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AMD Turion 64 processor
Question : I am considering purchasing an HP Pavilion laptop using an AMD Turion 64 processor
rather than an Intel processor. I've never heard of AMD -- is this a decent chip?
Answer : The AMD Turion 64 processor from Advanced Micro Devices is a competitor to the
Intel Pentium M processor. Both are intended for use in light, thin mobile computers and are designed
to use power efficiently to help maximize battery life.
Intel processors have long been used in computers running Windows and Linux systems (and are starting
to show up in Macintosh models), but some computer makers use AMD chips in many of their products.
AMD chips are used in desktop computers as well, including high-powered gaming systems. Hewlett-Packard
introduced its first Turion-based laptop last year and included the processor in a special-edition "Live Strong"
laptop that benefited the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
The AMD Turion 64 is a 64-bit processor, which can handle bigger and more complex processing chores
than the 32-bit processors used by many computers designed for consumers. Intel recently introduced a new line
of dual-core processors called Core Duo for mobile computers, and AMD is expected to make its own dual-core
chips for laptops available later this year. (Dual-core chips have two processors working together for more power.)
There is information about AMD's processors at www.amd.com/processors and details on Intel's mobile processor
offerings at www.intel.com/products/centrino.
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