Acctually the processor in question is not a "very old socket 478 part". It runs on a Socket P. Socket P is the mobile processor socket replacement for Intel Core 2 chips. It launched on May 9, 2007, as part of the Santa Rosa platform with the Merom and Penryn processors. It's generally new, and supports both most core 2 duo's (mobile) and some core2quads (mobile). So in theory if one were to buy any laptop with an Intell T4400, he/she could upgrade their processor from a T4400 to anything from the core 2 duos to a core 2 quad, adding more value to the laptop in question. In short, anything with a T4400 is probably a better investment than an AMD 64x2 based laptop, which is accually using an older socket type than the T4400.