Which laptop should I buy?

[MatthewDumler]

I am looking a for a light and cheap laptop to program on. I need it for my C++ college classes. I have narrowed my choices down to two 15.6" Dell Inspiron laptops running Windows 8.1:

3000 Series w/ Optical Drive at $380:
-5th Gen Intel i3-5005U, 3M Cache, 2.00 GHz CPU
-4GB Single Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (4GBx1)
-500GB 5400 rpm SATA HDD

5000 Series w/o Optical Drive at $600:
-5th Gen Intel i5-5200U, 3M Cache, up to 2.70 GHz CPU
-8GB 2 DIMM DDR3L 1600Mhz (2x4GB)
-1TB 5400 rpm SATA HDD

Somethings to know are: I will be almost exclusively use this to write my C++ programs, but I will also be learning Python and HTML soon. Other than that it will be used for Internet surfing, and basic school work or note taking.

Obviously, the 5000 is a great deal more expensive, but if it is really going to be worth my money I will be willing to put down the extra cash. I would instantly trade the 5000's ridiculous 1TB for an optical drive. I need, at most, 500GB, but what can you do?

Looking for all the advice possible, so everyone please chime in with your opinion!

 

[Tradesman1]

I'd want the i5 and more DRAM so would have to lean to the 5000

 

[velo3100]

I would go with the i5. Cpu is the most important thing in programming.