Please help with buying laptop!

[jazztalker]

I'm looking at 2 identical builds, but I'm back and forth between two different things, so hopefully I can get some advice. I'll be using this for internet browsing, watching movies (downloaded and streaming), listening to music, email, Office, etc. No gaming and no video editing.

Relevant specs:

i5-3210
750 HDD/7200 RPM
1920x1080 resolution matte screen
Standard dvd drive

For the same price I can either do 8 GB RAM and the intel 4000 graphics or 6 GB RAM and the Nvidia GeForce GT 630M. Based on how I'd be using it, would there be a benefit to one pair versus the other? I'm at the top of my budget, so it's one or the other. The other option would be going with the 1366x768 display and then I could do both, but I think the higher resolution monitor would be better, wouldn't it?

Thanks!

 

[k1114]

http/www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-Pavilion/A3H21AV Link to the laptop instead of the customization link.
Here's the intel version.
http/www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-Pavilion/C0L24AV?HP-Pavilion-dv6t-7000-Entertainment-Notebook-PC

 

[jazztalker]

Yeah, that's the model (the Intel version) I was considering. I'm thinking i might hold off for awhile, for what I'd use it for I'm not sure $800 is money well spent. Originally I was going to get an Asus at best buy for a little under $500 (until the sales guy suggested it might be made with lesser quality components), and suddenly my imagination ran away with my credit card.

Here's the Asus if anyone has an opinion. I'd buy more ram, but thought this might be a decent alternative otherwise.

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+15.6%26%2334%3B+Laptop+-+4GB+Memory+-+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Matte+Light+Covellite+Hairline/5720766.p?id=1218686491955&skuId=5720766

 

[blazorthon]

Asus usually uses very high quality hardware. Looking at that computer, I don't think that it's made of poor components, but I admit that I'm not absolutely sure. That BestBuy guy probably just wanted to get you to spend more money.

 

[jazztalker]

Those thoughts definitely crossed my mind, especially your last point.

 

[jazztalker]

Another question popped up - if I go with the 1920x 1080, would the intel 4000 be enough for GPU, or would I almost have to go with something dedicated?

 

[blazorthon]

The HD 4000 is plenty so long as you're not gaming on it or relying on other high-end GPGPU-accelerated tasks.

 

[jazztalker]

Nope, just watching Netflix, YouTube, movies in HD, etc. Thanks!

 

[blazorthon]

Glad to help.