Keeping track of Intel's chips
What is the difference between the Intel Core Solo processor and the Intel Core Duo processor? What do you recommend I get for a laptop? I will use it for graphics layout tasks, music and photograph storage, and photo editing and slide show production.
All of a sudden, Intel's lineup has become difficult to follow. You failed to mention the Core 2 Duo, the newest chip. Maybe you already had a headache!
OK, enough of that. AMD has been making Intel look bad for three years. Its 64-bit, dual core chips were more advanced than anything Intel had.
Meanwhile, Intel hit the wall trying to produce a 4 gigahertz chip. In October, 2004, Intel said it would stop emphasizing raw speed. That had been a winning strategy for many years. But AMD's chips ran at much slower speeds and used much less power.
With its Core chips, Intel has clearly broken with its speed-demon past. Furthermore, the Core 2 Duo is significantly more powerful than AMD's best.
The Core Solo and Core Duo were introduced in January. Both are used primarily in laptops. Apple also uses these chips in desktops. These are 32-bit chips. That's fine, because 99.9 percent of consumer software is 32-bit.
The words Solo and Duo refer to the number of cores on the chip. A core is basically a complete microprocessor. The Solo has one usable core, the Duo two. Assuming the software you are using can access two cores, two is better than one. For instance, you may be using Adobe Photoshop for your photo editing. Photoshop is advanced; it should take advantage of the two cores.
The Core Solo is a Core Duo chip with one core disabled. So it is likely to be less powerful. But both chips are good.
The word "good" does not do justice to the Core 2 Duo chip. (The number 2 connotes a new generation, according to Intel.) That processor not only has two cores; it also runs 64-bit programs. That isn't important today, but it will be eventually. It also runs at a higher speed than its Core cousins.
Tests online indicate this chip is about 20 percent more powerful than comparable AMD equipment. That is a stunning jump.
I expect AMD to produce muscular new chips. In fact, this competition will result in constant improvements. And it should hold down prices. It's a great situation for consumers.
So, what should you buy? At this point, 64-bit capability is unimportant. So, I wouldn't give that much weight. If you're using Photoshop or other advanced software, a Duo is worthwhile. If you must have speed, the Core 2 Duos will be out in a few days.
Personally, I'd probably go for a Core 2 Duo. It will be offered in several iterations, based on clock speed. I'd look for one in the middle of the range.
AMD chips are still plenty fast, too. Some laptops have AMD's Turion chip, which is good.
One other thing: It's easy to fall into the trap of waiting. That's because we know something hotter, cooler or faster is coming soon. Unfortu-nately, that's always the case. So do your homework, buy what you need, and don't look back.
