Pentium M is the only way to go.

If you get the equivalent processor, they basically break down to:

P4 - Runs hotter, lower uptime, cheaper
P-M - Runs cooler, lonnger uptime

Do you do a lot of travelling or plan on using battery often?? If so, then the Pentium M would be best as you can get more uptime out of each charge.

If you plan on plugging it into the ac adapter for most of the time, then the P4 might be good.

Lastly, the Pentium M does run a lot cooler. So on day to day tasks, the fans will rarely turn on (light usage). On the P4, you notice that the fans turn on periodically and can get quite annoying.

All in all, I think the P-M would be the best choice.

I second that.  I recently bought an 8600 system with a 1.7 Centrino and it's been superb. 

Regards, Dave T

I third that!

for mobile i would definitely recommend a Pentium M processor - and if you do get a Penitum M make sure is numbered (i.e. 715, 725, 735, 745, 755 and NOT the 705) that is to make sure you get a newer generation Dothan based.

for a desktop replacement, i would definitely recommend a AMD64 DTR processor between 3000+ to 3400+.

If it's an option, the P4 Mobile ( not Pentium M) is a really good option.  My 5150 has a P4M and it runs 4 hours off of a single battery charge.

Message Edited by isnoop on 08-10-2004 05:05 PM

For me i would recommend you to buy Pentium 4, i dont trust Mobile Technology . I was interested in Pentium M for a while until i bought this Inspiron 600m notebook, 1.5 Ghz 512MB 2MB L2 cache, 64MB ATI 9000. I've had lots of problem with this laptop. I had to reinstall Windows on the first day i received it. Then the biggest problem that i hate the most is the performance of the CPU....

The Pentium M CPU onli runs at half of its speed or a little bit faster if you leave it on Always On power scheme. I tried to run Need For Speed Undersground and the whole system froze when i quit the game. It said my CPU only run at 200Mhz and the game requires at least 700Mhz...

Through this experience, i would never buy any Dell laptop or PC though they're cheaper than other brands...and i would recommend to not to buy Pentium M. If you can afford more, then go to buy another laptop brand like Sony, Toshiba or Fujitsu...

that's the way of the chip. i don't like the new dothan pentium m chip. the original Pentium M chip that's on my system is FAST! faster than my desktop's P4 2.68GHz processor. its as fast as a ~2.7GHz in benchmarks. the chip runs on a lower speed when not doing anything on it. but my friend is having a problem with the dothan chip too, when its always on, it runs slower than 600Mhz. i guess i got the last Pentium M chip.