New Options in the Computer Market

By Gerry Morris

Deciding which computer to buy has never been easy. Since IBM first licensed its PC architecture and clones were born, there’s been a dizzying variety of processors, hard drives, RAM, ports, multimedia configurations and, of course, software from which to chose.

However, for the past couple of years it seems as though processors didn’t fundamentally change except that the clock speeds kept increasing. There was no great leap in performance as there was from the 286 to the 386 to the 486 to Pentium. Instead AMD and Intel engaged in a race for the fastest processor without adding much more than speed and on-chip cache size.

In the past few months though, some new technology has once again increased the choices among processors beyond their clock speeds. Both AMD and Intel have introduced 64 bit processors and dual core 64-bit processors once again making the answer to the question “What computer should I buy?” more difficult to answer. The following are some considerations that might help.

First, here is a very basic explanation of how the new processors differ from their immediate predecessors. Pentium processors and the competing products from AMD are 32 bit processors. That means that they receive and process 32 bits of data per each clock cycle. As the speed of the processor goes up the speed with which the computing processes are performed goes up proportionately because more calculations are performed per unit of time. However, there are limits to how fast processors can be made to run. Heat is one major problem. As processor speed increases, so does the heat generated. Another limitation is the size of the chip. The smaller the processor chip the less distance the data has to travel and the faster it can be processed. For various reasons processor chips are about as small as they can get with current technology. However, if the data bus is increased from 32 to 64 bits, the speed with which computing functions can be performed theoretically doubles without increasing the clock speed because the processor now works with twice as much data at one time.. For a more pointy-headed explanation of 32 vs. 64 bit processors, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit.

Dual core processors actually contain two processors on one chip. The processors work together to share the processing load. Dual processor motherboards have been around for a while. Dual core chips are a cheaper and more efficient dual processor solution. The advantage is that more computing functions can be performed with lower clock speeds thereby avoiding the heat problem and other hurdles associated with higher clock speeds.

To tap the full potential of the 64 bit processor, software must be designed to take advantage of the chips ability to process data in 64 bit chunks. As has been the case since the inception of the PC, processors have evolved faster than software has been developed to take optimal advantage of them. While Microsoft has released a 64 bit version of Windows XP, there are very few applications designed to utilize the 64 bit architecture. But, the processor and operating system are backward compatible with 32 bit applications. Tests show that the new processors run the old applications as fast as or faster than their immediate 32 bit predecessors so there ’s no performance downside in purchasing a 64 bit machine ahead of the curve.

Dual core processors offer an immediate performance increase simply because two processor cores can do more in less time than one. These machines are fast with applications or tasks that are processor intensive such as graphics, games, multimedia and large data bases. Basically, if an application requires the computer to sit and “think” for long periods of time with little disk activity, a dual core processor will show an immediate improvement. The speed increase will be even more pronounced after 64 bit software becomes more widely available. The new iMacs from Apple feature Intel dual core processors with an operating system and native software designed to take full advantage of the architecture. These machines are blazing fast.

Given the choice between the current generation of computers with 32 bit processors and the new 64 bit single or dual core models what should you buy if you’re in the market for a new computer? The most important consideration is still “What will the computer be used for?”

Most of the machines in my office are used for word processing and running the workstation application of my case management software. Right now and probably for at least the next couple of years there is no 64 bit version of Microsoft Word or Amicus Attorney. Even after these applications become available in a 64-bit version the 32 bit version will continue to do the job for some time. These applications simply don’t require a lot of processor power. I recently purchased another ‘low end” Dell computer with an Intel Celeron processor for use as a workstation. This relatively slow computer is more than adequate for that purpose.

I also recently purchased a Compaq laptop with an AMD 64 bit processor. I got this computer, not because of the 64 bit architecture, but because it was otherwise a good buy. Although this unit is as fast as its 32 bit competitors with similar clock speeds, it came loaded with the Windows XP Home Edition operation system rather than the 64 bit version of XP. Accordingly, it is still relegated to 32 bit operation for most of its computing functions. This illustrates my point. Without software capable of taking advantage of their full capability 64 bit processors are “ dumbed down” basically to the level of their 32 bit predecessors.

If increased processor speed is what you crave, the dual core chips will deliver that immediately as long as the operating system will handle multiple processors. Windows XP Professional with the appropriate updates and hot fixes will handle the dual core processors as will the XP 64 bit version of XP. Windows Server 2000 and Server 2003 will operate with dual processor servers albeit recognizing them as two and one processors respectively in counting them against the maximum number of processors supported. The processor itself and the operating system handle the task of allocating computer functions between the two cores so the computer overall performs faster.

If I were in the market for a server or a computer to be used as a server for my case management system I would consider paying the extra price of a dual core processor. The system I have works fine but a processor speed increase would be noticeable. Also, the video editing I do requires a great deal of processor time. The increased processor capability would be welcomed there. Otherwise, a dual core processor would be overkill for me. As prices come down, as they inevitably will for new technology I will either purchase or build a new computer with a dual core processor for video editing.

To summarize, the average 32-bit machine is still more than adequate for most applications in a law office but the 64-bit machines are the coming thing. If it’s otherwise a good deal I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one of the 64-bit units now. They aren’t much more than the comparable 32 bit models. However there simply isn’t any 64 bit software currently available for my needs. I will eventually replace my computers with 64-bit models but the total cost of buying a computer bundled with software is less than buying the computer and software separately so I’ll wait for the software to come available before making a wholesale changeover. I’ll probably build or buy a dual core processor computer in the near term for video editing and will eventually replace my server with one.

However, if you want the best, newest, fastest computer available the dual core models are the way to go. Also, for the first time, the Mac has really started to catch my eye. I’ll write more about that later.

E. G. “Gerry” Morris is a solo practitioner and has practiced law for over 27 years in Austin, Texas. He is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. His firm web site is at www.egmlaw.com. Email your comments and questions to Gerry at tech@egmlaw.com.