Get a Laptop Now or Wait for Intel to Release 9th Gen Processors

SMaster03 on 07/09/2018 - 11:55

I have been interested lately in getting a new laptop and in particular the Dell Xps 13 9360 but feel that Intel is about to release their new generation of processors. My current laptop is very slow and takes a very long time to load simple pages such as Google Drive and YouTube. However, I fear that if I order a laptop now and Intel releases a new line of processors I will feel bad about getting a laptop with an older generation processor. However, the mobile processor I don't think will get released until later next year.

What should I do; wait or get a new laptop now? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Looking forward to your replies,

SMaster03.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • AdamFury on 07/09/2018 - 11:57
    +2

    I just bought a new XPS 13 (9370) with the 8th gen i7 8550u and 16gb of RAM and it's blazing fast. I'm sure you woun't be disappointed if you pick up a 9360. The jump from 7th gen to 8th gen performance was a lot larger than usual so the next jump might not be as big as well as having to wait a fair time.

    • SMaster03 on 07/09/2018 - 12:07

      Yea I was thinking about that as well. The jump will definitely not be as big as the jump was from the 7th gen to the 8th. But won't there be any other advantages in the 9th gen processors?

      • AdamFury on 07/09/2018 - 12:22

        There's always going to be benefits however as mentioned below you play an endless waiting game. If you pick up a 9360 now you definitely won't be disappointed now and for years to come. Great machine.

      • dcep on 07/09/2018 - 12:25

        the advantages would be no loopholes on meltdown/spectre.

        unlike current gen even with software fix, still susceptible to future encounters of spectre variant 99999999.

      • HighAndDry on 07/09/2018 - 12:29
        -2

        The 9360 is the 7th gen intel cpu model. For the 8th gen cpu, you want the 9370.

        • AdamFury on 07/09/2018 - 12:32
          +2

          The 9360's were refreshed with the 8th gen.

        • HighAndDry on 07/09/2018 - 12:34

          @AdamFury: Oh. Damn. Uh, ignore my comments then.

          (Why though? I thought the 9370 was the refresh?)

        • AdamFury on 07/09/2018 - 12:37

          @HighAndDry: I think they wanted to refresh the 9360 and keep a model with old school USB ports possibly at a more affordable price.

        • chossenger on 08/09/2018 - 23:36
          +1

          The 8th-gen 9360's are great, but you've got to keep an eye open. Kogan have a bunch of refurbs, but they're the 7th gen ones

    • HighAndDry on 07/09/2018 - 12:29

      Uh, the 9360 is the last gen model, with the 7th gen CPU. If OP wants to get an XPS now, they should get the 9370.

      —

      Leaving my stupidity for posterity, but apparently the 9360 (some?) how also have a 8th gen cpu.

  • GangGang on 07/09/2018 - 12:00

    What are the specs on your current laptop? Could you just upgrade your current laptop to an ssd drive if it doesn't have one?

    • SMaster03 on 07/09/2018 - 12:05
      +1

      My current laptop has an 11 inch screen, 2gb ram, intel atom processor and a 64gb ssd.

      • peterpeterpumpkin on 07/09/2018 - 19:00

        Almost anything will be better than that!

        For browsing the internet and watching movies you can really use anything modern with an SSD, but you always compromise when getting something super portable. Any of those thick second hand laptops that go for $300 will be good enough for most things.

  • ausdday on 07/09/2018 - 12:07
    +5

    This will be the endless waiting game. Intel will announce new processors, it will take some time before they are released. Then it will take some time for the manufacturer to design and put the new processors in their new lineup and release it. It will then take some time, for the new product lineup to be on sales, and then it's time for intel to announce new processors again.

    8th Gen processors just had a relatively big overhaul compared to 7th gen. Personally I don't expect the 9th Gen will be a big difference compared to 8th Gen.

    • SMaster03 on 07/09/2018 - 12:12

      That is true, i hadn't thought of that. What i had thought of however was the performance difference between 8th to 9th gen, which in all likelihood is probable to follow suit with the tiny jumps of generations prior. But… what if we get a major overhaul? Intel could be looking to bolster it's brand name after the security breaches that happened this, or last year?

      Either or, i'm leaning towards purchasing a 9360 in the current 20% Ebay deal.

      • HighAndDry on 07/09/2018 - 12:31

        Either or, i'm leaning towards purchasing a 9360 in the current 20% Ebay deal.

        I'm now repeating myself, but the 9360 has the 7th gen intel cpu. It's currently already last gen. You want to the 9370 for the 8th gen cpu.

        —

        Leaving my stupidity for posterity, but apparently the 9360 (some?) how also have a 8th gen cpu.

  • CyberMurning on 07/09/2018 - 12:08

    the smartest way is:

    WAIT for Intel to Release 10th Gen Processors, then BUY for Intel 9th Gen Processors.

    only stupid people buy something on release date, even worst when they camp for 5 nights to get something that is not even limited edition.

    enuf said.

    • SMaster03 on 07/09/2018 - 12:16

      I saw that edit :_)

      Unfortunately, my laptop is unbearable so I'm looking for a relatively immediate replacement.

      Following your logic though, are you suggesting the best plan would be to hold off till 9th gen mobile release and buy a 9360?

      • ausdday on 07/09/2018 - 13:18

        If you really want future proof, i think 9370 would be a better option. It has all USB-C port, might be pain in the s for now, but we are definitely seeing more devices going towards USB-C. For extra 200 (or $160 with 20% discount), you get a slightly faster PC (9370 has better cooling and thus CPU can run faster longer), all USB-C port, slightly better display, and some reduced thickness and weight. The downside is you lose a bit of battery life.

        edit: Had a detail look on the spec sheet, it seems like dell XPS 13 is still using rather inferior DDR3 1866, when even lenovo entry level is using DDR4 2400 RAM

  • diceman99 on 07/09/2018 - 13:21

    The only reason I would wait for the 9th gen, is because the 8th gen should have a price drop. The 9th gen when released will also have a price premium.

  • FireRunner on 07/09/2018 - 13:55

    I doubt you'll notice the difference between 8th and 9th gen CPUs unless you are running applications which require lots of processing power.
    I say just go for the current gen, you sound like you need a laptop real soon and it could be a while till they roll them out on laptops + you'll pay more for newly released hardware.

  • Godric on 07/09/2018 - 15:20

    it's just a refresh of the 8th gen chips to fix spectre issues, probably fine to purchase now

  • sane on 07/09/2018 - 15:29

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/401579

    I've always considered the processor to be secondary to the screen on a laptop - and certainly if your try and do any serious number crunching, the CPU will overheat and throttle.

  • Pixel on 07/09/2018 - 16:48

    I think I agree with most of the other people saying that there's always going to be a waiting game, and that it's worth getting now. What I wanted to add is that computers are no longer being limited by the processing power anymore, processing for the first time (to the average consumer) is now being limited by thermal throttling (for laptops) so even a more powerful laptop in the same form factor may not necessarily be that much of an improvement. What is being improved though is the efficiency in which the processors are able to use power - i.e. for a few years we've seen improvements of 20-30% in battery life which is significant but if you buy a laptop where you're happy with the battery life I would say this isn't a consideration that you would need to take into account.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/09/2018 - 06:29

    Why dont you just buy a ryzen?

  • JIMB0 on 08/09/2018 - 08:12
    -1

    I'm waiting on the 10th generation processors to come out. My 486DX2 66mhz is still fine.

    • rompastompa on 08/09/2018 - 08:45

      My 486DX2 66mhz is still fine.

      Only because you're using the turbo button. Try with it off, you'll want to upgrade.

  • Hithere on 08/09/2018 - 08:40

    There will always be something newer and better coming out.

    Unless you are trying to keep up with the Joneses buy the best you can afford when you can afford it.

  • RibaldGadfly on 08/09/2018 - 08:57
    +1

    Any computer from the last five years should have a processor powerful enough to handle YouTube and Google drive.
    From the spec you gave, I'd suggest you increase your RAM.
    I have A Dell 3000,which uses an Atom. However I've increased the Ram to 8Gb and installed a larger SSD.
    I use it for browsing, writing (Scrivener) and Office. It sings, no problems with speed.
    I have however been careful not to overload it with software. Just the basics.
    My other laptop, has a more powerful processor and copes with the heavier lifting - Visual Studio and so on.

  • Plug on 08/09/2018 - 09:21

    How fast do you seriously need a laptop to be? Will that saving of a few milliseconds here and there really be such a big deal?

  • blwnhr on 08/09/2018 - 11:12

    Having played witness to a large number of XPS 13 failures over the last 2 generations I would look at the HP Envy or Spectre ranges.

  • G Wok on 26/12/2018 - 23:25

    OP - what did you end up doing? i'm in the same situation now

    I heard XP13's are prone to battery swelling issues

  • Toons on 26/12/2018 - 23:43

    There is always something bigger better faster, sometimes you just have to evaluate your needs or you will be constantly disappointed. Manufacturers are in a holding pattern with the new GFX cards at the moment and they have pulled or discontinued a fair bit so where does it end.

    Most machines over the last couple of years haven't lived up to expectations because AMD, Microsoft and Intel are constantly looking for ways to box you in, I returned a new up specked MAC because my older one outperforms it unless I had the eGPU hooked up.

    It also worked much better as a PC, they couldn't even argue the point and I wasn't going to wait 6 months for engineers to work something out.

  • G Wok on 07/01/2019 - 18:26

    The power efficiency upgrades are interesting, particularly in a small factor. Sounds like they've maxed out raw performance

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