Laptops and processors

[Arjay]

Hi,

I've been looking at buying a laptop, well have been for about two months now, just can't decide which one. My questions is, some of the laptops i've looked at have mobile processors and some don't, what is the difference and would it make any difference to the laptop or to the user?

Also if anyone has any recommendations on laptops they would be very welcome cos i can't decide which one. I'm thinking Sony, Toshiba or Samsung. Why do Sony still build their FX series with a 8mb Graphics card and all the other companies use 16, 32 and 64mb?

Thanks in advance for your time and help..

Arjay

[Timothy L. Miller]

My questions is, some of the laptops i've looked at have mobile processors and some don't, what is the difference and would it make any difference to the laptop or to the user?
Moblie processors suppport energy saving features such as intels speed step (2 GHz P4M runs at 1 GHz when on batteries, saving life), they run at 100 (200/400) MHz FSB instead of 133(266/533). Therefore they aren't as powerful as their desktop counterparts, but run at lower temperatures, and you will(usually) get a SIGNIFICANTLY increased battery life when comparing the 2. If you don't plan on using your laptop on batteries very often, you should be ok getting a desktop chip in a laptop. If you plan on doing a lot of commuting, then get a mobile processor.
Why do Sony still build their FX series with a 8mb Graphics card and all the other companies use 16, 32 and 64mb?
Several reasons. First is price. Those old 8MB chipsets are a lot cheaper, therefore they're able to make more profit, and sell the laptops a little cheaper. Secondly, if someone is buying their laptop as an office-on-the-go, they don't need any more than that. I have a laptop that has a 0MB graphics, it simply shares 4MB of system memory. I don't play any games on it, so what would have been the point in paying all the extra money for a card capable of games? That 4 MB integrated displays my spreadsheets, web, and email just fine. And the occasional game of Kshisen works just fine too.