Pentium M vs Pentium 4

[Ajaxab]

I'm looking into getting a new laptop and was wondering if anyone could simplify the difference between these two chips when it comes to speed. I've done a bit of browsing on the web about the differences and it's very difficult to find a definitive answer. It seems as though adding roughly 500 mhz to the speed of an M processor will give you its P4 equivalent, but it's difficult to say. I hope to use this machine for the next 3-4 years (my P III 600 mhz has held up that long) and will use it for word processing, text sims, web browsing and maybe some more graphically intensive games. What I'm considering is either an M 1.4/M1.5 vs. a P4 2.8/3.0. Would it be stupid to get an M 1.4 instead of a P4 2.8? In either case, I would be getting 1 GB of memory. Any thoughts?

[Draft Dodger]

the biggest question is WHERE are you going to use the computer. if you are going to cart this around a lot, and run it off the battery, a P-M is a great choice - it runs much more efficiently and will give you significantly better batter life while running cooler.

if this is strictly a desktop replacement, the P4 probably will give you more bang for the buck.

I would say the 500 mhz comparision is about right (I'd say more like 700 or 800 or so) as a rough guide, although I'd guess there's more accurate benchmarks out there.

[Danny]

P4 possesses greater power and cheaper price. Pentium M has more battery life, runs cooler and is quieter.

Dola, my recommendation is the Pentium M if you can afford it. Studies have shown that a Pentium M 1.6 is equivalent to a P4 2.4 (its basically 1.5 times the speed to figure out the P4 equivalent).

Pentium M also has a 1MB (Banias line) or 2 MB (Dothan line) cache which is nice.

[Marc Vaughan]

For poartables the M rocks - imho if you go for high end non-portable Pentium processors then they tend to overheat (and thus run slow) anyway ...

[Shaun Sullivan]

I have a Pentium M 1.6ghz in my Thinkpad R50, and it rocks. I was actually shocked at how fast it was when I first got it. It's true it runs likea 2.4+ pentium desktop (or better). Add to that 802.11g wireless and I have haven't touched my desktop in a while. I can roam the house and get a lot more done, with 4 kids that can be important :)

One other suggestion I'd make is get at least a 60-80gb HD.

Shaun

[Ajaxab]

Thanks for the input. Now perhaps the more difficult question would be who to buy from. I'd appreciate any recommendations.