The Ethics of Desktop Chips Stuffed Into Laptop PCs

squareBIT writes "I recently found this article on THG about my SmartStep 250N having a desktop CPU stuffed into it. That's all fine and dandy. but when I paid for this thing, nobody told me it would run at HALF SPEED in battery mode. I don't recall there being any mention of this before I handed them thousands of dollars. Shouldn't there be some sort ethical ramifications put into action here? I feel so dirty ..." The least-satisfactory computer I've ever owned (won't even boot now) is a Toshiba with just such a chip -- wish I'd asked about that in the store.

Comments

Caveat Emptor

[Inthewire]

If you bought an old Mustang and found out it was a four cylinder POS and not an eight cylinder monster would you feel cheated? Or would you feel stupid for not having researched a major purchase? Just because you have the cash on hand doesn't mean you have to buy something this second - check it out first. The internet is a fantastic way to learn the true specs of a product, especially computers. Use it.

Re:Caveat Emptor

[ruiner13]

If you bought an old Mustang and found out it was a four cylinder POS and not an eight cylinder monster would you feel cheated? Or would you feel stupid for not having researched a major purchase? Just because you have the cash on hand doesn't mean you have to buy something this second - check it out first. The internet is a fantastic way to learn the true specs of a product, especially computers. Use it.

Actually, I read a while back that auto manufacturers are developing a "speed-step" like engine management system for cars, if it isn't out already (can't find articles now...). Basically, when you are cruising along at moderate speeds, and don't need all your rated power from your engine, it doesn't send fuel or spark to certain cylinders to save gas. If you step on the throttle, it activates them again. I think it was Mercedes-Benz who was playing with this. I might be wrong, but I think the corvette might have something similar? Anyway, it does exist, at least on paper for now.

Re:Check the BIOS settings

[Cinnibar CP]

What you are talking about is actually a good feature for many laptops. If you want to maximize your performance while depending on battery, check your BIOS while booting. There probably is some switch for gliding between max. power savings and max. performance.

The article mentions in passing that the user has no control over this performance degradation.

Even if they did, it's hardly convienient have to reboot and enter the BIOS to rev up the processor in the midst of heavy operations.

Toshiba troubles? You're not alone.

[vaxer]

A friend of mine went through hell trying to get any customer service from Toshiba. Even when they finally agreed that he deserved a replacement, he got censored (and censured) for telling other customers.

you have to be kidding.

[gurps_npc]

I work in IT for a law firm. If any lawyer came up to me and asked for a laptop that did NOT have this feature (or to turn it off), I would laugh in their face. How hard is it to understand: 1) Computers have so much speed now that only the most graphic intensive game or the most complex calculations are going to come close to pushing their limit. 2) Batteries have not kept up with chips, and thus have laughable capacities for the things you use. 3) Unless you carry spare fully charged batteries with you, you have to be a moron not to use the incredibally helpfull feature that you are complaining about. Even if you are playing Doom, it is far better to play Doom for 2 hours with a slight jerkiness and speed reduction, than to lose power and have to kill the game 1 hour into your 2 hour train ride.

Re:Caveat Emptor ... or Misleading Advertising ?

[Bobartig]

However for the original poster, this might not apply because all laptop chips downshift when running on battery- to save power consumption, duh.

First off, my laptop's cpu does not downshift. I tell it not to. Second, its a desktop chip masquerading as a laptop chip, which causes more problems. They don't technically downshift because they're missing SpeedStep circuitry. Instead, the timer sends the CPU empty cycles every other cycle, so the processor only does work half its cycles. This effectively lowers power consumption and performance, without techincally changing the speed of operation (because the desktop processor can't change speed)