Since software operating systems and applications are written to work most efficiently-or sometimes only-on a certain architecture, this is probably the most important decision point for your next processor.īroadly speaking, today's laptop processors use either the ARM or x86 architecture. This blueprint determines how the processor understands computer code. Processor Architecture: The Silicon UnderpinningsĮvery processor is based on an underlying design called an instruction-set architecture. It's the most important piece of hardware inside.īefore we get into specific CPU recommendations, let's build an understanding of what differentiates one chip from another by focusing on the central traits that all laptop processors have in common. It has a hand in everything: mouse clicks, the smoothness of streaming video, responding to your commands in games, encoding your family's home video, and more. The CPU is responsible for the primary logic operations in the computer. (Also, see our guide to the best CPUs for desktops.) With almost no exceptions, a laptop processor can't be changed or upgraded later as some desktops' can, so it's essential to make the right choice from the start. This guide will help you decrypt the technical jargon that haunts every laptop specification sheet-from core count to gigahertz and from TDP to cache amounts-to help you pick the one that suits you best. But choosing one is easier than you think, once you know a few CPU ground rules. The options may seem endless and their names byzantine. The CPUs you'll find in current laptops are made by AMD, Intel, Apple, and Qualcomm. Just as it is with desktops, at the heart of every laptop computer is a central processing unit (CPU), commonly called a processor or a chip, that's responsible for nearly everything that goes on inside. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.

How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.

How to enable turbo boost surface pro