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General discussion

Pentium M and Centrino Chips - Advice/Info needed

by JJohnson Oct 5, 2004 4:57AM PDT

I am looking for a new laptop to use for basic tasks (i.e. word processing, emails, internet...).

My understanding is that the Centrino is for wirelss and works along with the main CPU. Is this basically just an internal receiver?

What is the Pentium M and does it replace the Pentium 4's? Is this recommended?

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Re: Pentium M and Centrino Chips - Advice/Info needed

by KenSanramon Oct 5, 2004 10:35AM PDT

You can get a built in minipci card for wi-fi (Intel 2200b/g or equivalent) on a Pentium 4M notebook, a Pentium M (Centrino) notebook or an Athlon 64 notebook.
Nearly any major brand costing $1,000 and up should have built a built in wi-fi with 54g backwards compatible to b (don't get stuck with an older model that has b only which is up to 5x slower and won't save you much on cost).

Pentium M (Centrino) machines have a special Intel chipset that works with the Pentium M cpu to achieve the best battery life, wi-fi performance and notebook thickness/weight (as these weigh less and use less heat than a Pentium 4M).

You will get 3.5 - 4 hours at least using wi-fi all the time on a Pentium M Centrino notebook and up to 5 hours with wi-fi turned off. Watching DVD's will give similar battery life to wi-fi's.

A Pentium 4M notebook will get 2.5 hours maximum if you are fortunate.

See Intel.com for their Pentium M (Centrino) description.

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