Hi Hilmar,

First, most important thing is Core 2 duo is 64bit based. Pentium 4 and Core Duo processors are 32 bit.

Core 2 duo has two kernel in one chip. It hasn't got exactly two processors...

I bougt my daughter recently a HP AMD 5200+ computer. I preffered AMD because it's cheap from Intel. Same Core 2 Duo cpu expensive from up to for about 100USD. Maybe you can think about AMD processors... Don't look speed. I know same speed Core 2 duo processor really faster from same AMD. But you can buy another better AMD cpu with less money... :)