Picking out the best CPU (central processing unit) can sometimes be a very difficult task, especially if you do not know what to choose. There are many, many choices are there, but there are only two major companies as of right now that develops processors. There is AMD and Intel, but which one should you choose?
AMD vs. Intel
Intel and AMD have been developing processors for years now. For many years, Intel has always been preferred over AMD, for specific reasons you'll see down below.
Top AMD Processor:
AMD FX8150 8-Core
This bad boy is the best of what AMD has to offer. The FX8150 is the first native 8-core desktop processor, and it works incredibly well when it comes to multitasking. One simply cannot deny the speed of the AMD FX8150, but unfortunately, it falls behind an Intel Core i5, which basically means it won't even be a match for the Core i7. The price is what makes this powerful processor stand out.
Clock Speed: 3.6 GHz
Cores: 8
Price: $189.99 (Amazon)
Top Intel Processor:
Intel® Core™ i7-3940XM Extreme Edition
This monster of a processor here is the fastest Intel Ivy Bridge processor as of right now. Those who require incredibly raw power for their new systems, should definitely get this processor.
Clock Speed: 3.0 GHz, up to 3.9 GHz
Cores: 4
Price: $1096.00
Post by © 2012 Andy Chin
© 2012 Intel Corporation
© 2012 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Pros: A good battery inside a 20-inch all-in-one touch screen to make the Sony Vaio Tap 20. The company has given birth to both a new PC and tablet with great potential in tech savvy homes.
Cons: The touch screen can have some frustrating drag, and Sony made a few mistakes among some otherwise reasonable sacrifices for portability and price.
Bottom Line: A compelling experiment in tablet-desktop hybridization, the Sony Vaio Tap 20 is a great fit for home tech enthusiasts willing to try something new and different.
For a 20-inch all-in-one touch-screen desktop with no optical drive and a low-voltage Core i5 chip, $999 seems like a lot to ask for. This new Sony device just might be the most unique Windows 8 launch PC.
The Tap 20 measures 19.75 inches wide, 12.3 inches high, and at its thickest point of its back panel, 1.5 inches. It weighs just under 11.25 pounds.
The display itself is covered in glass, but the body is all soft, rounded plastic, with grippy indents. You probably wouldn't carry this big thing around in a backpack or a briefcase, but the average adult can easily carry this around with little difficulty. And while 11.25 pounds is almost 8 times the weight of an iPad, its not so heavy that it is uncomfortable to sit on your lap for an extended period.
When you set it down on a table or on your lap, the touch screen is probably the easiest way to interact with the Tap 20. The touch screen feels as responsive as that of a smartphone. You also might notice a slight drag on your fingers in apps that require continuous contact, such as air hockey or doodling. The drag isn't bad enough to spoil the entire experience, but it can be frustrating.
Low voltage translates to slower performance, and that is reflected in the Core i5's 1.7 GHz core clock speed. Standard voltage third generation Core i5 mobile CPUs start at 2.5 GHz. The lower voltage, which also improves the speed of the embedded Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor, improves the Tap 20's battery life, and also limits heat output. Despite its low-voltage, the Tap 20 gives outstanding performance running standard Windows applications.
Review by © 2012 Andy Chin
© 2012 Sony Corporation
