Intel Atom processor performance under the spotlight

[HEXUS]

We examine whether Intel's much-hyped Atom processor delivers on the performance front

Read more.

[Sathyaish]

Hi,

I am on a budget and I am planning to buy an inexpensive laptop primarily for editing videos and audio and making animated videos.

The software I will be using will be:

1) Maya
2) Illustrator
3) Adobe Creative Suite
4) Sony Vegas Movie Studio (for editing video)

I looked at a small laptop/notebook with an Intel Atom Dual Core processor. I don't remember the exact model number. The assembly was from Acer or Wipro, I think, with Windows 7 Home Basic as the OEM operating system. It fit within my budget but before I made the purchase, I thought I must check with people who know stuff.

Would such a laptop be able to help me do my work, i.e. help me edit videos and audio using the software listed above?

What do you recommend (keeping in mind that I am on a budget) as the best choice for me given my financial constraints?

[wasabi]

An Atom will feel very very VERY underpowered for the above stuff. If you absolutely must get an Atom - try to get one with Nvidia Ion2 graphics. It will improve the graphics side of things a bit in Photoshop etc but don't expect miracles.

I'd seriously consider getting a second hand machine with a Core duo mobile processor and at very least Intel X3100 graphics (avoid earlier 950 chipset if you can)

For example I just did a search on 'laptop core duo' on ebay and got a bunch of machines for well under £200, many off PC vendros offering some sort of warranty.

.

[Biscuit]

have you SEEN how old this review is?

[watercooled]

Video editing/encoding is one of the most CPU intensive thing most users will do. Atom is a very low power platform and isn't really suitable for that sort of work. AMD's Brazos CPU would be more suitable for media work with the faster CPU part and massively faster integrated GPU, but you're still not going to get anything like video editing/encoding done quickly; if you have a reasonably modern PC it would probably be faster for CPU work.

In terms of price/performance a PC will give you a lot more than a laptop and even expensive high-end laptop CPUs won't perform as well as lower-priced mid range desktop parts. So, unless you really want a laptop, I'd suggest a PC, you could post a 'spec me a build' type thread in the hardware forum if you want some advice, whether you want to give building a go or want to buy off-the-shelf.