Can you help me chose laptop for my daughter - I've done lots of research but got to my final 3 and I am stumped

[DebbsC]

Hi guys typical Mum here researching a new laptop for my 16 year old. I've I'd like a HP and have drilled down to 3 options.
Expected use - Internet, social media, online videos - youtube etc. Creating Documents presentations etc on microsoft office. Downloading/streaming films - netflix. Listening to music - these likely to be simultaneously. She likes to play Sims (hence the optical drive). Uses Skyppe.
1) http/store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/Product.aspx?id=K1W67EA&opt=ABU&sel=PCNB
or
2) http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/hp-laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/703_7006_70006_16_ba00004565-bv00299348-ba00002522-bv00169428-ba00002920-bv00307958/xx_xx_xx_xx_4-5-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-18-19-20-21-criteria.html
or
3) http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/hp-15-g092sa-15-6-laptop-black-10011511-pdt.html#cat-0

Max budget is £400.
The first one only has 4GB RAM and uses Intel Pent N3540, intel HD Graphics and optical drive - £299 which seems very cheap. Will only having 4GB make a lot of difference?
The second one has Intel Dual Core i5 processor and only 6GB - Doesn't appear to have any Graphics £399
The third one has 8GB & AMD Quad Core A8 6410 processor - so it has some graphics £349 - overall I'm a bit reluctant about the AMD CPU (probably only because I've heard of Intel and hadn't heard of AMD before I started researching)
Any thoughts on the best to choose would be extremely welcome.
Thanks

 

[APassingMe]

Out of those the 3rd option is probably the best. The CPU is slower but it doesn't look like you're using it that much anyway, also it has the most RAM and best GPU of the 3 you've listed.

If you get a 32bit OS, 4gigs of RAM is fine, otherwise try for 8 or more.... by that reasoning number 1 isn't even an option and 2 is stretching it anyway.

Beyond that, if you can wait till Window 10 comes out next year then I would wait. It will probably be the 2nd half of the year though.

 

[DebbsC]

Thanks unfortunately waiting isn't an option this close to christmas
How much slower is the AMD CPU - are we talking go off and make a cuppa or seconds?

 

[APassingMe]

For what you're doing... I doubt you would notice any speed difference at all. If you max the i5 and the AMD CPU out and compare them there's a difference of about 20% (I'm guessing because I couldn't find any comparable benchmarks) in favor of the i5. The i5 is the better CPU, there's no doubt there but both provide more processing power than what you'll use and the AMD has a considerably better GPU and a lower price.

 

[DebbsC]

Thanks thats really helpful I did look on CPU Boss but to be honest with no technical knowledge to speak of I was none the wiser. Really think there should be somewhere for techno dummies like me just to input exactly what we want to do on a laptop and then miraculously come up with recomendations.
Thanks again
Debbie

 

[APassingMe]

That would be nice... but there's probably just too many different models out there to do that easily. CPU Boss often skips benchmarks so.... it's not always as useful as could be desired anyway. Good luck.

 

[iamlegend]

2nd is the best choice.

 

[DebbsC]

Will 2 do the things she wants easily?
And just to make my decision a little harder this morning i found this
http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n268sa-15-6-laptop-black-silver-21862441-pdt.html#cat-0
at £429 which appears to be a bargain - in fact I was about to buy it when I had notification of your answer. What do you think?
Deb

 

[iamlegend]

The new PC has an A10 5000 series APU. This is usually paired with powerful Graphics card and good for gaming. The number 2 above has an i5 4000 series which is way better for computing (internet, FB, movies).

I own an AMD Gaming laptop with A10 4000 series.

I suggest the number 2 if your daughter will not play games like Battlefield 4.

lololol

 

[rmark45matsu]

I would personally pick,

http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n268sa-15-6-laptop-black-silver-21862441-pdt.html#cat-0

Cpu is plenty for what your daughter is going to do, and I always find myself using more then Intel HD Graphics 4400 can handle (The i5 laptop). Which is exactly what this A10 is providing, more graphical horsepower. Overall a better experience, at least in my opinion.

 

[iamlegend]

If the A10 will have a discrete GPU, then I will agree with you. ^^

 

[rmark45matsu]

She will not need to add a discrete gpu. The A10 is plenty, for everything her daughter is going to do, even light gaming.

 

[DebbsC]

It says the Graphics card is
AMD Radeon HD 8610G / 8670M Dual GPU (2 GB DDR3)
Any help?
Deb

 

[rmark45matsu]

AMD Radeon HD 8610G is what's built into the APU. While the 8670M Dual GPU is an entry level graphics card. In this case they are cross-fired together and distribute the work load between the two, giving even better graphic performance. Simply put, there's two GPU's in the computer.

 

[DebbsC]

That sounds efficient - thats good then right?. (Yes I really am a "know nowt")
Deb

 

[rmark45matsu]

Yes, that's very good. That laptop is also a very good deal, one thing to note is the more powerful of a laptop you have, typically the more power it'll draw which results in worse battery life.

 

[DebbsC]

Thanks sooooo much. She isn't likely to use it on battery alone very often - it will be mostly plugged in so thats not a worry.
I just want to get her something that will perform as her tyical use of it develops/changes,
Deb

 

[rmark45matsu]

No problem, Happy Holidays.

 

[DebbsC]

Well I've bought it - so excited now and can't wait to give it to her.
Thanks to you all for being kind enough to help me - better watch out for me stalking you for help if we run into any difficulties - which will more than likely be user related LOL
Deb

 

[iamlegend]

Yeah that was I mean if it was paired with discrete GPU and it is.

For reference this is may laptop specs.

A10 4600m with HD 7970m (this is good for gaming).

For your daughter laptop that is higher specs than mine so it will also good for gaming. The drawbacks are the heat output of laptops are great so be sure to have a good cooling or don`t ever use the laptop while in bed, or put clothes under it.