Group test: Budget Core 2 Duo laptops

Intel’s new Core 2 Duo processor is finding its way into more and more systems, and thanks to the new design it’s as suitable for laptops as it is for desktops.

As its name suggests, the new architecture has two cores that, in theory, should boost multitasking performance while reducing power consumption by around 28 per cent. It also allows better performance at slower processor clock speeds, potentially giving notebook computers more battery life.

Like all new processor releases, the mobile Core 2 Duo comes in a number of flavours. At the bottom of the range is the T5500, with 2MB of Level 2 (L2) cache, 667MHz front-side bus (FSB) and a 1.66GHz clock speed, while at the top there’s the T7600, which boasts a whopping 4MB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB and a 2.33GHz clock speed.

For this month’s group test, we asked seven manufacturers to supply their cheapest Core 2 Duo notebook aimed at entry-level buyers. It’ll be no surprise, then, that the T7600 chip doesn’t feature at all in this test. However, a couple of manufacturers did use surprisingly high-powered components in these low-cost systems.

The systems on test range in price from £669 to £1,199, so there’s something to suit every pocket and lifestyle, whether you’re a hardened road warrior looking for a solid business system or a discerning home user who wants to move to the next level of mobile power.

This article is part of a group test of budget Core 2 Duo laptops.
See also:
Asus F3Jv
Evesham Voyager C530
Hi-grade Notino D7000-5500
HP Compaq NX7400 (RH393ET)
MSI Megabook M662
Rock Pegasus 665-T56
Sony VGN-C1Z/B
How to look after your laptop's battery

Graphs and table of features can be read via our pdf downloads above.

Editor's Choice is on the next page.

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