Core 2 Duo worth it?

[jandree22]

Stepping out of our 6 year old laptop into a new one. No gaming, most intense use it will get is Hulu and Photoshop. Is the Core 2 Duo worth the extra $160? thanks (Current processor is a Pentium 4 @ 2.53ghz.)


Processors

Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/1MB cache) [Included in Price]

+ Performance Processors

Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.40GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache) [add $160 or $5/month1]

 

[Guest20182]

For what your doing, probably good with the stock processor I'd say.(boom07)

 

[jersey_emt]

I'd go with the upgraded processor if it is in your budget. The faster bus speed and triple the amount of cache memory along with the bump in processor speed will make a noticeable difference in intensive Photoshop operations.

 

[warrier04]

I'd go with the upgraded processor if it is in your budget. The faster bus speed and triple the amount of cache memory along with the bump in processor speed will make a noticeable difference in intensive Photoshop operations.

+1

given the large architectural differences between the two, you should see noticeable gains with the upgraded processor. also, given the form factor (notebook instead of something like a desktop), the option to upgrade a while down the road doesn't exist.

and in the grand scheme of things, if you keep this notebook as long as the one that you're stepping up from (~6 years), the $160 will be money well spent.

on a side note .. given how long you seem to keep notebooks, you may want to go with a discrete graphics option. not that you need it for gaming, but it may come in handy from time to time.