Which notebook processor to choose? Among the many items that must be observed in the technical specifications of a notebook , one of them is the processor. This component is primarily responsible for making the machine effectively have the power to perform a greater number of tasks in less time.
To understand which type of processor is best suited to your needs, first of all we need to understand a little more about the functions it performs – and what alternatives are available. Quad-core, dual-core or Celeron, what do these terms mean? Let’s learn!
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What is a processor ? which notebook processor to choose?
Making an analogy with the human body, the processor can be considered the brain of the computer. This is the component responsible for interacting with all those installed, putting into practice operations that make it possible to display an interface in response to user commands.
The processors are built with billions of transistors and placed directly on the notebook’s motherboard. In the past, they had only one processing core, but over time models with more cores were created. Thus, nomenclatures such as “dual core” (two cores) and “quad core” (four cores) were born.
Also Read : What is the difference between the processor and GPU ?
Dual core vs quad core : understand the differences
In theory, the greater the number of cores, the better the processing capacity of a machine. We say “in theory” because this is not the only element to be considered in this equation. The generation of the processor, the amount of RAM, the storage capacity or the type of device used to save data (HD or SSD) also have an influence on the result.
In practice, a larger number of cores means that more tasks can be performed at the same time, without this representing a drop in performance. In a processor with two cores, each core can perform an action simultaneously, which makes the machine faster. An example: listening to music and surfing the internet at the same time without any crash or delay in response time.
The same logic applies to quad-core processors. Here, we are talking about the possibility of four tasks being executed simultaneously, without this resulting in a performance compromise. In other words, those looking for machines to perform multiple actions simultaneously will see more advantages if they choose notebook models with these characteristics.
Celeron: ideal for everyday use
And where does the term Celeron come into this story? This nomenclature refers to a line of processors manufactured by Intel whose main characteristic was the fact that they have only one core. You may be asking yourself, “If Celeron processors have only one core, then are they inferior to dual-core and quad-core?” Not necessarily.
The Celeron line of processors were created for everyday use, especially on machines that are used to run simpler applications, such as office programs or the browser for internet access. If on the one hand the performance is slightly lower than that of models with two or four cores in the processor, on the other hand the power consumption is also lower, which results in batteries with greater durability.
Subsequently, Intel launched new models of the Celeron line with two cores, therefore similar to the dual-core, but preserving their essential characteristics, especially the one with the lowest power consumption. Therefore, choosing today between a Celeron or a dual-core, in practice does not bring many differences.
What is the ideal processor for my notebook?
The answer to that question depends on your usage needs. A notebook with a quad-core processor is likely to perform better than a dual-core model. However, it will also cost a little more and this is exactly where you should analyze: “do I really need a computer with more performance?” In many cases, the answer is “no“.
If your user profile is the type that runs only standard office applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point and accesses the internet, a computer with a dual-core processor or Celeron may prove to be a more interesting investment. Machines with these characteristics cost less and tend to be lighter. It is the perfect notebook for those who do schoolwork or just work reports.
On the other hand, those looking for machines that can run applications that require greater processing capacity, such as image and video editors or certain types of games, should give preference to models with four-core processors. They cost a little more, but the investment is easily justified by the return in terms of performance.
Also Read : The most powerful mobile processors for smartphones
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