Solved! Need new computer- is this an upgrade

[wildthing_90]

Hello- first let me say this is a great community to be part of (always lurking).

I need a new laptop as my current hp probook is falling apart.

I want the Toshiba brand as I have always had a great experience with them. I use my computer heavily for ms office, internet, dragon naturally speaking, and will start to use it for web design and photoshop (prob cs4). Battery life is important as I need 5 hours on min setting (my probook has this). My current probook also has a 17" screen (I cannot have any smaller then 15" with a full number pad). Also the computer must be bought of staples.ca (gift cards).

these are my current specs:
Core 2 Duo P7370 2.0 Ghz
4Gb ram
32 bit windows t
ATI mobility Radeon HD 4300
5hr battery

my new laptop I would like to be an upgrade- but definitely more durable.

My main concern is- is a i5 430M better then my current processor?

This is the laptop I am considering-

http/www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=71%2C72%2C73%2C3817,17962&webid=860942&affixedcode=WW

2.26GHz/2.53GHz Intel Core i5 430M processor
4GB memory
320GB hard disk drive
DVD Super-Multi Double Layer Drive
15.6" HD LCD display
Windows 7 Professional 32/64bit with downgrade rights and media to Windows XP Professional
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5165 graphics card with 1GB dedicated memory
802.11 b/g/n Wireless LAN and Bluetooth v2.1+EDR
Integrated Webcam
Energy Star qualified
2-year limited warranty

I appreciate you help. thanks.

 

[Maziar]

Hello and welcome to the forums
Please fill the FAQ first
http/www.tomshardware.com/forum/50797-35-read-buying-laptop
And about your question,the answer is yes.i5 430M performs better than a C2D P7370

 

[wildthing_90]

1_What is your budget?

$1150 Max

2_What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?

no smaller then 15.6" and no bigger than 17"

3_What screen resolution do you want?

not really sure but i guess the best that i can afford

4_Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?

portable- but i can handle carrying 17"- what I carry now (HP ProBook)

5_How much battery life do you need?

min 3 hrs but that is really stretching it- 5 hrs is best (if I can buy an extended battery then I can afford it- as long as the computer isn't above 1150)

6_Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?

maybe- but business work is more important

7_What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.)

ms office, photoshop, web design, some minor video editing (home movies in the future)

8_How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?

250 min but 320 or higher prefered- but i have a bunch of externals- over 1.5 tb

9_If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.

www.staples.ca

ONLY STAPLES CANADA

10_How long do you want to keep your laptop?

3 yrs- but will have a 3 yr warrenty

11_What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?

DVD burner- hopefull lightscribe but not a must

12_Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.

Toshiba- always great experience from them-
HP- have a 7 month old Probook that's falling apart- not happy
DO NOT SUGGEST ACER OR ANY OF ACERS OTHER BRANDS- GATEWAY, EMACHINES, ETC- I NEED A RELIABLE COMPUTER.

13_What country do you live in?

canada


14_Please tell us any additional information if needed.

reliable note book



sorry for not filling this out earlier- forgot- thanks for being patient with me, i was just excited to make my first post.

 

[Maziar]

Well when i want to search in the site it asks for a Postal code

 

[wildthing_90]

Hmmmm, that's weird- it only asks me for a postal code when i go to look at the flyer. anyways- try l8n 2p1

 

[Maziar]

This store doesn't seem to have many options but since you mentioned that you only want to buy from this site,then this is a good choice
http/www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=71%2C72%2C73,3806&webid=853117&affixedcode=WW