Need some help with laptop processors.

[YellowDragon]

Recently I have been looking at a new laptop for mobile development in android and windows phone. I have decided taht I don't really need a dedicated GPU and that integrated graphics will be sufficent. I think something in the i5 - i7 range should be sufficent but what im stuck on is the diffrent monikers with the mobile chips.

 

For instance I was looking at the Thinkpad T440 line, there are two varients the T440 with an i5 - 4600u and the other with an i5 - 4600M . Im a little hung up on this and cant seem to get a stright answer, what is the performance diffrence of these two chips if there is one? The only solid diffrence I cant find is the M varient has a higher TDP. Is the only diffrence a more selective binning or is there something im missing?

[79wjd]

I assume you mean 4200u/m? 

 

The u is a low tdp version -- lower clockspeed and slower gpu.

 

But if you can wait, Broadwell will be out soon and will offer better efficiency and better integrated graphics. 

[Syfes]

Wait a couple more weeks, broadwell is just around the corner

[YellowDragon]

Wait a couple more weeks, broadwell is just around the corner

 

hmm, the question is would the broadwell upgrade really be noticible? Lenovo did announce their T450 at CES. I can get the T440 for $600 or get the newer varient for $850

 

the question is it really worth a $200 premium

[79wjd]

hmm, the question is would the broadwell upgrade really be noticible? Lenovo did announce their T450 at CES. I can get the T440 for $600 or get the newer varient for $850

 

the question is it really worth a $200 premium

Broadwell will have noticeable better battery life and integrated graphics....so it depends what you're going to be doing. 

[YellowDragon]

Broadwell will have noticeable better battery life and integrated graphics....so it depends what you're going to be doing. 

 

Well im primarily going to be developing applications using Android studio and Visual Studio, they are pretty much glorified text editor, the intesive part is emulating the phone in software to test the apps that I am developing.

 

Though im all for better tech but when the newer stuff is a significant price hike it makes me question if it is a good idea, The integrated graphics would help when I take breaks and play some mechwarrior but I have my desktop for actual gaming. Strictly speaking this laptop would be for school/work and programming.

 

What would be your opinon with the price diffrence $600 vs $850 with my use case in mind.

[79wjd]

Well im primarily going to be developing applications using Android studio and Visual Studio, they are pretty much glorified text editor, the intesive part is emulating the phone in software to test the apps that I am developing.

 

Though im all for better tech but when the newer stuff is a significant price hike it makes me question if it is a good idea, The integrated graphics would help when I take breaks and play some mechwarrior but I have my desktop for actual gaming. Strictly speaking this laptop would be for school/work and programming.

 

What would be your opinon with the price diffrence $600 vs $850 with my use case in mind.

I'd say Haswell then since the actual compute difference is virtually non-existent. 

[runit3]

Well im primarily going to be developing applications using Android studio and Visual Studio, they are pretty much glorified text editor, the intesive part is emulating the phone in software to test the apps that I am developing.

Though im all for better tech but when the newer stuff is a significant price hike it makes me question if it is a good idea, The integrated graphics would help when I take breaks and play some mechwarrior but I have my desktop for actual gaming. Strictly speaking this laptop would be for school/work and programming.

What would be your opinon with the price diffrence $600 vs $850 with my use case in mind.

Would snip but on my phone, sorry.

My advise would be to go with the laptop that has more available RAM. I can't speak to Windows app SDK but my Android studio eats all the RAM I throw at it (6GB dedicated). Broadwell is worth the wait not just for better battery life but for the accompanying price drop in Haswell laptops when companies are clearing backstock, just in case you decide the Broadwell advancements aren't worth it for your uses.

[YellowDragon]

Would snip but on my phone, sorry.

My advise would be to go with the laptop that has more available RAM. I can't speak to Windows app SDK but my Android studio eats all the RAM I throw at it (6GB dedicated). Broadwell is worth the wait not just for better battery life but for the accompanying price drop in Haswell laptops when companies are clearing backstock, just in case you decide the Broadwell advancements aren't worth it for your uses.

I think ill go with the haswell based one, the T440 im looking at has hot swapable batteries and has extended packs for up to 14hrs usage, the extra $250 is not worth it just for the battery life when I can get a stack of batteries for the same price if I want more battery life, from what im seeing a approx 5% IPC improvement wont be noticable at all