Processor question

RJHNY1

Member
Jan 28, 2002
172
0
0
I'm looking to get a mid-range laptop, in the $500-$600 range. My strength isn't knowing what's a good hardware specification. Obviously, 8 GB of RAM and 1 TB of hard drive space is the norm these days. I know that for the hard drive, you typically want to get 7200 rpm and you want to do better than 1366/768 for the computer display.

But since there's so many processors out there, I'm having a hard time understanding what's good or junk. Can any of you provide me with some tips so when I'm scouring laptop deals, I know if it's a good deal for the price?

For instance, Groupon has the refurbished HP ENVY dv7-7333cl Quad-Core AMD A10 17.3" Laptop for $430 with free shipping. Features Beats Audio sound and weighs 6.94 lbs.

Specs: http://www.groupon.com/pages/gg-1-hp-envy-dv7-7333cl-notebook-1

To me, everything seems good. But to the trained eye of many here, are these good parts and a good price?

Thank you!
 
Last edited:

RJHNY1

Member
Jan 28, 2002
172
0
0
Casual use...not for gaming. Surfing the internet, using Microsoft Word, watch netflix, stuff like that.
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
Any mainstream CPU is fine in that case (i.e. not Intel Atom or AMD E-series). Generally speaking a Haswell (4000 series) will get better battery life than an AMD A-series but they also cost more.
 

RJHNY1

Member
Jan 28, 2002
172
0
0
Do you think it's fast enough that in 2-3 years, it'll still be a good speed? I don't want to buy it and then in a year, it's slow.

Also, do you feel it's a good deal or should I be patient and wait for a better deal?

Thank you.
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
Yank that spinning platter HD like it's a bad tooth...
:colbert: Laptop with SSD = Speedy Goodness!
 

bononos

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2011
3,911
172
106
Do you think it's fast enough that in 2-3 years, it'll still be a good speed? I don't want to buy it and then in a year, it's slow.

Also, do you feel it's a good deal or should I be patient and wait for a better deal?

Thank you.

The cpu used in your OP is the A10-4600M which is quite fast and should be more than sufficient for normal usage in the medium term timeframe. There is the newer AMD Richland apu which was recently released and should be making its way into mobile products.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6979/2013-amd-elite-performance-apu-platform-mobile-richland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...sors#Sabine_-_.22Llano.22_.282011.2C_32_nm.29
I'm not up to date whether is a good bargain for a laptop in that price range.
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,552
10,171
126
Yank that spinning platter HD like it's a bad tooth...
:colbert: Laptop with SSD = Speedy Goodness!

YES!!!!

(Unfortunately, for an AMD E-series or C-series laptop / netbook, adding an SSD merely makes it bearable, rather than excruciating.)
 

RJHNY1

Member
Jan 28, 2002
172
0
0
Blain, I'm not sure what you're saying? You mean to take out that hard drive b/c of the 5400 rpm?

Blain, VirtualLarry...do you guys think this is a good deal or can I do better?
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
I wouldn't buy an HP, much less a refurbished HP.

The Lenovo Outlet is the place to hunt around.
Find what you want then scoot over to Newegg and buy a quality SSD for the laptop.
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
Do you think it's fast enough that in 2-3 years, it'll still be a good speed? I don't want to buy it and then in a year, it's slow.

Also, do you feel it's a good deal or should I be patient and wait for a better deal?

Thank you.

Computers don't really slow down over time as long as you don't change your workload and keep the OS maintained. In other words, don't install useless toolbars, etc.
 

Warsam71

Senior member
Jul 29, 2013
287
0
0
Computers don't really slow down over time as long as you don't change your workload and keep the OS maintained. In other words, don't install useless toolbars, etc.

Agreed. Keeping the OS, as well as drivers up to date is important. I've a few friends that barely update their systems and keep installing "those" toolbars and other web-based apps that sniff your system and quitely run in the background, taking up on resources and slowing down your PC