Help please

Still using windows vista but making the jump to windows 8, I've been looking at this laptop and need some feedback from other windows users on the spec etc, I've got a rough idea on spec, I'm looking at

Acer e5-571 intel i5 4210u 4GB 1.7ghz
Apparently the acer can burst to 2.5ghz according to Google.

Or

hp pavilion i3 8GB 1.8ghz

I'll be using it for mostly college work, some gaming minecraft etc...YouTube, netflex and other web browsing.

What one is best? Faster? Runs smoothly? I take it i5 should be better but seeing the hp has 8GB will this make a big difference? Both are the same price at £379.

Thanks my first post on the forum, I hope I posted in the right area.

I would take the i5 over i3 and add another 4 GB since memory is quite cheap.

You don't need 8GB, certainly not. You also do not need for your use any turbo burst.

Buy the cheaper one. To do otherwise would just waste your money.

Both are same price. So i5 is the one? Are acer's decent laptops? I'm sorry for all the questions just don't wanna regret my decision? Is it free to update to 8.1 I'm hearing?

topgundcp said:

I would take the i5 over i3 and add another 4 GB since memory is quite cheap.

Click to expand...

Why has the i3 got a higher ghz? only slightly I know.

I've been using Acer laptops for 5+ years now and have been happy. Usually get more bang for the buck. Like any laptop they are not made to be thrown around like you see some people doing, that is what ruggedized models are for.

As far as the i3 versus i5 speed, it is just how they make them, they find the sweet spot. I would go with the i5 if you plan on doing some gaming especially if the same price.

popeye said:

I've been using Acer laptops for 5+ years now and have been happy. Usually get more bang for the buck. Like any laptop they are not made to be thrown around like you see some people doing, that is what ruggedized models are for.

As far as the i3 versus i5 speed, it is just how they make them, they find the sweet spot. I would go with the i5 if you plan on doing some gaming especially if the same price.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I was going to push the boat out and pay the extra £70 for an i7 but I doubt I will be playing high quality games.

From personal experience, i have found the i3 will play minecraft at acceptable framerates only if you really cut the settings down, i bought a laptop for my son last year at the same time a friend bought one, and the amd a8 does better than the i3 because the gfx core in the a8 is better. I'm assuming the laptop you are looking at is using the gfx core in the i3, and doesn't have a discrete gpu

If you can you should try each of them... Rather than memory and CPU, many other things make a laptop good or bad to work with. What is the screen's size ? What kind of pointing device ? The weight is also important if you plan on moving it a lot.... What is the battery capacity ? Are there any mechanisms to protect against theft ? Etc...

You shouldn't limit yourself to memory/cpu, since laptops in the same price range will usually have about the same performance. So again, if you have the opportunity it is best to test them yourself before you buy them.