a program that optimizes more than 2 cores you'd notice a difference, but for some not justified in the extra price. Bearable for photo editing, only higher clocked tri core's recommended for slow video editing. Good battery life
AMD's Quad Cores
P920, P960, N940, N930, N950, N970, X620, X920, X940
AMD is still stuck behind Intel's architecture and it shows in AMDs Quad core processors. Performance wise, they're good for photo editing and bearable for video encoding, most of the Quad's should be on par with Intel's i5 series, with the X models (black editions) able to reach entry level first gen i7 laptops, very respectable and much cheaper if you can find models with the processor in it. The X models are very capable of photo editing and video editing, and most models with those processors come packed with a fast graphics card, for all round good performance.
Intels 2nd Generation
For many people, the 2nd generation of i series processors is an evolutionary leap, and come much closer to desktop performance than ever before. It firmly puts Intel ahead in the processor performance league.
i3
2310M
The entry level 2nd Generation i3 series are on par with the entry level i5 first generation at a much cheaper price. If you're on the market for a fast laptop at decent prices, I heartily recommend this range of processors. They're faster, very power friendly and come with the Intel HD 3000, which can handle modern games at low/medium settings with ease. Can handle photo editing well, and video editing bearable. Smooth HD playback.
i5
2620M, 2649M, 2629M, 2657M, 2617M, 2537M, 2540M, 2520M, 2515E, 2510E, 2410M
The i5 series yet again pushes it further and are faster than any of the AMD processors available on the mobile market. The integrated graphics on these processors are faster than the i3, therefore giving better gaming and editing performance.
i7
2920XM, 2820QM, 2720QM, 2715QE, 2710QE, 2635QM, 2630QM
The i7 mobile series are on par with the entry desktop i7 processors, which is amazing in its own. Definitely recommended for photo and video editing. The i7 comes with fast integrated graphics, though most laptops will offer a faster dedicated graphics solution on their i7 laptops. Recommended for gaming and serious video editing use.
Memory
Of course with the latest processors, the old DDR2 memory has officially been dumped, and optimize the faster DDR3, allowing for more snappy response times for loading programs/editing, as well as allowing for integrated graphics card to give way for faster speeds.
Graphics
The graphics segment has stagnated a bit lately. Nvidia's new graphics cards have managed to reach a point where they haven't pushed out desktop high performance, but have reduced power consumption, allowing for better battery life. The same applies to AMD, with only its dual graphics solution allowing for desktop performance. Intel's integrated graphics has increased performance, closing the gap slightly between dedicated and integrated, and is a cheap and cheerful alternative for entry level gaming/small scale editing.
Both Nvidia and AMD however have said they are committed to high performance and we could see an overhaul in performance by the end of this year.
In short: If you're on a tight budget, AMD's dual core solutions are very good and can be found at very reasonable prices. Intel's new entry i series offer better performance than the first generation i series processors at an almost similar price, so check to make sure you're looking at second generation processors
