New Computer: Laptop Haswell Chip Choices

[jerryyyyy]

Hello,

I have been running PI on my very dated Dell M2400 Precision Worstation laptop.  It is an old dual core, 2.5 Ghz, 32-bit machine.. it does run PI but slowly... and there are memory issues that I have worked around.  I was waiting for the new Haswell chips to come out before buying a new machine.  Ideally I could just buy a big cheap desktop, but like to move all my materials from home and office on a daily basis and work in a mobile secured environment so the laptop needs to be excrypted, VPNable etc. etc....

So, I am attracted by the sexy new SONY convertable ultrabooks, DELL makes similar ones, but they run the 4900U processor, up to 3 Ghz, but which has only 2 cores and 4 threads... but they are oh so light and have long battery life and will run Windows 8 on a tablet format.

To get the 4900MQ with 4 cores and 8 threads you need a standard (5-6lb) laptop from either Dell or HP.  It runs up to 3.6 Ghz.

Both lines of computer are 64-bit, so that is a big step up from my current rig, but I guess the question is are people running PI on 64-bit dual processors OK, or do you really want a quad???

Excuse me in advance as I will also post this over at CloudyNights...

[Nocturnal]

It's simple Jerryyyyyy. More is better but you decide what is good enough. Having 64b capabilty and 6GB of RAM or more will be a giant step up. Let's just say PI will consume every CPU cycle you can throw at it but most of the time you're sitting there staring at the screen, thinking about what to do next. PI is idle at that time. It's when you press 'apply' that it starts humming. More power means less waiting.

As with many things in life 'it depends' and 'there are tradeoffs'. I would say that on a small ultrabook the small screen is your biggest limiter so consider getting an external monitor or even two. Check that your laptop can drive those.

[jerryyyyy]

My graphics card is about dead on my current laptop so a decision is imminant.  Have engenered some discussion of this at CloudyNights about the desireability of the Quad, but I think I am going to go with the SONY VAIO DUO 13. 

I can live without the Quad Core processor (PI is the most intensive processing I do and the weight 2.9lbs versus most Quad Core laptops 6lbs is just a killer when I travel).  Apparently it can drive my big Dell display... battery life is 8+ hours.  Downside is poor docking capabilities.... will have to hook in three plus at home versus work. 

Anyway, it looks way cool.  I hope PI has no problems with Windows 8....

[papaf]

You can always install a small partition with a real OS...