Expert: Bobbert - 6/6/2008

Question
I have been looking to getting a new laptop.  I have an old Dell Inspiron 8100 Pentium 3 and Toshiba 17" Pentium 4.  Both are very cool running and have done very well for me.  I am shocked at how hot these new computers get.  I've looked at HP and am told intel core2duo runs much cooler and better.  Yet I have looked in the store and most of the HPs running with the AMD have a considerately cooler touch pads, which is important when sitting and using the touch pad.  All the sales people tell me how much better and cooler the Intel is over the AMD.  I am very I do have a cool pad for my lap, but it won't take care of the heat on the touchpad.  Toshiba's are the very hottest with Lenova feeling like it was just turned on.  What are the manufactors thinking about this heat issue and what is your opinion on AMD vs Intel duo2core?

Is Vista as bad as so many people put on?  I had a chance to use a new Dell Inspiron for a week and liked lots of the new bells and whistles and change, but couldn't deal with the hot touchpad.   Thanks for your time.

Answer
Not really sure what the touchpad issue is, but as far as Vista, it isn't a terrible operating system, it all depends on which applications you need to use.

Core 2 Duo and Turion X2 are both fairly low TDP processors, and I believe either would be suitable, just go for what fits your budget.

-bob