Processors for Intermediate Desktops and Laptops
Heads Up!: Processors for desktops are different than those for laptops.
For an Intermediate Desktop Computer, we recommend buying a desktop with at least an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, which is not to be confused with the dual core processor. Clear as mud, right? (We’re not sure how the marketing departments in the processor companies come up with these names, but let’s not forget that they’re the same people who brought us commercials with people dancing around in silver spacesuits!) Anyway, the Dual Core was born first. The Core 2 Duo was born second, and is faster. Here’s the bottom line: If you’re looking at an intermediate desktop computer, in the $700 – $1000 range, look for one with an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, with at least a 3MB Cache and at least 2.5GHz speed.
For an Intermediate Laptop Computer, we recommend buying a laptop with at least an Intel Pentium Dual Core T4400 Processor. If you’ve gone shopping on the Dell and HP Websites, these are the processors you’ll most likely find. However, since Toshiba tends to push the envelope with a more powerful machine, we’d recommend sticking with one of their laptops that comes with an Intel Core i3-330M Processor or an Intel Core i5-430M processor.
Memory for Intermediate Desktops and Laptops
For an Intermediate Desktop Computer, we recommend purchasing a desktop with at least 4 to 6 GB of SDRAM memory. Here, too, you can usually upgrade the memory with little or no extra cost.
For Intermediate Laptops, we recommend purchasing a machine with at least 3 to 6 GB DDR3 memory. You may see DDR2 versions of memory, but go with DDR3, since it’s the most current version!
Hard Drives for Intermediate Desktops and Laptops
For an Intermediate Desktop, we recommend buying desktops with at least a 500GB through a 1TB (Terabyte) hard drive.
For an Intermediate Laptop, we recommend buying a laptop with at least a 320GB through a 500 GB hard drive.