A dumb question...probably...

[CESIL]

I hope I am not the only one on here that finds the vast range of processors available a tad confusing

 

I am trying to spend the last of my meagre budget on some additional PCs and can't figure out whether a Core2 Duo processor is the same as a Core Duo one.

 

Are they different or are the guys updating the site I am looking at them on just getting the name wrong sometimes?

[rad]

Core 2 Duo Vs. Core Duo: Merom and Yonah square off | Crave | CNET UK

The difference between Core 2 Duo and Core Duo (Dual Core)

 

Dual core is simply a generic term referring to any processor package with two physical CPUs in one.

 

The Pentium D is simply two Pentium 4 Prescott cpus inefficiently paired together and ran as dual core.

 

The Core Duo is Intel's first generation dual core processor based upon the Pentium M (a Pentium III-4 hybrid) made mostly for laptops (though a few motherboard manufacturers have released desktop boards supporting the Core Duo CPU), and is much more efficiently than Pentium D.

 

The Core 2 Duo is Intel's second generation (hence, Core 2) processor made for desktops and laptops designed from the ground up to be fast while not consuming nearly as much power as previous CPUs.

 

The Pentium D, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo and Athlon X2 are all current CPUs that have dual cores in one package.

 

Note - Intel has dropped the Pentium name in favor of the Core architecture.

Taken from here - http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/windowsxp/articles/805/1/The-difference-between-Core-2-Duo-and-Core-Duo-%28Dual-Core%29

Edited February 9, 2011 by rad

[CESIL]

...so for general curriculum use with the biggest task probably being very occasional use for simple video editing (Movie Maker) a Core Duo would be ok?

[DAZZD88]

Between Core Duo and Core 2 Duo, there's not a huge difference but I think if you move to Core I3, I5 or I7 then there's a more noticable difference.

 

I always check processor scores on cpubenchmark.net when looking at laptops. For my next personal laptop purchase I'm looking at a minimum Core I3 processor. This should safely see me future-proofed until the laptop purchase after that.