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| Thread ID: 105176 | 2009-11-22 01:19:00 | Comparing Atom & ULV processors | Geek4414 (12000) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 832345 | 2009-11-22 01:19:00 | Dear Experts, what are your opinions of the Atom Z550 (2GHz) processor vs ULV 1 . 33 Core2Duo? I'm trying to compare the practical speed difference between the Sony VAIO TZ37 (with 1 . 33GHz C2D ULV) and the Sony VAIO X-series with Z550 2GHz CPU . The X-series has a few compromises such as the lack of a DVD drive . Would the increased apparent clock speed and the SSD drive bring a more usable experience? $2999 . 95 (VPC-X117LG/B, Atom Z550/2 . 0GHz, 128GB SSD) The main attraction of the X-series is its light weight and thinness, FAR FAR lighter than a Macbook Air . My current TZ37 is pretty good as it has everything I need including a DVDRW drive, even though I hardly use the drive but it's there when I need it . But it is a little on the slow side at times, especially with its PATA hard drive . I wonder with SSD and slightly faster clock speed, would the X-series be a good move or a retro-grade? I am not interested in a netbook as the Atom N series is far far too slow . The ASUS UL30A seems like an interesting option as well, but it's got a slower CPU (1 . 3GHz) than the TZ37 and lack a DVDRW . How do the CULVs compare to the ULVs? |
Geek4414 (12000) | ||
| 832346 | 2009-11-23 10:29:00 | Did you try the X? You say you don't want a netbook, but the X is a netbook after all even if it is beautiful and thin and lightweight. I think your other machine would be faster than the Atom even with a SSD drive. Personally I couldn't stomach $3k for the machine, its beautil but not worth that much My 2c |
nmercer (3899) | ||
| 832347 | 2009-11-23 18:08:00 | To be honest in my experience, raw speed on an ultra-mobile device is rarely the issue. I sit with the CPU meter visible as I work, and it sits constantly at 3-5%. On a 1.6Ghz Atom it sits around 7%. Unless you're gaming, there's very little you'll likely gain from a CPU upgrade, but on the other hand a nice sexy SSD may provide a slight boost in performance. I guess the question is "What do you use it for mostly"? |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 832348 | 2009-11-23 21:03:00 | The laptop is used for everything really, including Photoshop . But I do have a much faster desktop for that when I'm at home . It's really for when I am on the road . I've found the TZ37 very good once it's booted up and running, but booting it (with Vista Biz) can be painful at times . It also goes into a trance from time to time when I open certain apps or windows . I guess it could be Vista's fault and not the raw speed of the laptop . Personally, I found Vista a total pig whenever I need something across the network . It appears to need to digest everything in a remote folder before you can even look at the folder listing! If I accessed a remote folder say from Outlook or Windows Mail before, the next time I open a dialog (such as insert picture or attachment), it will just go into a trance for 30 seconds or more while Vista tries to access that folder . Vista also mysteriously reboot my laptop from time to time overnight even if it was in sleep mode . Waking up from sleep is not always pretty either, sometimes I would end up having to reboot it completely after waking it from sleep . That is not usually a problem at home, but using it on the road is a pain and waiting for a failed resume and then a reboot is REALLY painful when I need it quickly . The battery life of the TZ37 has been fantastic, I haven't really timed it but I've never ever ran out of juice when I used it on battery for hours on end, even when I am using wifi on the road . I don't even bother bringing my power adapter with me any more if I am only away for a weekend . The X-series has lesser battery life (as it has a tiny skinny battery) and the lack of a DVDRW could be a pain . The reasons I am not interested in a traditional netbook are 1 . Smaller screen size & lower resolution (TZ37 & X-Series - 1366x768) 2 . Under powered N-series Atom processors, but I wonder what the 2GHz Z-series Atom is like . 3 . Lack of DVDRW when needed 4 . Lack of WiFi-n and Gigabit LAN The Asus UL30A has the new 1 . 3GHz CULV, not sure how that compares . With the lack of a DVDRW, it's probably in the realm of a netbook as well . However it does have WiFi-n and Gigabit LAN . Given the cost of the X-series with 128GB SSD is sky high, I can't justify the retro-grade step . The wish list would be . . . - The size & weight of the the X-series (780g) - Some sort of Core2 CPU instead of Atom - Closer to 10 to 12 hours battery life - HDMI output - eSATA - Mobile broadband (I think its included in some overseas version) - Can live with a very skinny external DVDRW or BluRay drive - Dual SD & MS card readers as in the TZ37 - Expand beyond 2GB (both TZ37 & X-series max out @ 2GB!!) - Multi-touch touchpad (included in the Xs already) - SSD drive (available in the high end models of both TZs and Xs) - Ultimately under $2000 - InstantOn OS like Hyperspace or SplashTop or Chrome?? The weight of a MacBook Air feels like an anchor compare to either the TZs & Xs . Now, Mac Fanboys, don't flame me . I do like and use Macs as well, I am just stating the face . If Apple comes up with the same form factor (at a reasonable price) I would seriously consider getting one, as I would be able to dual boot OSX and Windows . There are a few issues with Apple products that stop me buying them . . . 1 . There are no varieties, if you have one, it's the same as EVERYONE else . 2 . Their draconian attitude, thou shalt do what I like you to do . i . e . iPhone has bluetooth but they blocked file transfer so you have to buy things from AppStores 3 . Everything centers around iTunes, I hate iTunes I've read a few articles about the lack of variety and their 'controlling' attitude, can't quite put my finger on the article, but here are a couple of samples . . . . betanews . com/article/Report-iPod-a-Failure-in-South-Korea/1123790431" target="_blank">www . betanews . com . geek . com/articles/apple/ipod-not-so-popular-in-south-korea-20050815/" target="_blank">www . geek . com Anyway, that's enough, don't want to turn this into a flame thread . |
Geek4414 (12000) | ||
| 832349 | 2009-11-24 01:27:00 | Oops, bad typo ... Now, Mac Fanboys, don't flame me. I do like and use Macs as well, I am just stating the face. I mean I was just stating the "fact" |
Geek4414 (12000) | ||
| 832350 | 2009-11-24 04:53:00 | To be honest in my experience, raw speed on an ultra-mobile device is rarely the issue. I sit with the CPU meter visible as I work, and it sits constantly at 3-5%. On a 1.6Ghz Atom it sits around 7%. Unless you're gaming, there's very little you'll likely gain from a CPU upgrade, but on the other hand a nice sexy SSD may provide a slight boost in performance. I guess the question is "What do you use it for mostly"? see to me CPU does matter on a netbook maybe you don't have open a few web pages open with flash ad banners, or try to watch some videos on Youtube on a netbook Personally I find that is where Atom struggles, nVidia ION chipset helps here a bit, but I'm not sure the X even has ION video? |
nmercer (3899) | ||
| 832351 | 2009-11-24 04:56:00 | The laptop is used for everything really, including Photoshop . But I do have a much faster desktop for that when I'm at home . It's really for when I am on the road . I've found the TZ37 very good once it's booted up and running, but booting it (with Vista Biz) can be painful at times . It also goes into a trance from time to time when I open certain apps or windows . I guess it could be Vista's fault and not the raw speed of the laptop . Personally, I found Vista a total pig whenever I need something across the network . It appears to need to digest everything in a remote folder before you can even look at the folder listing! If I accessed a remote folder say from Outlook or Windows Mail before, the next time I open a dialog (such as insert picture or attachment), it will just go into a trance for 30 seconds or more while Vista tries to access that folder . Vista also mysteriously reboot my laptop from time to time overnight even if it was in sleep mode . Waking up from sleep is not always pretty either, sometimes I would end up having to reboot it completely after waking it from sleep . That is not usually a problem at home, but using it on the road is a pain and waiting for a failed resume and then a reboot is REALLY painful when I need it quickly . The battery life of the TZ37 has been fantastic, I haven't really timed it but I've never ever ran out of juice when I used it on battery for hours on end, even when I am using wifi on the road . I don't even bother bringing my power adapter with me any more if I am only away for a weekend . The X-series has lesser battery life (as it has a tiny skinny battery) and the lack of a DVDRW could be a pain . The reasons I am not interested in a traditional netbook are 1 . Smaller screen size & lower resolution (TZ37 & X-Series - 1366x768) 2 . Under powered N-series Atom processors, but I wonder what the 2GHz Z-series Atom is like . 3 . Lack of DVDRW when needed 4 . Lack of WiFi-n and Gigabit LAN The Asus UL30A has the new 1 . 3GHz CULV, not sure how that compares . With the lack of a DVDRW, it's probably in the realm of a netbook as well . However it does have WiFi-n and Gigabit LAN . Given the cost of the X-series with 128GB SSD is sky high, I can't justify the retro-grade step . The wish list would be . . . - The size & weight of the the X-series (780g) - Some sort of Core2 CPU instead of Atom - Closer to 10 to 12 hours battery life - HDMI output - eSATA - Mobile broadband (I think its included in some overseas version) - Can live with a very skinny external DVDRW or BluRay drive - Dual SD & MS card readers as in the TZ37 - Expand beyond 2GB (both TZ37 & X-series max out @ 2GB!!) - Multi-touch touchpad (included in the Xs already) - SSD drive (available in the high end models of both TZs and Xs) - Ultimately under $2000 - InstantOn OS like Hyperspace or SplashTop or Chrome?? The weight of a MacBook Air feels like an anchor compare to either the TZs & Xs . Now, Mac Fanboys, don't flame me . I do like and use Macs as well, I am just stating the face . If Apple comes up with the same form factor (at a reasonable price) I would seriously consider getting one, as I would be able to dual boot OSX and Windows . There are a few issues with Apple products that stop me buying them . . . 1 . There are no varieties, if you have one, it's the same as EVERYONE else . 2 . Their draconian attitude, thou shalt do what I like you to do . i . e . iPhone has bluetooth but they blocked file transfer so you have to buy things from AppStores 3 . Everything centers around iTunes, I hate iTunes I've read a few articles about the lack of variety and their 'controlling' attitude, can't quite put my finger on the article, but here are a couple of samples . . . . betanews . com/article/Report-iPod-a-Failure-in-South-Korea/1123790431" target="_blank">www . betanews . com . geek . com/articles/apple/ipod-not-so-popular-in-south-korea-20050815/" target="_blank">www . geek . com Anyway, that's enough, don't want to turn this into a flame thread . The Atom Z is bugger all difference to the N in my opinion and experience If you think a N is underpowered I bet you will come to same conclusion for the Z as well even if it is 2GHz If CPU matters go with the proper Intel chip, ULV or C2D but not Atom just IMHO |
nmercer (3899) | ||
| 832352 | 2009-11-24 06:46:00 | The Atom Z is bugger all difference to the N in my opinion and experience If you think a N is underpowered I bet you will come to same conclusion for the Z as well even if it is 2GHz If CPU matters go with the proper Intel chip, ULV or C2D but not Atom just IMHO Thank nmercer for your reply . I just stumbled upon this . . . . com/index/culv-or-intel-atom-processor-a-comparison/" target="_blank">gadgetmix . com "I find the current netbook lineup monotonous as most of them netbooks currently have similar specs: N270/N280 processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB hard disk and so on . In worst cases, some manufactures had the atrocity to equip some of their netbooks with the Z-series Atom CPU, which is even slower than the former! At first blush, you will simply adore the god-like battery life that one can get by using these Z-series CPUs, but soon you come to realize that these CPUs are unbelievably slow . " So it sounds like the Z series Atom is no go, it's a definite retro-grade for me . :-( Never mind, the Xs are just so sexily thin! Some info about CULVs . . . Intel CEO: big future for 'CULV' laptops . cnet . com/8301-13924_3-10219437-64 . html" target="_blank">news . cnet . com CULV or Intel Atom processor: A Comparison . com/index/culv-or-intel-atom-processor-a-comparison/" target="_blank">gadgetmix . com Intel Atom N330 dual core vs Core2Duo SU9400/SU7300 . notebookreview . com/showthread . php?t=424936" target="_blank">forum . notebookreview . com |
Geek4414 (12000) | ||
| 832353 | 2009-11-25 04:07:00 | This may be useful . . . . cpubenchmark . net/cpu_list . php" target="_blank">www . cpubenchmark . net I copied the data from the list and paired the Atom against the ULVs . . . . com/image/bafidaaca . jpg" target="_blank">bayimg . com The 1 . 33GHz U7700 came out almost double the speed of the 2GHz Atom Z550, 690 vs 381! The 1 . 6GHz Atom 330 is almost the same as the U770 620 vs 690 |
Geek4414 (12000) | ||
| 832354 | 2009-11-25 04:29:00 | Just stumbled across a bunch of articles about ULV, Atom & CULV ... news.cnet.com |
Geek4414 (12000) | ||
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