My first laptop: should I go for a 64 bit CPU?

[cptgone]

Should I go for the Athlon 64 to keep up with audio software (Cubase, eXT, lotsa plugs)?

Or get a Centrino instead?

I need a laptop that will run Visual Basic for about 6 hours.

[foosnark]

I think the general consensus is 64-bit isn't quite there yet.

If you need long battery life you'll probably need a Centrino or (my personal fave) Athlon XP-M, but read a bunch of reviews -- manufacturer stated battery life isn't necessarily what you get in the real world.

Just because a laptop uses a low-power mobile CPU doesn't mean (A) it's not going to be running all-out to keep up with your application(s) and thus not saving power anyway, and (B) other components aren't going to be sucking down power (CD-ROM drive, HDD, fans, display etc.) So check the reviews

[ambe]

The main difference between the Athlon mobile chips and the desktop ones is that they passed tests so that they can be run at lower voltage, hence increasing battery life. Apart from that and an unlocked multiplier (so the motherboard can reduce clock cycles and hence reduce battery life) they are essentially the same chip.

[ekral]

if you need long battery life, go for Centrino