5400 vs 7200 RPM

[Shelf]

One laptop I'm looking at has a 320 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive, while the other has a 500 GB 7200 RPM. The size of the drive doesn't concern me.

I've tried to get a good grasp of the debate of "5400 vs 7200" through searches, but I haven't been able to find much at all.

So, I have two questions:

1. What exactly does the RPM impact. Is "performance" in regards to things like frame rate?
2. Is there a noticeable difference, in laptops, between the two, given that I will use it mostly for browsing, some multi-tasking, and light gaming?

 

[jsc]

Some drive i/o characteristics (random access, for example) are a little faster on 7200 rpm drives.

7200 rpm drives eat more power.

You're going to buy a laptop. How important is battery life to you?

If battery life is of paramount importance, get the smaller, slower drive. Otherwise, let you budget decide.

Rotational speed has little effect on frame rates.