Intel Celeron Processer

[big_russ]

One for all the computer experts out there.

Our 11 year old son starts at high school next year and we have promised him a laptop for xmas. He is only going to be using it for school work, music, watching video's and internet/email and I was wanting to know what are your thoughts on the Intel Celeron processor.
There seem to be many bargains out there with this processor set up but having been warned away from one a number of years ago, are they any better now. Looking to spend upto £400 and there are one or two options with Pentium dual core and AMD dual core.
Is it worth getting a better spec machine with a lesser processor or is processor still king.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[brendy]

Hp are doing 100 quid cash back on their 620 series laptops, 399 - 100 = bargain.

 

[RGDave]

Dell are doing i3 with 3GB ram laptop for £429.00. I call that a good deal.

Can't say I've heard bad things about the reliabilty of celeron, but they have always been the low-end alternative.
The E3300 dual @2.5 seems to be a popular. I'm sure it would beat my aging Core 2 Duo Processor T7400 hands down, and I have no complaints.

Given I can run a DAW (music production) on a rickety Althlon I'm not so sure the processor is king.

other than that, no idea.

 

[RobCowan]

I wouldn't say that processor is king, but steer clear of the Celeron processors. Performance-wise, they are very poor compared to any other CPU. What I would recommend for the budget that you have is a nice trade off between CPU & RAM.

Looking at RGDave's suggestion, the i3 is a cracking processor especially being Intel's low-end offering of the I series, and 3Gb of RAM is a good starting point, remembering that you can always upgrade the RAM at a later date.

Also, remember to steer clear of the PC World/Currys/Dixons brands such as Packard Hell & Advent.

 

[surefire]

In my opinion, I would always get a decent motherboard and processor combination first, as these are the heart of the machine, although the machine will always be limited by its weakest link.

Its much easier to upgrade RAM, disk space, than it is to replace the processor and\or motherboard.

Does it have to be a laptop?
Generally you can get a better machine for your money, and it's easier to upgrade with a desktop, as you can easily add in graphics cards etc...

 

[CrapHacker]

DO NOT USE A CELERON WOTSIT !!!!!

I'm no expert but I have a really good HP with a Dual core thingmy, and it works perfectly for me - I've had it since October 2008 and it cost me £400.

My mrs has an HP with a Celeron which saved her £50 odd.

AND IT IS PANTSHITEBOLLOX !!









I couldn't tell you why. But for the sake of a few quid, two years of hearing her scream at the damn thing ( i haven't touched it in over a year ) it just ain't worth the pain.

 

[big_russ]

Thanks for the bits of advice chaps. Ended up getting him HP G62 with AMD Athlon dual core P340, 3 Gig Ram 320 Gig HDD. Smart looking machine with not much less spec than what I am using.