Spec Compromise

Nidot

Hey All,

So was hoping someone could help me on this.

I'm looking to buy a new laptop and the choice out there is bewildering me. I was looking at a few different laptops and it's come down to choice of a few and I was hoping I could get some help on what to buy.

The processor which I was hoping to get is - Intel Core i3 -2330M Processor

And I was hoping to get around the 6GB of RAM with it but it's proving difficult to get that together.

But from using the following link - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436+M55c1820fa47.0.html?&3dmark06cpu=1&64bit=1&archive=0&benchmark_values=&cb11=1&cinebench10_m=1&cinebench10_s=1&codename=0&condensed=0&cores=1&cpu_fullname=1&daysold=0&deskornote=2&dhrystone=1&dx=&fsb=0&l2cache=1&l3cache=1&mhz=1&month=&or=&search=&series=0&sort=&superpi1m=1&superpi2m=0&superpi32m=1&sysmark2004se=0&tdp=1&technology=1&threads=1&turbo_mhz=1&type=technology&whetstone=1&wprime_1024=1&wprime_32=1
provided by yourselves I've noticed that the i3 I was looking at is fairly decent (No. 68).

The thing is I've seen other laptops with processors being rated much lower down the list like at 455 ( the AMD C-60) but it comes with the 6GB of RAM which I was hoping to get.

So my conundrum is, should I trade off the ranking of the processor for the extra RAM?

What would you recommend, and what would you choose?

By the way I'm looking for a fairly general family laptop, small bit of gaming (nothing too heavy on the graphics), and running the usual programs like iTunes, media player etc. There would be heavy enough internet usage on it tho, not traffic wise, just regular actual log on.

Thanks for your help in advance.

sqwarez

Get the better processor, no question.

Many laptops have 4 ram slots these days... In the USA, 1 stick of 2gb RAM is like.... 10$

Yes, companies generally make all their money charging way too much for stuff like RAM and hard drives.

Nidot

sqwarez wrote: »

Many laptops have 4 ram slots these days... In the USA, 1 stick of 2gb RAM is like.... 10$

Would it be easy to fit the extra RAM into the laptop?

Sorry for the probably simple question, I've never modded a laptop before.

Fluffy88

It's simple, usually laptops have a little cover on the underside that when removed gives you access to your RAM slots making it very, very easy to upgrade your RAM.

However, why do you think you need 6GB or RAM?
I would call myself a power user and my PC at home only has 3GB of RAM and I have never had any problems with it.
I just bought a new laptop with only 4GB of RAM.

From what you have said 4GB of RAM is far more than you will ever need.
So yeah, get the i3 RAM won't make a difference.

Nidot

Fluffy88 wrote: »

It's simple, usually laptops have a little cover on the underside that when removed gives you access to your RAM slots making it very, very easy to upgrade your RAM.

However, why do you think you need 6GB or RAM?
I would call myself a power user and my PC at home only has 3GB of RAM and I have never had any problems with it.
I just bought a new laptop with only 4GB of RAM.

From what you have said 4GB of RAM is far more than you will ever need.
So yeah, get the i3 RAM won't make a difference.

4GB just seems to be the basic that's out there at the moment.

The one I'm thinking of going for is:
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/11199865/art/lenovo/ideapad-z570.html#pix-review

Seems to be good value at €409 (€430 with shipping).

What you think?

Fluffy88

That's actually great value.
Cheapest Sandybridge i3 I have found it about €450 so that's very good.

RAM is a great area for marketing crap, because most people think more RAM=faster but that so far from the truth.
Basically RAM is the place that your computer stores all the stuff it's using atm and for general use that's just small files, usually taking up about 1GB so for a normal use computer I would put 2GB as recommended and anything above that is only a bonus, but ultimately it won't improve performance or anything since it won't even be used.

Amazon are doing big sales this week and they have a Toshiba laptop coming up in about 3 hours
In the dropdown menu select "Computers & Accessories" and you will see it.
Depending on the offer they give it could be a steal, most things are going up at 50% off, I would keep an eye on it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=nav_swm_blackfridaynonpr?_encoding=UTF8&node=350613011&pf_rd_p=262888567&pf_rd_s=nav-sitewide-msg&pf_rd_t=4201&pf_rd_i=navbar-4201&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1CYKD9EFYB81TD77GQW4

sqwarez

There are quite a few sandy bridge i3 models for ~400 on this page: http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Products/cat/laptops/page/3

Heres an i5 sandy bridge model for 450 with a 750gb hard drive:
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5750_1114404.html

Oh sorry, these are in GBP lol