What Type of Processor Should a Notebook Have?

Notebook processors vary, and you can usually tell how powerful a notebook processor is by the price tag. The higher the price of a notebook or laptop, the more powerful the processor. There is no one "best" processor. What kind of processor your notebook should have depends on what you plan to doing with your computer. Games and videos which feature a large amount of graphics and sound will need a more powerful processor. For more information on what type of processor a notebook should have, read the article below.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Notebook or laptop Processor of your choice

1. Decide how much power you need or want. The more expensive the notebook, the more power it will have. If you are just going to use your notebook for word processing activities, you will not need the most expensive processor.

2. Decide between single core or dual core processors. A notebook can function just fine with a single core processor; however, most new notebooks and laptops are now being made with dual core processors. Dual core processors contain two independent execution cores. This means that each core has it's own cache, which allows the computer to multi-task much quicker and easier than with a single core processor. If you are someone who likes to run several programs on your computer at the same time, you will want to buy a notebook that contains a dual-core processor.

3. 

   Look at the designer name. Expert reviewers agree that Intel processors are the best ones on the market. Intel's Core 2 Duo processors currently rule the market. If you are looking for a budget option, AMD also makes processors for lower-end notebooks.

4. Check out the TDP, or Thermal Design Power. If you are going to be using your notebook around the clock, you will want a processor with a low TDP, because this will keep your notebook or laptop at a cooler temperature.

Tips & Warnings

• All types of notebooks use Intel processors, including Apple laptops.

Resources

• Explanation of how a processor works, from Wise Geek.