Laptop Processor Question

[PuppyforChrist]

So some of you out there know I've been having problems with my laptop. Gaming is a no-no on my laptop because of graphics freezing after 10 minutes or so of game play, and I recently just discovered that my laptop does not fit the minimum requirements for Windows Vista or Office 2007.

I think I know what the problem is finally. My processor.

I'm not on my laptop right now, I'm at work. But I believe my processor is either 1.4 or 1.5 GHz. Whatever the minimum processor is for a 600m Inspiron. I need at least a 1.8 for any of the new Windows software.

And for the record even if my PC was able to use Windows Vista, I can't get it yet. Since I'm a college student, some of the required software that I need on my laptop to get access to the school network is not compatable with Vista yet. I was recomended not to get Vista until then from the computing center here. But there shouldn't be a problem with Office 2007.

Well anyway, I was looking on the Dell website and I found processor replacements for my specific laptop. This is the catch though, because my latop is so old all the processors are referbs.

But this one caught my eye:

Refurbished: 2.0 GHz Pentium-M Dothan Processor
Price: $491.95

Most of the other processors were almost $1,000.

What do you guys know about these kinds of processors? (Pentium-M Dothan) Are they any good? I think my current processor is a Centium something.. I don't quite remember off hand.

My plan is to get a new processor over the summer when I'm home from school, install it, and try it. My dad would probably be able to work on it. He knows more about computer constructing than me.

But my other question is this: If I install this processor, and it ends up not working properly, can I put the old processor back on? Or is it unuseable as soon as I take it off? And, will I lose all my data when I replace the processor? Or no?

Since it's referbished, Dell will give me my money back after 90 days if I send it back saying it doesn't work. So money isn't too much of an issue there.

What do you guys think? Should I try for this processor or is it no good? If not, what should I look for either at another website or someplace else? I want to avoid buying a new PC altogether if all I need is a new processor.

 

[KristianJ]

Okay...where to start? I don't know much about the 600m, but looking at a CNet review, it has a Pentium M processor, which is what the Dothan is. There were 2 different "types" of Pentium M processors - the Banias and the Dothan (the differences are probably not as relevant to what we're discussing as you might think). They're very capable processors and you can't rely on the GHz to get a proper assessment of their power - your CPU is probably equivalent to about a 2.6 to 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 CPU (which is usually what Microsoft use in their system requirements). What you recall as a "Centium" is probably an Intel Centrino sticker on your laptop, which indicates that your wireless card is made by Intel, as well as the CPU and the chipset. Just a marketing term, really.

I know for sure that your laptop's processor would run Vista - I ran the beta on my IBM ThinkPad T40 (which is compared to the 600m in the CNet review) last year for a day or 2 without too many issues - but your graphics card would be the probable issue and not the CPU. It'll probably have a card with either 32 or 64MB of memory according to the CNet review, which is below the 128MB you'd need to run Vista with the fancy "Aero"effects. But it will still work. Now the graphics card isn't upgradeable, I reckon...they're usually soldered to the motherboard of a laptop. Mine is. Also, while you mention Office 2007, it'll be fine too, and I recommend it, having used the beta last year and with the Pro version on my laptop now.

Now, back to your CPU. If I was in your position, I wouldn't buy the one that Dell is selling. What size hard drive and how much RAM do you have? If you're looking for a bit of a speed increase, invest in some extra memory and a hard drive with 7200rpm speed. You might find a fast and cheaper Dothan CPU on eBay or at a local computer parts retailer, because I've seen them sold in new condition for almost half what Dell's charging.

From my perspective and having a similar laptop as yours, my T40 started off with its 1.5GHz CPU, 512 MB RAM and a 40GB hard drive. I've upped the RAM to 1GB and bought a larger hard drive (same speed of 5400rpm though, and yours will more than likely be a 5400rpm drive) and it feels fine and speedy. If I ever do feel the need to upgrade my CPU, it'd be after I up the RAM to its maximum of 2GB and buy a 7200rpm hard drive (I've seen and read plenty of testimonies of the performance increases that these offer)

And to answer a couple more questions, you will be able to reinstall the old CPU, and you shouldn't lose any of your data, although a backup mightn't be a bad idea.

Good luck deciding what you want to do...maybe in the end you might get more out of selling your current laptop and putting whatever you get for it and the nearly $500 you'd pay for the Dothan on a new laptop that you know will run Vista at its fullest and has the newer Intel dual core CPUs

 

[Sketcher]

A Celeron-M, you mean?

One thing you should know about refurbished if you didn't already: A refurbished part already failed for someone else. I personally don't trust refurbished parts, since I can't fix them myself.

 

[Quantos]

FYI at almost $500 for your "upgrade" you can get a new laptop starting at that price range.

Throw in a few hundred more (700-800 total) and you can get yourself a good laptop for school

 

[Quantos]

Followup info
Two ads from todays paper
(And they both can run & come with Vista)

 

[macrohard]

I just recently did a review of a network appliance we are considering at work, and I had a choice between 2 models, which run either a celeron or a pentium processor.

If you want longevity and reliablity and plan on having your laptop for awhile, stick with the Pentium. It will cost more, but you may less headaches.

 

[PuppyforChrist]

Well my dad is actually disallowing to help me purchase anything for my computer.. again. Since I don't have enough money I was hoping by the time summer rolls around he could help me, but he said there is absolutly nothing wrong with what I have. He told me he forbids me to get a new computer until I graduate college and get a real job and make real money.

I don't think he understands that my computer, for five years old - at least, no longer sold on Dell, not so good reviews on CNET, horrible processor, bad graphics for games, etc, I have a feeling when he bought this for me just dug it out of the trash somewhere... Seriously..

What's worse is that I just got in contact with the computing center here at my school, and they told me that over the summer they are hoping to have all the labs and offices equipped with Office 2007. So I probably will need to get at least Office 2007 before Fall 07.

But here's another question - It says I need at least a 1.5 processor to run Office 2007, I confirmed my suspisions and I have a 1.4. Will it still run? I have plenty of space. My dad did tell me that just because I don't meet the requirements for the program does not mean it will not run. (Of course he also said there was nothing wrong with Office 2003 and wouldn't let me get Office 2007 unless necessary.)

So will Office 2007 run on that low of a processor? (1.4)

 

[pgp_protector]

Office should run even on a 1.4, it just may not run smoothly.

You can go to Microsoft's site & download a demo/trial version of office 2007 to test it out on your system. (Note it's about 1G total download if you download everything)

 

[macrohard]

If its Office 2007 is a problem, you can also try out Openoffice.

http://www.openoffice.org/

It is also available for Windows as well.

 

[Sketcher]

What's worse is that I just got in contact with the computing center here at my school, and they told me that over the summer they are hoping to have all the labs and offices equipped with Office 2007. So I probably will need to get at least Office 2007 before Fall 07.

I don't think you have to run Office 2007. Just save your files in a format that the current version of Office that you are running will read. And since you don't need Office 2007, you won't need Vista either.

 

[pgp_protector]

I don't think you have to run Office 2007. Just save your files in a format that the current version of Office that you are running will read. And since you don't need Office 2007, you won't need Vista either.

You don't need vista for Office 2007.
I'm running Office 2007 on my laptop (XP) with no problems.

 

[pgp_protector]

From http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/HA101668651033.aspx#4

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Requirments


Computer and processor 500 megahertz (MHz) processor or higher
Memory 256 megabyte (MB) RAM or higher
Hard disk 1.5 gigabyte (GB); a portion of this disk space will be freed after installation if the original download package is removed from the hard drive.
Drive CD-ROM or DVD drive
Display 1024x768 or higher resolution monitor
Operating system Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack (SP) 2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, or later operating system

 

[KristianJ]

Well my dad is actually disallowing to help me purchase anything for my computer.. again. Since I don't have enough money I was hoping by the time summer rolls around he could help me, but he said there is absolutly nothing wrong with what I have. He told me he forbids me to get a new computer until I graduate college and get a real job and make real money.

I don't think he understands that my computer, for five years old - at least, no longer sold on Dell, not so good reviews on CNET, horrible processor, bad graphics for games, etc, I have a feeling when he bought this for me just dug it out of the trash somewhere... Seriously..

What's worse is that I just got in contact with the computing center here at my school, and they told me that over the summer they are hoping to have all the labs and offices equipped with Office 2007. So I probably will need to get at least Office 2007 before Fall 07.

But here's another question - It says I need at least a 1.5 processor to run Office 2007, I confirmed my suspisions and I have a 1.4. Will it still run? I have plenty of space. My dad did tell me that just because I don't meet the requirements for the program does not mean it will not run. (Of course he also said there was nothing wrong with Office 2003 and wouldn't let me get Office 2007 unless necessary.)

So will Office 2007 run on that low of a processor? (1.4)

As the above posts says, yes, and very comfortably. Thing is though, a better CPU won't help you with your games - that's a graphics card issue and you can't change that unless you get a new laptop (or in some cases buy an upgraded motherboard).

In regards to Office, unless you would be required to save any of your work in the .docx (taking Word as an example) format that is native to 2007, you don't need it. You can open Office 97-2003 files in Office 07 and save them in the same format. Download a trial version of the Professional version (which is about 450 to 500MB IIRC) from the Office section of the Microsoft website and let it run for the 60 day period to see how it goes.

 

[complexity]

I recently just got a Dell Inspiron 1501 for CHristmas from my mom and step-dad. Mine came with an AMD processor and well my laptop was abut $1000. BUt for the price of the new processor, you could buy a whole new laptop. Save up some money and save all your important files to a flash drive and you can transfer them over to a new computer. My advice is to save up money and get a newer laptop

 

[wolfman544]

FYI at almost $500 for your "upgrade" you can get a new laptop starting at that price range.

Throw in a few hundred more (700-800 total) and you can get yourself a good laptop for school

I recently just got a Dell Inspiron 1501 for CHristmas from my mom and step-dad. Mine came with an AMD processor and well my laptop was abut $1000. BUt for the price of the new processor, you could buy a whole new laptop. Save up some money and save all your important files to a flash drive and you can transfer them over to a new computer. My advice is to save up money and get a newer laptop

I agree with these 2, with the prices they charge to upgrade, it's more worth it to get a new system, sadly.
Personally, at home I'm not even running xp yet, I prefer 2000, but with that I can't get office 2k7. Oh well.

 

[pgp_protector]

FYI you can also cheat (sorta)

You've got a budget of 500 Right ?

Format & Restore your current laptop (After pulling off all the data you want to keep)

E-Bay it & use that money With the $500 to buy your new laptop.