Which is faster? i5 with SSD or i7?

mmcc120

Estimable
Jun 21, 2014
1
0
4,510
I'm looking at two Lenovo laptops and would like advice on whether the processor speeds will be much different. They're the exact same cost, it's just a difference of processor and touch screen. My priority is for speed and efficiency. I run a lot of Adobe creative cloud programs and do a lot of multitasking. However, if the speed isn't that different, then I'd like the touch screen. But if it will be significantly different, then I don't need the touch screen.

One has a i5-4200U processor, but has a 500GB hard drive with a 8GB cache SSD. It also has 8 gb RAM, and a touch screen.

The other doesn't have touch screen, but has a i7-4700MQ processor with a 1TB 5400 RPM hard drive. Also 8 GB RAM.

Thanks for your input!
 

derekullo

Distinguished
Jan 25, 2009
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18,660
i7 with double the hard drive space would be the way to go. Touchscreen is nice for using every once in a while but if you are doing actual work on it for more than half an hour your arm will get tired and you'll be forced back to a mouse.
 

6R1M01R3

Estimable
May 25, 2014
15
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4,570
Real SSD will give you a BIG difference in loading times and performance over a HDD (SSD with enough room to install OS and some softwares/applications) but the i7 has hyperthreading that is something you want for multitasking and design/render software. It's only 8GBs of SSD using for cacheing and touchscreenthat is not much required.