Laptop Decision Help?

dawnface

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Jan 5, 2014
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10,510
I'll try to keep this short yet get the info I need down. :]

I've been researching around and I am looking into purchasing a new laptop due to the fact that my desktop is on the verge of dying. I've come to the conclusion that I am pretty sure on settling on an HP Pavilion (17-e019dx), because I've heard it a nice laptop for someone on a short budget. I've looked around and am sure that I will be purchasing it from our local BestBuy, but they have two available (I'll put the links at the end of this post).

One with ; 4th Gen Intel Core i3-4000M processor with Intel HD Graphics 4600
The second with ; AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-5550M Accelerated Processor with AMD Radeon HD 8550G graphics

Both having 4GB RAM (expandable to 8GB) and a 750GB hard drive, running on Windows 8.

I'm on an extremely tight budget, $400USD being my absolute maximum price for the laptop itself. I will most likely be able to upgrade things later on but it will be quite some time (over a year) before I will be able to do so. Upgrading to the maximum amount of RAM will be the first on my list!

Now, I'm wondering on which processor of the two will be a better choice for me. I overall will need this computer for daily use, for things including the web for school and surfing, Photoshop & art programs for digital graphics & design, and slight gaming (things like Skyrim, Minecraft, etc). I won't be able to upgrade anything right away due to my budget as mentioned before, so I'll have to stick with what the laptop has until my financial situation gets better.

So, which one would be better overall? Both (unless BestBuy holds a sale, which they periodically do) are the same price, being $399.99USD.

17.3" Pavilion with Intel i3
17.3" Pavilion with AMD


Thank you!
 
Solution

vinaykumar5320

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Nov 2, 2012
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11,210


These 2 laptops aren't for gaming. Both HD4600 & HD8550G are quite weak GPUs. Not at all recommended for Skyrim. You will have to extend your budget to by at least 150$ to get the minimum gaming laptop.

However, to choose among the 2, I'd say, select the i3 model, as it has HD4600, which is much better than HD8550G.

 
Solution

dawnface

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
3
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10,510


Alright, thank you. I was pretty sure I wanted to go for the i3 apposed to the other. I was aware that they're not at all meant for gaming, but my budget is unfortunately very small as of now and this was the cheapest I could find that looked pretty decent compared to others, plus the 17" screen. I don't mind playing at lower settings, and it's mainly going to be used for digital graphics design & art, web surfing/e-mail/etc, videos, and school, with the occasional gaming. Though I'm okay to drop the gaming part of it if needed.

Thank you so much for the input!