Author Topic: which is a better laptop?  (Read 4842 times)

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sahands

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which is a better laptop?
« on: November 12, 2012, 05:58:05 PM »
I'm going to buy a new laptop and needed advice, my choices are:

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E430
Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (L3 3M Cache, 2.5-3.10 GHz)
320GB HDD
16GB mSATA Solid State Cache Drive
4 GB DDR3 - 1600MHz
Intel HD Graphics 4000

or

HP 6565B
AMD A4-3310MX (L2 3M cache, 2.10-2.5 GHz)
128GB SSD
4GB DDR3 - 1333 MHz
AMD Radeon HD 6480G

The Lenovo seems to have a faster processor, but the HP has a dedicated SSD (vs a supplementary Lenovo SSD used only as a cache to assist the HDD), so which is really faster overall?

(the Lenovo is $140 more expensive)

Offline DavidR

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2012, 06:47:22 PM »
It rather depends on what you want to use it for.

Whilst the Lenova has more grunt, the integrated graphics are fine form normal use but for gaming are likely to be limited. The processor, whilst a dual core also has hyper-threading, something the HP CPU doesn't have. Whilst the 16GB mSATA Solid State Cache Drive isn't the same as a full blown SDD it should improve loading speeds. http://www.mydigitalssd.com/msata-ssd.php

The HP with an SDD will be great for speed of boot and loading of programs, but after that the processor power (only dual core) could well be a bigger limiting factor (again depending on what you want to use it for). Only a 128GB SDD may well be insufficient after a short period of time. Its graphics would probably fine for non-gaming use.
« Last Edit: November 12, 2012, 06:49:23 PM by DavidR »
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sahands

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2012, 10:24:45 PM »
I'm not gonna play any games, just need a laptop that can handle everyday use as well as multi-tasking (such as having two browsers open along with media player and MS office)

Offline DavidR

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2012, 11:12:10 PM »
Then I would think that the Lenovo with the Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (L3 3M Cache, 2.5-3.10 GHz) -  dual-core and hyper threading would be better for multi tasking - it is the faster CPU and the additional storage on the 320GB HDD.

These things are I believe what makes it that little bit more expensive, if the extra cost isn't a governing consideration.

I would suggest doing a google search for reviews of both systems.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

sahands

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2012, 02:44:38 AM »
I am leaning towards the lenovo. For the same price, I can also get a lenovo E535:
It has the same specs as the other lenovo, minus the mSATA Solid State Cache Drive, but with an AMD A-Series A8-4500M (L2 4M cache, 1.9-2.8 GHz) instead. Since the A8 is a quad core, you think that's any better?

Offline DavidR

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2012, 02:30:46 PM »
Personally I think that you lose too much as I don't believe the A8 even as a quad core is as good a package as the i5 lenovo. The mSATA SDD cache is going to improve boot times also as regular processes and programs are likely to be placed in this SDD cache.

You really would need to read some reviews on both systems and see which meets your needs best.
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Dch48

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2012, 10:17:50 PM »
The A8 quad is far superior to the A4 dual core and it's graphics capability will far outshine the Intel model. In the usage model you present, the greater CPU power of the Intel wouldn't come into play. I'm a big fan of the AMD APU's in laptops.

sahands

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2012, 11:14:10 PM »
I found this review
AMD A8
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Lenovo-Thinkpad-Edge-E535-Notebook.81653.0.html
Intel i5
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Lenovo-ThinkPad-Edge-E530-NZQBQGE-Notebook.76963.0.html

the Windows 7 Experience Index for the processor on the i5 actually edged out the A8, same goes for 3D business and gaming graphics index
I would've thought the A8 would be faster, at this point I'm becoming committed to the lenovo with the i5
Although for $10 more, I can get the A10-4600M instead of the A8, that would certainly beat the i5 in all aspects right?
« Last Edit: November 13, 2012, 11:17:33 PM by sahands »

Dch48

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2012, 11:30:13 PM »
The A10 is the latest and greatest APU from AMD and I would definitely go for it over the A8 for a $10 difference.

The Intel processors are only faster in intensive usage like video editing and encoding. In normal use, you won't notice a difference at all.

sahands

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2012, 08:19:18 PM »
ok so I found that dell has a good one for the same price as the lenovo:
lenovo: Intel Core i5-3210M (2.5-3.1GHz, 3 MB L3), 320GB HDD with 16GB mSATA SSD cache, 4GB DDR3 RAM
dell: Intel Core i3-3217U (1.8GHz, 3 MB L3), 500GB HDD with 32 GB mSATA SSD, 4GB DDR3 RAM

lenovo has a faster cpu, but only a cache SSD, dell has a slower cpu but a true SSD (that I can install windows on), so overall which would be better?

Dch48

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2012, 09:55:34 PM »
Both Intels are dual core processors that emulate 2 more cores under load. The I5 is certainly faster and given the choice of similar pricing, I would go with it. It would outperform the Dell in every aspect I can think of except maybe boot time.

The only thing I would add is that if you are ever considering gaming on the machine, the best choice for that would be the Lenovo with the AMD A10. While the Intel CPU's are strong, their built in graphics pale in comparison to those of AMD. It depends on the games though as to what kind of performance differences you will see. Some games are more GPU intensive and that's where the AMD would shine. On games that are more CPU intensive, I would say that the A10 and the I5 would be about equal since the greater processing power of the Intel CPU would make up for the relatively weaker graphics capability.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2012, 10:10:37 PM by Dch48 »

sahands

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Re: which is a better laptop?
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2012, 10:40:53 PM »
got it, thanks