help b*ying a laptop

[username01]

which is better?

Processor: AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile Processor M520 2.3GHz

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/654/861/-/ ... type=genre



OR


Processor: Intel Pentium DualCore Mobile T4300 2.10 GHz

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/654/861/-/ ... type=genre


thanks :)

[a_person]

I would say to research both of them thoroughly and then make your choice.

Read reviews on them both and see what people think...

Here's two to get you started:

DV7
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-pavi ... 76077.html

DV6
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-pavi ... 76095.html

From a glance the DV7 looks better but I really can't give a proper opinion as I haven't researched it properly...

[Sydney_Bristow]

both have good specs but frankly I would go for the DV6 because its only 2.88kgs. Weight is a huge issue for me - my last laptop weighed an absolute tonne and I'm only wee so that sucked!

Have you looked at the John Lewis laptops? You get a 3 yr warranty for free unlike the 1yr with play if I'm not mistaken. Also, what I would advise you to do is to actually to play around for a few mins with the various computers. E.g. even if you are gonna go for one of the two you mentioned above, why don't you find a store with them on display and try it out for size. It can really narrow things down for you and then you can come back and b*y it from play if its more convenient/a better deal, etc. Then again, you might find something thats more to your liking while you're instore.

Having said that, out of the two you've mentioned I would go for DV6 right off the bat. You're p*ying the extra £70 for 180G extra (do you really need it??) and a bigger screen (therefore, heavier laptop). Whats good is that they both have a dedicated graphics card which you'd want for flash/video, etc. IMHO DV6 is the one to go for.

But I still say go instore (currys, comet, JL, HOF, pcworld, etc) and have a play around before settling on one which you can later (if you prefer) b*y online.

Hope I've helped more than I've confused I'm good at confuzzling

Good luck!!

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

On top of the above excellent advice, I'll add one more thing to look out for. Do not b*y any laptops which have Windows 7 BASIC or even worse STARTER installed. Make sure it has HOME PREMIUM or above. The 2 laptops you are pondering over have Home Premium. And of course avoid Vista like the plague but I dont think you'll find many of those selling new now.

As Sidney points out those laptops have dedicated graphics cards (although not high end) which should make the laptops suitable for video editing work.

[a_person]

Haha Mr Glass, I didn't think any decent laptop would even use such crap versions. Windows 7 Starter????? Seriously??? I just b*ght Windows Home 7 Professional and it seems to be doing wonders for my brother.

Username01, I think you need to decide what's more important for you. That should help you in deciding whether which one you want. They are very similar in specs but a vital difference is the processor and space on hard drive (as I'm sure you have pointed out).

From personal experience with gaming, speed issues etc, I have never liked AMD processors. I would never b*y a laptop with such a processor either. There is a difference between them. As such, all my laptops/computers have been Intel. My PC is AMD and in comparison to an equivalent Intel, I must say the Intel has performed better.

If weight is an issue, I'd suggest picking both of them up in a shop of equivalent weight and see if you feel the difference. Personally 180G would not make much of a difference in weight (yes it will be heavier but it's grams not kilos!). It is worth it to note that the screen sizes are different too hence the difference in weight. I personally have 5 laptops at home plus a PC. The two 17" ones are heavy and as a result b*ght a 12.1" laptop (The other two are 15.1" and 15.4"). To be honest, I couldn't really remember the difference in weight of the 12.1" and the 17" laptop - the bag was heavy in both cases - it was only easy to move around and lighter to hold then the bigger ones ONCE it was out the bag. On my trips to uni, with either bags - it felt as heavy as each other!!!

The difference in price is focussed more on the fact that it uses Intel as a processor (they generally are more pricey than AMD), the bigger screen size, bigger hard drive etc. I must say though, I am not impressed that this particular laptop uses Intel Pentium DualCore Mobile T4300 2.10 GHz. I think that's rubbish. With that in mind, it makes me want the DV6 for the price!

I think the issues for you will be what will you be using it for and what issues are important to you?

- Is this home or office or for gaming/editing etc?
- What is more relevant to you? Specs of a laptop or the weight of a laptop?

Based on what you want it for, do alot of reading around from people who owned the laptop and what they used it for, their experience etc. I am sure you will find that will help you in your decision. I've never owned a HP laptop but my friend did and he spent more time making use of his warranty then he did actually using it. When his warranty went, he was forced to b*y another laptop!

I feel more biased towards the DV7 but the processor really does put me off and with that in mind, taking into account the price, it's not really worth it. I'd probably look around more. I wouldn't go for the DV6 either though - AMD really do put me off!!!!

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Yeah seriously, some online companies are banging on Windows Starter/Basic!

You sure got it in for AMD, haven't ya Go on admit it, you just LUV the bongbong bongbong tune! In all honesty, it was always a to and fro competitive war between the two. But there isnt a hell of a lot of difference between the two if your not going for their top processors. AMD came out on top several times and was cheaper though Intel always has the bigger clout, the name and um...that tune. But you know what, right now, Intel rules! Their duo and quad core chips ARE superior to the comparable AMD Semprons, Turions and Phenoms. AMD are just not progressing quick enough as Intel. But Intel sure as hell complicates shopping with their ridiculous quadrillion tiny variation range of processors.

I generally would advise, if anyone finds a great deal on an AMD laptop that's considerably cheaper to a comparable Intel one, then b*y the AMD. But if wanting top end processing power, and pride of an "intel inside" sticker, then Intel is the one to go for :) I go for an Intel most of the time, so there goes my defense for AMD out of the window!

But it wont necessarily always be that way...

[username01]

Thank you all for responding , some great help

I don't really mind the weight becasue it won't be moved so much... i just want a laptop with a good processor so it can handle say me download a few things , opening up multiple internet pages etc... so i need a fast processor with alot of ram


if anyone has any other suggestions for around £500 or less please do.

thank you

[a_person]

Yeah seriously, some online companies are banging on Windows Starter/Basic!

That's awful!

You sure got it in for AMD, haven't ya Go on admit it, you just LUV the bongbong bongbong tune! In all honesty, it was always a to and fro competitive war between the two. But there isnt a hell of a lot of difference between the two if your not going for their top processors. AMD came out on top several times and was cheaper though Intel always has the bigger clout, the name and um...that tune. But you know what, right now, Intel rules! Their duo and quad core chips ARE superior to the comparable AMD Semprons, Turions and Phenoms. AMD are just not progressing quick enough as Intel. But Intel sure as hell complicates shopping with their ridiculous quadrillion tiny variation range of processors.

Bongbong tune??? Hahahahaha. Yeh, that's it MrGlasss, that's what makes me tick! I've just never been impressed with AMD processors, if you compare them side by side you can notice the difference. I think it will depend on how closely you scrutinise it - I scrunitise very closely! As I said, I wasn't very impressed with that particular laptops processor even though it's Intel! And yupp, the duo and quad chips are awesome - AMD can never beat that (at present). I would never advise on an AMD processor even if you can't afford it! Just stay PC-less!

I generally would advise, if anyone finds a great deal on an AMD laptop that's considerably cheaper to a comparable Intel one, then b*y the AMD. But if wanting top end processing power, and pride of an "intel inside" sticker, then Intel is the one to go for :) I go for an Intel most of the time, so there goes my defense for AMD out of the window!

But it wont necessarily always be that way...

Most of the laptops I look at have always been with duo or quad for Intel so naturally I'd only advise going on them. It is faster and noticeable. And forget that stupid sticker! My one fell off the bloody laptop cos it kept overheating and the heat made the stickiness go!!!!