Quad core A6 or the Intel i3 or i5

[yusonoz]

which is the best purchase for my 12 year old daughter (homework, web browsing, nickelodeon and disney games).

My choices are between a Gateway (AMD Quad-Core A6-3400M Accelerated Processor 1.4GHz with TurboCORE Technology up to 2.3GHz) or a Dell (2nd generation Intel® Core™ i3-2330M processor 2.20 GHz /2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5-2430M processor 2.40 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.00 GHz).

If Dell is the best choice then will I notice the difference between the i3 and the i5

 

[Guest]

Quad A6 if the I5 doesn't have a dedicated graphics card,

but for what you are doing, whatever is cheapest, you will probably not notice a difference with what you are going to be doing with it.

I3 and I5 have better battery life, so you might want to consider that.

 

[yusonoz]

the only thing it says is Intel HD Graphics/HD Graphics 3000 with up to 1.6GB Dynamic Video Memory

the quad core A6 said video graphics AMD Radeon HD 6520G graphics with 512MB system memory

I havent a clue...lol

 

[amuffin]

does your daughter play any games that are downloaded off of the internet, like 3d games? And what is your total budget?

 

[blazorthon]

The A6 integrated graphics is MUCH faster than Intel's integrated graphics. There is no way there is an A6 machine with 512MB main memory, I'm not sure it is even possible. At a minimum it would have 2GB (2048MB) and no less. It might be able to dedicate a maximum of 512MB of system memory to the graphics but the total memory needs to be much higher than 512MB.

I doubt the i5 would be noticeably faster than the A6 if it even is faster if it is a dual core.
The A6 would have more than enough CPU performance and GPU performance. The dell would have more tan enough CPU performance but would be lacking in GPU performance which means graphics would suck compared to the A6 and wouldn't be able to handle anything more intense than video playback (movies, youtube, that kind of stuff), having very poor performance or poor quality in games.

I recommend going with the Gateway computer instead of the Intel.

 

[yusonoz]

does your daughter play any games that are downloaded off of the internet, like 3d games? And what is your total budget?

As of now she doesn't dowmload much...I dont let her. She mainly plays the games on the website. Things may change when she get her own computer. My main reason is for her homework since we always need my laptop at the same time.

 

[yusonoz]

The A6 integrated graphics is MUCH faster than Intel's integrated graphics. There is no way there is an A6 machine with 512MB main memory, I'm not sure it is even possible. At a minimum it would have 2GB (2048MB) and no less. It might be able to dedicate a maximum of 512MB of system memory to the graphics but the total memory needs to be much higher than 512MB.

I doubt the i5 would be noticeably faster than the A6 if it even is faster if it is a dual core.
The A6 would have more than enough CPU performance and GPU performance. The dell would have more tan enough CPU performance but would be lacking in GPU performance which means graphics would suck compared to the A6 and wouldn't be able to handle anything more intense than video playback (movies, youtube, that kind of stuff), having very poor performance or poor quality in games.

I recommend going with the Gateway computer instead of the Intel.

All I know is both computers will have 4GB 500GB HD. She does like to play games so I guess if I wont notice any difference in her computer needs I should go by that. Also I was trying to decide if it was a big difference in an i3 and the i5 if I went witht he intel.
Also I've had problems with Dells customer service.

 

[yusonoz]

does your daughter play any games that are downloaded off of the internet, like 3d games? And what is your total budget?

I can say she loves to play games thats all she does on her phone.

 

[rds1220]

I really would stay away from Dell, they're junk and when something goes wrong (and trust me it will especially with a Dell) good luck with thier customer service. Expect to be on the phone for atleast 4 hours if not more. I would recommend looking at other companies like Acer, Apple, HP and Asus.

.

 

[amuffin]

Hey, what is your budget though? We could probably suggest a much better laptop than the ones you have choosen.

 

[amirp]

here, I used these three sites with benchmarks to determine the relative CPU speeds between the three you have chosen:

A6: http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-A-Series-A6-3400M-Notebook-Processor.55753.0.html

i3: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i3-2330M-Notebook-Processor.52200.0.html

i5: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i5-2430M-Notebook-Processor.53435.0.html

Result: i5 > i3 > A6
Based on the above, I would assume there would be a definite noticeable difference in moving from the A6 to the i5, and probably not much between the i3 and i5, I would personally buy the i3 for the uses you've outlined.

The A6 is the slowest of them all, and since the intel CPUs have HD onboard graphics, that should be perfectly fine for internet games etc. I always recommend the best CPU on a laptop. That said, if she actually wants to run actual video games (lol ones that you buy) out of the three you have chosen the A6 would be best, but I wouldn't recommend either of them for this purpose.

Finally, I agree with amuffin, let us know your budget and we can help choosing a good laptop, dell is probably not the best place to buy one.

Link us to the three laptops also

 

[yusonoz]

I really would stay away from Dell, they're junk and when something goes wrong (and trust me it will especially with a Dell) good luck with thier customer service. Expect to be on the phone for atleast 4 hours if not more. I would recommend looking at other companies like Acer, Apple, HP and Asus.

http://elvispicasso.org/images2010/100128.jpg

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You are right. I dont know if you noticed that I stated to someone else that I have had horrible experience with Dell customer service. One the phone 4 hours is a piece of cake compared to how long they kept me on the phone trying to talk me through fixing my computer and I couldnt understand one word they were saying. And I paid for the 4 year warranty that covers everything even water spills on the keyboard.

 

[yusonoz]

here, I used these three sites with benchmarks to determine the relative CPU speeds between the three you have chosen:

A6: http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-A-Series-A6-3400M-Notebook-Processor.55753.0.html

i3: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i3-2330M-Notebook-Processor.52200.0.html

i5: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i5-2430M-Notebook-Processor.53435.0.html

Result: i5 > i3 > A6
Based on the above, I would assume there would be a definite noticeable difference in moving from the A6 to the i5, and probably not much between the i3 and i5, I would personally buy the i3 for the uses you've outlined.

The A6 is the slowest of them all, and since the intel CPUs have HD onboard graphics, that should be perfectly fine for internet games etc. I always recommend the best CPU on a laptop. That said, if she actually wants to run actual video games (lol ones that you buy) out of the three you have chosen the A6 would be best, but I wouldn't recommend either of them for this purpose.

Finally, I agree with amuffin, let us know your budget and we can help choosing a good laptop, dell is probably not the best place to buy one.

Link us to the three laptops also

Thank You,

I dont want to go over $600 if possible but I do understand I get what I pay for. I dont want to be cheap and end up having to replace it in a year or so. My two older girls got Dell's their senior year and now they want new laptops and its barely been two years. They chose Dell for the look (colors pink & lime green) and I dont want to get caught up in a cute laptop thats junk...AKA Dell

 

[yusonoz]

do you agree with RDS1220 recommendation for laptops to purchase Acer, Apple, HP and Asus?

 

[yusonoz]

Hey, what is your budget though? We could probably suggest a much better laptop than the ones you have choosen.

I wanted to stay within the range of $600-$700 if possible. I was told to stay away from the shopping channels even though they offer a lot of software with the computer.

 

[amirp]

$600 is perfectly fine for a good laptop, laptops are much cheaper and faster than they used to be, I bought a i3 dual core for my mom, and for daily tasks (internet, word etc.) it feels just a fast as my 1000 dollar desktop.

what stores do you have near you? And Acep, HP, Asus, these are all good. My recommendation is to just buy the laptop from store like futureshop and if you want to buy their warranty or replacement plan. Apple is a completely different operating system, and for 600 you wont be able to buy Apple, they like overpricing their laptops which are no faster than PC laptops.

You dont need any extra software, most of it is junk anyways, really all you need is office and they all come with windows.

So im checking the bestbuy website (.ca since im in toronto) there are many laptops to choose from with the i3-2xxx generation CPU, from 450 - 500 and then there are i5-2xxx generations from 550 - 700, so it is possible to buy a good laptop.

 

[yusonoz]

Thank you, There is a bestbuy in walking distance and most stores deliver and are offering delivery by xmas. Im near most stores. Walmart, meijer, staples, office depot even the apple store.

 

[amirp]

so apparently prices in US are much better than Canada, im checking out the best buy website right now for laptops 15 - 16 inches (a fairly good size) you can get 14 inch ones as well... really this should be dependent on what your daughters want.

you can get a laptop with a 2nd gen i5 processor like any of these for $450:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=cabcat0500000%23%23-1%23%23-1~~cabcat0502000%23%23-1%23%23-1~~cpcmcat247400050000%23%23-1%23%23-1~~f551%7C%7C496e74656c26233137343b~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~f534%7C%7C31352671756f743b202d2031362671756f743b~~nf546%7C%7C496e74656c26233137343b20326e642047656e65726174696f6e20436f726526233135333b206935&list=y&nrp=15&sc=abComputerSP&ks=960&usc=abcat0500000&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&list=y&iht=n&st=processingtime%3A%3E1900-01-01

Any of those would be pretty good, such as this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+/+15.6%26%2334%3B+Display+/+4GB+Memory+-+Matte+Brown+Suit/3678035.p?id=1218426408033&skuId=3678035

or you could even get ones with 2nd gen i3 processors, but they arent that much cheaper than the i5 ones.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=cabcat0500000%23%23-1%23%23-1~~cabcat0502000%23%23-1%23%23-1~~cpcmcat247400050000%23%23-1%23%23-1~~f551%7C%7C496e74656c26233137343b~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~f546%7C%7C496e74656c26233137343b20326e642047656e65726174696f6e20436f726526233135333b206933&list=y&nrp=15&sc=abComputerSP&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&usc=abcat0500000&st=processingtime%3A%3E1900-01-01

Feature wise they are all fairly similar, at this point I would say the difference between them would be preference of colour, keyboard, screen size, brand etc. but all of those will be fast, especially the i5s. Have your daughter look at them in store, see if it is comfortable and if the screen is bright/good quality and then choose one.


So you dont need to spend 600-700 at all especially not for a school/internet laptop

 

[amuffin]

With ~$600 you could get a core i7 laptop!

 

[hyperreader]

actually , he could get one with better graphics, he doesnt need core i7.

 

[rds1220]

I would say look at HP. We have an HP dm4-2070us and have had zero problems with it. It has a core I5 and I'm not sure what kind of graphics. Anyway we are very happy with it and from our expirence I would recommend HP to people.

 

[nforce4max]

Graphics wise there is no competition for AMD apu based laptops when integrated graphics and general battery life are important factors. Intel laptops are in general faster in tasks that only or mostly focus on the cpu but when it comes to graphics even the most expensive Intel laptops using intel HD graphics struggle to get playable frame rates at decent settings. AMD on the other hand has rather decent integrated graphics and some around $600 but sometimes less have a discrete gpu as well so there is crossfire. Performance in games is Very nice and Got a AMD Llano laptop my self. Also they can be undervolted/underclocked to save on battery and run much cooler. Mobile Llano is multiplier unlocked unlike the desktop version with the exception of only K versions. The A6 is ok but not great and their clocks are very low so they lose to Intel a lot for the exception of gaming. You can overclock them to around 2-2.4ghz without too much risk for the laptop. I got a A8 3530mx and am very lucky that it is a very good sample so I able to overclock to 3ghz without much of increase in voltage.

For changing multiplier and voltage use K10stat.

 

[nforce4max]

I would say look at HP. We have an HP dm4-2070us and have had zero problems with it. It has a core I5 and I'm not sure what kind of graphics. Anyway we are very happy with it and from our expirence I would recommend HP to people.

I got a HP G6 and they upgrade fairly easily up to A8 without to much trouble. Light weight, comfortable to use, runs cool, doesn't sound like a turbo charger, and they are cheap.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

I agree with Rds1220, I have had some good success with HP products but I have also done well with Toshiba and Asus products. The best advice that I can given anyone when looking for a new laptop is really sit down and look at how you can get the most value from it.

A couple years ago I was looking to get a new laptop and was thinking that I would get a larger laptop because I do game a lot. As a really looked it I found that I have a great desktop that would be impossible to get the performance from in a laptop but with me heading back to school I knew that I would like to take my laptop with me but most of the time. In the end I made up my mind to go with a smaller 13" or 14" laptop and I have loved it ever since.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[amirp]

you can overclock laptops these days? What about the warranties, they are voided right?

I agree with you nforce, but this is for non-gamers, my recommendation stays with the i5