Good Laptop for the basics?

[Anthony Cater]

I only need a laptop for the basics such as watching HD videos, iTunes and browsing. Will this accomplish that task?

• 
  
• 
  
• 3GHz seventh-generation AMD A9-9420 dual-core APU processor with 1MB cache, up to 3.6GHz
• 15.6" diagonal HD SVA WLED-backlit touchscreen display with 1366x768 resolution
• 4GB DDR4 SDRAM
• 1TB 5400 RPM SATA hard drive
• DVD+/-RW drive
• 802.11ac

 

[edcoolio]

It absolutely will work for those things.

HOWEVER, I see you are probably going to end up paying about or over $400 for that HP.

I think there are better deals out there that will get you at least an SSD and/or 8GB RAM / higher resolution screen.

 

[JeffMD]

One thing to note about the AMD A9-9420, it uses the flawed AMD design of old where 2 execution units in a pod were refereed to as 2 cores. This CPU is actually a single pod with 2 execution units and 1 FPU. It is also using the quite old 28nm fabrication. Unless this was the cheapest laptop in the world, you can do better with an intel. A modern intel processor will give you atleast 2 REAL cores and a smaller fabrication producing less heat and using less power.

 

[NostaSeronx]

One thing to note about the AMD A9-9420, it uses the flawed AMD design of old where 2 execution units in a pod were refereed to as 2 cores. This CPU is actually a single pod with 2 execution units and 1 FPU. It is also using the quite old 28nm fabrication. Unless this was the cheapest laptop in the world, you can do better with an intel. A modern intel processor will give you atleast 2 REAL cores and a smaller fabrication producing less heat and using less power.

The design is no way flawed, it just isn't particularly modern. One module will provide two real cores. Two very limited cores... at least in current workloads. Also, the FPU in BD/PD is at least 1.75 and SR/XV is at least 1.5.

I only need a laptop for the basics such as watching HD videos, iTunes and browsing. Will this accomplish that task?

Yes, but not as well as something Intel or as cheap...

China-origin M3-7Y30s are good for sub-$500. Usually, are FHD(1920x1080), etc.
https://ark.intel.com/products/95449/Intel-Core-m3-7Y30-Processor-4M-Cache-2_60-GHz-
1 GHz to 2.6 GHz
4 MB L3 cache, AVX2(Full 256-bit capabilities), Speedshift, and 4.5W TDP. Supports QuickSync(KBLv) which has 10-bit VP9 support.
versus
A9-9420... 3 GHz to 3.6 GHz
1 MB L2 cache(No L3), AVX2(Half-rate 256-bit capabilities), no Speedshift, and 15W. Supports UVD/VCE which is not as good as QuickSync currently.

Ideally for the A9 part to become competitive to the m3, it would need at least to run at 5.2 GHz. Except, it will never beat the M3 with just that alone.

If you want a laptop that will do anything for at least 4 years... Kaby Lake-R is where it as at.
https://ark.intel.com/products/124967/Intel-Core-i5-8250U-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_40-GHz

Get something between the $599~$699 mark with a 1080p screen you are good.

 

[JeffMD]

nosta, sorry, it isn't flawed in the design of like 4 pod processors and such where you are afforded gobs of execution units, but in a case like this it is ALMOST as bad as sticking you with a single core cpu. 2 full cores should be the bare minimum and I really see no reason why amd couldn't have gone with 2 pods. I know I was surprised to see the likes of the j3455 actually have 4 real cores for a bottom line budget cpu.

 

[MarkizSchnitzel]

HD on a 15.6 is not something i would ever want to use, ever.

 

[VirtualLarry]

HD on a 15.6 is not something i would ever want to use, ever.

It is, or has been, unfortunately, quite common among budget 15.6" laptops.

I am quite hopeful that for the future, 1080P laptops become the norm.

 

[mxnerd]

I'm using an HP 17" 1600 x 900 laptop as desktop replacement, watching HD videos without problem, very comfortable.