Decision to buy a laptops: Toshiba, ASUS or Lenovo, i3 vs i5?

jkcal

Estimable
Aug 20, 2014
2
0
4,510
Hi, I am planning to buy a new laptop to replace my old 10+ year old Toshiba Satellite M45 laptop. I use my laptop for MS office, surf the internet and watch movie online/TV using HDMI. I multitask a lot and open many browsers and programs at the same time. Will Intel i3 with 6gb ram have the same speed as Intel i5 with 4gb? I need speed, reliabilities and expecting to use this laptop as many years as possible. I am on a budget for laptop under/around $500. Any input will be appreciated.

Here are the three laptops I am considering:

1. $420, Toshiba Satellite C55-B5200 with 4th generation i3, 6gb ram and 750gb hard drive.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-c55-b5200-laptop-internet-security-software-sleeve-mouse-flash-drive-package/9999228200050000.p?id=pcmprd226900050000&skuId=9999228200050000&st=5998005&lp=1&cp=1

2. $469, ASUS X550LA-SI50402W with 4th generation i5, 4gb ram, 500gb hard drive.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-15-6-laptop-intel-core-i5-4gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive-dark-gray-blue-gray/6643023.p?id=1219229364828&skuId=6643023&st=6643023&cp=1&lp=1

3. $520, Lenovo G50-70 20351 with i5, 4gb ram, 500gb hard drive.
http://www.frys.com/product/8120995?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Thanks,
JK
 
Solution
Pretty much any budget or base-consumer-orientated laptop is going to be a type of generic made-in-china assembly. You would have to be an expert hair-splitter to notice the difference. More specialized assemblies, like something from Alienware, or the Microsoft Surface, are where there will be a noticeable boost in build quality.

On a mobile platform, I think the biggest difference between the I3 and I5 is that the I5 has a turbo boost function.

jkcal

Estimable
Aug 20, 2014
2
0
4,510


So, is Lenovo or ASUS more reliable? Or are they about the same?
 

Calculatron

Honorable
Apr 3, 2013
6
0
10,520
Pretty much any budget or base-consumer-orientated laptop is going to be a type of generic made-in-china assembly. You would have to be an expert hair-splitter to notice the difference. More specialized assemblies, like something from Alienware, or the Microsoft Surface, are where there will be a noticeable boost in build quality.

On a mobile platform, I think the biggest difference between the I3 and I5 is that the I5 has a turbo boost function.
 
Solution