What can I get for $420

[Hero11]

alright so I can only spend $420 on a laptop and I do play games ie Civ 5, mount and blade, ect... and was wondering if there was a decent laptop for the price for what I want it to do such as play games do my college work and play videos. I hate touchscreen fyi

 

[jaguarskx]

You have two choices at your local Besybuy.

17.3" HP Pavilion 17-e019dx = $400
Dual Core Intel Haswell generation Core i3 CPU
Integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics core
1600x900 resolution

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/pavilion-17-3-laptop-4gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive/2854029.p;jsessionid=7A470FDBACFBFA35AE7DC7A4D90D1252.bbolsp-app03-197?id=1219079079760&skuId=2854029&st=hp%2017.3%22%20laptop&cp=1&lp=1


17.3" HP Pavilion 17-e016dx = $400
Quad core AMD Richland generation A8-5550m APU
Integrated Radeon HD 8550g graphics core
1600x900 resolution

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/pavilion-17-3-laptop-4gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive/2287004.p?id=1219071221794&skuId=2287004&st=hp%2017.3%22%20laptop&cp=1&lp=2


Exactly the same laptop with different CPU.

The Intel Core i3 runs at 2.4GHz. The AMD A8 runs at 2.1GHz, but can Turbo Core (auto overclock) up to 3.1GHz when only one core is used; lower if more cores are used. At the same clockspeed the Core i3 is probably 30% - 35% more powerful than the AMD A8 APU. That means the Core i3 would be about equivalent to an AMD APU at 3.1GHz - 3.2GHz. As stated in the description the Core i3 has two cores, while the A8 APU has 4 cores. However, most games only use 2 cores.

The Intel HD 4600 graphics core (GPU) is considered more powerful than the Radeon HD 8550g. However, this is only an estimate because there are no benchmarks for the Radeon HD 8550g, but there are benchmarks for the Intel HD 4600. Below is a link which shows the Intel HD 4600 is considered less power than the Radeon HD 8610g (2nd most powerful AMD graphics core), but more powerful than the Radeon HD 8550g. Also included is the Radeon HD 7660g which is the most powerful Trinity (previous) generation AMD APU.

Benchmarks


Generally speaking, many comparisons have shown that the laptop with a more powerful GPU + weaker CPU provides better performance than a laptop with a weaker GPU + more powerful CPU.

 

[Hero11]

Thank you

 

[RoxanneGates]

Thanks for the fast feedback.

So I'm guessing that you're not fan of the new Chromebook? I admit it, I'm a victim of flashy marketing. They make it sound so easy to use and free from issues.

I have a 17" HP now and have really loved it. But, it's older and very heavy. I was trying to go with a light 15", but if the newer 17" HP is a lot lighter, then I would love to keep a big screen.

Think I will head over to Best Buy to see it in person. Thanks, and please feel free to send me more info.

You have two choices at your local Besybuy.

17.3" HP Pavilion 17-e019dx = $400
Dual Core Intel Haswell generation Core i3 CPU
Integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics core
1600x900 resolution

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/pavilion-17-3-laptop-4gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive/2854029.p;jsessionid=7A470FDBACFBFA35AE7DC7A4D90D1252.bbolsp-app03-197?id=1219079079760&skuId=2854029&st=hp%2017.3%22%20laptop&cp=1&lp=1


17.3" HP Pavilion 17-e016dx = $400
Quad core AMD Richland generation A8-5550m APU
Integrated Radeon HD 8550g graphics core
1600x900 resolution

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/pavilion-17-3-laptop-4gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive/2287004.p?id=1219071221794&skuId=2287004&st=hp%2017.3%22%20laptop&cp=1&lp=2


Exactly the same laptop with different CPU.

The Intel Core i3 runs at 2.4GHz. The AMD A8 runs at 2.1GHz, but can Turbo Core (auto overclock) up to 3.1GHz when only one core is used; lower if more cores are used. At the same clockspeed the Core i3 is probably 30% - 35% more powerful than the AMD A8 APU. That means the Core i3 would be about equivalent to an AMD APU at 3.1GHz - 3.2GHz. As stated in the description the Core i3 has two cores, while the A8 APU has 4 cores. However, most games only use 2 cores.

The Intel HD 4600 graphics core (GPU) is considered more powerful than the Radeon HD 8550g. However, this is only an estimate because there are no benchmarks for the Radeon HD 8550g, but there are benchmarks for the Intel HD 4600. Below is a link which shows the Intel HD 4600 is considered less power than the Radeon HD 8610g (2nd most powerful AMD graphics core), but more powerful than the Radeon HD 8550g. Also included is the Radeon HD 7660g which is the most powerful Trinity (previous) generation AMD APU.

Benchmarks


Generally speaking, many comparisons have shown that the laptop with a more powerful GPU + weaker CPU provides better performance than a laptop with a weaker GPU + more powerful CPU.

 

[jaguarskx]

I'm not a fan off Chromebooks because they seem very limited based on what I have read. I have never used one. Google's Android tablets are great, but not their chromebooks at least not to me with some of the limitations. Cloud storage might seem great, but lack of an internet connection means you cannot access your data unless it the chromebook has built in storage.

Looking back at the links I provided, it does not seem they are carried in the stores. Instead it appears when you place an order for it, the laptop will be shipped to the store so that you can pick it up. Still it would be worth going to BestBuy just to see what they have available and you can also ask if you can return a laptop within 15 days of purchase for a refund without having to pay a restocking fee.