Laptop processors tend to be more energy efficient than desktop processors.
Laptop processors consume less power and generate less heat than their desktop counterparts. This eliminates the need for large cooling systems, allowing for smaller laptops with longer battery life, according to Computer Shopper. It's important to weigh performance against power consumption when comparing these "mobile" CPUs.
TDP
A processor's TDP (Thermal Design Power) expresses the amount of heat its cooling system is required to dissipate. The lower the TDP, the cooler the CPU runs. As of 2010, Intel mobile processor TDPs range from 55 watts to as low as 2 watts.
Clock Speed
Clock speed specifies the frequency at which the processor performs calculations. The higher the clock speed, the more operations the CPU performs per second. While desktop CPUs reach speeds of nearly 4 GHz (4 billion cycles per second), as of 2010, laptop CPUs reach speeds ranging from approximately 1 GHz to 3 GHz.
Processor Cores
CPUs may consist of multiple processors installed on the same chip. Typically, the more cores a CPU has, the more tasks it can perform simultaneously. As of 2010, laptop CPUs come with one, two, three or four cores.
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