I want/need a new laptop!

Hi Guy's, some of these questions are really basic, sorry if they annoy anyone

I appreciate you get a lot of these questions coming up. Basically I'm trying to find out how worthwhile it would be spending an extra £250 on the Lenovo laptop which is £599. The HP one is £349. They are both 2 in 1 convertible laptops/tablets which is the direction I want to go in. 

I've copied the template as advised in the sticky thread

They are both 11.6". I'm going to include the direct links to PC World but I don't expect you to open the links necessarily so I'll highlight the main differences in spec (in terms of what catches my eye)

I'd also love some feedback on........

....how good the Lenovo processor is as I can't find a "Benchmark" score for it so I can compare with other processors.

.... Also I've never had a SSD hard drive... do you think I'll notice a difference in performance/speed if I had one?

......Also I was wondering if the higher resolution on the Lenovo will be obvious or insignificant?

....... If I want Windows 10 is it better to get a laptop with it pre-installed or does it make no difference and I can just download Windows 10 as an upgrade over Windows 8.1

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to look at this. I have tried reading around on some of these issues before posting

Processor

Lenovo, Intel® Core™ m3-6Y30 (I really want to know if this processor is significantly better than the one below), is the fact this processor is capable of "hyper-threading" of real relevance?

HP, Intel® Pentium® Processor N3700

Ram

Lenovo, 8GB, (Do you think this extra 4GB of Ram will be of any great benefit to me?)

HP, 4GB, 

Storage

Lenovo, 128 SSD   (Do people notice a significant improvement in speed/performance with SSD?)

HP,1 TB HDD, 5400 rpm

Resolution

Lenovo, 1920 x 1080  (Do people think the higher resolution is worth paying for?)

HP, 1366 x 768

OS

Lenovo, windows 10 pre-installed     (Shall I only go for Windows 10 pre-installed or does it not make much difference who installs?)

HP, windows 8.1 with free upgrade to windows 10

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-yoga-700-11-6-2-in-1-orange-10137909-pdt.html

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-x360-11-k057na-11-6-2-in-1-red-10132860-pdt.html

Although I don't use my laptop/tablet for many different tasks and programmes, the ones I do use it for are quite lengthy in terms of time. Basically I probably spend a minimum of 3 hrs a day on it, and more at the weekends (MS Word, Internet, Films, E-mail)

Laptop or Desktop?

2 in 1 laptop/tablet

My budget for the new computer is: 

£349 to £599

What are the primary uses for this computer (IE: mail, web browsing, programming, games, etc)? 
E-mail, Microsoft Word, Web browsing including streaming films. I'm a full time student and spend a lot of time using the laptop both for pleasure and study

What software do you intend on using on the computer? 
Nothing outside the ordinary. MS Office mostly

Do you play games? If so, what type of games? 
No

Do you tend to have a lot of programs running at the same time, or do you close every program when you are done using it? 
Not really

Do you store a lot of pictures or music on the computer?
No

Will you be overclocking?
???
Location for online shopping/shipment/prices?
London, UK

How many monitors are you planning to use?
Just the one it comes with 

Do you need peripherals? OS?
Not sure

Any particular reason why you are upgrading?

To go from a plain laptop to a 2 in 1 laptop/tablet and to have something that runs faster than my current Lenovo laptop which is about 3 years old.

Edited by ajones2703, 23 November 2015 - 01:00 PM.

...and purchase two usb external HDs, get a good free or fee backup/restore program, consider making at least bi-monthly backups onto each of the two ext HDs.  As a student, you do not want to lose your OS or your data.  One idea:  OS partition and data partition on your internal HD.

I am not familiar with lenova at all.  Bear in mind that win 10 is resource intensive. Be shure you meet at least minimum system requirements to run win 10. Better is better performance. MIN.1 GHZ processor and 4GB memory the HDD on the HP is much bigger capacity but is slower than the ssd.  The ssd is sturdier and can survive being dropped a lot better than the HDD.

As mentioned by roland you do need to keep regular back ups to an external drive for safety.

The purpose of a back up is just that. Back up your data remove the drive put in a safe place. Do not operate your system off of the back up drive.  Use the built in drive for that.  As for 10 being installed or upgraded to is not really that much difference other than eliminateing some of the possibility of upgradeing problems.  I say that because even if it is already installed win 10 will need to be updated anyhow.  The original release has already become out of date.  Several versions updates will be needed.

For myself, I would definitely go with the HP because it *doesn't* have a SSD.

Take a look at how much you have stored on your current hard disc.  If you're like most people these days, and I'm not talking "power users" or people with massive music and/or photo libraries, you're very likely to have more than 128GB.  On my own little laptop here I have 248GB, which includes the OS, but it's been years since 128GB would be sufficient storage for my purposes.

The HP has what looks to be a better processor and it has the big plus of having 2 USB 3.0 ports rather than one.

One drawback may be the off-charger battery life.  I'd look at reviews out there to see what people have to say about how long each machine is able to go on working without recharging the battery.

It is likely that 4GB of RAM will be more than enough unless you do a lot of processor and memory intensive activities like online gaming or using software that's doing 3D rendering and rotating those objects.

It's always worth a spending a little extra to get yourself an external USB backup drive, then using it!!

I totally agree with Britechguy except for one thing Lenovo Intel Core m3-6Y30 Blows the HP Intel Pentium Processor N3700 out off the water. The N3700 is only benchmarking at 1824 where the m3-6Y30 is actually roughly the equivalent of a 5^th generation Intel Core i3-5010U which benchmarks at 3045. I personally would not buy either one of them. They both have their disadvantages. Keep looking prices will be falling for the holidays You can do better with your budget.

Just an opinion. Good Luck

Thanks for your feedback guys. I agree about the backing up issues.  Brian, I must be a rare breed. I've had my current laptop for a few years and currently am only using 53 GB of the hard-drive. In fact, I'm 40 years old and have had a combination of laptops/desktops for about 15 years and have never come even close to having 100GB of usage on a hard drive. 

Do you think the HP processor is better? There's no way I want to spend £599 on a laptop that's processor is beaten by a £350 laptop. 

In light of me being highly likely to not need anything over 80GB hard drive space, does that change your recommendation or feedback at all? What do you reckon about the screen resolution difference? Lenovo, 1920 x 1080  (Do people think the higher resolution is worth paying for?)

HP, 1366 x 768

I totally agree with Britechguy except for one thing Lenovo Intel Core m3-6Y30 Blows the HP Intel Pentium Processor N3700 out off the water. The N3700 is only benchmarking at 1824 where the m3-6Y30 is actually roughly the equivalent of a 5^th generation Intel Core i3-5010U which benchmarks at 3045. I personally would not buy either one of them. They both have their disadvantages. Keep looking prices will be falling for the holidays You can do better with your budget.

 

Just an opinion. Good Luck

Thanks loads for your feedback, appreciate it, especially the feedback about processor. I've just posted that I don't need much hard disk space, does this change your recommendation at all? What is it about them that makes you want to pass on both of them? Is it that they are laptop/tablet dual functioning? 

  I must have been typing about the processor at the same time as you. No way the Lenovo pocessor is far better.

 

I totally agree with Britechguy except for one thing Lenovo Intel Core m3-6Y30 Blows the HP Intel Pentium Processor N3700 out off the water. The N3700 is only benchmarking at 1824 where the m3-6Y30 is actually roughly the equivalent of a 5^th generation Intel Core i3-5010U which benchmarks at 3045. I personally would not buy either one of them. They both have their disadvantages. Keep looking prices will be falling for the holidays You can do better with your budget.

 

Just an opinion. Good Luck

Thanks loads for your feedback, appreciate it, especially the feedback about processor. I've just posted that I don't need much hard disk space, does this change your recommendation at all? What is it about them that makes you want to pass on both of them? Is it that they are laptop/tablet dual functioning? 

 

Honestly it was what Britechguy said abouth the storage space and I feel the same way, but it sounds as it's not a problem for you. There is always the cloud and external storage if you need it. Other than that the Lenovo is not a bad deal.

I guess it depends on what you're looking for/at as far as a processor:  side-by-side comparison at cpu-world

Given the requirements previously described, including cost consciousness, and completely ignoring disc storage, I stick with my original opinion.  Others, of course, may differ.  

 

I guess it depends on what you're looking for/at as far as a processor:  side-by-side comparison at cpu-world

 

Given the requirements previously described, including cost consciousness, and completely ignoring disc storage, I stick with my original opinion.  Others, of course, may differ.  

 

   To think is to differ.

      ~ Clarence Darrow

 

100% agree with the quote, But if you look at the Intel M3-6Y30 vs even an Core i5 4300U and then compare the Core i5 4300U vs n3700 you can see It will outperform it across the board.

In reading the original post so quickly I actually thought the Lenovo was the cheaper of the two. Now I stick to my original statement. I would probably keep looking for a better deal especially with the Holidays approaching.

I don't know if you want something that detaches or folds all the way back or not but this is a good deal if you can get Argos to ship to you. This is what I'm thinking about buying maybe not the exact same model.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4245672.htm

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i3-5010U+%40+2.10GHz

Edit : watching the video on the Argo's site makes me want to run out and get one. Those are absolutley nice. I have the B&o speakers on my new HP laptop and the sound is outstanding.

Edited by sAyer, 24 November 2015 - 01:05 AM.

Thanks for all the responses guys and I have an Argos less than a mile from where I live! I agree about the HP in the link you gave me. Looks good.

So the HP is £450 and I've found another Lenovo at £500

What do people think in the £450 HP versus £500 Lenovo?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4245672.htm

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-yoga-3-11-6-2-in-1-orange-10135218-pdt.html

Just to remind you I'm looking for a 2 in 1 lapop/tablet that folds right back 360 degrees rather than a detachable one, and I don't need more than 128GB storage (I know that must seem weird but it's true!)

For my eyes the extra £50 for the Lenovo brings me more RAM, better PROCESSOR, higher RESOLUTION screen and a faster Hard-drive......

The HP one is 13.3" and the Lenovo 11.6"   I'm happy with 11.6" as a minimum size as this machine will be travelling with me to Univesity and back each day

Edited by ajones2703, 24 November 2015 - 03:45 AM.

I just reNoticed that you mentioned MS Office, if you're including usage of Power Point, you might want to invest in a HD 500GB-1TB, because high-quality PP material you generate can surprise you as to how much byte-space such will need; and don't forget that many programs run many temp files during an on-going project.

Addendum:  based on Britechguy's post, I'm boosting my HD suggestion to: 1TB-2TB.  If larger than 2TB, make sure the desired backup/restore/data recovery programs can work effectively and efficients with such large HDs.

Edited by RolandJS, 24 November 2015 - 12:58 PM.

An 11 inch screen is mighty small for doing extended work in any sort of "information dense" screen.

I cannot emphasize enough, again, that if you're going to be using this machine extensively for creating content for your university courses you will regret, in very short order, going with a small hard drive (whether that be SSD or conventional).  I would not even consider anything with less than 500GB, and these days it's hard to find anything but the lowest of the low end machines that have conventional drives smaller than that.

As far as processors go, my advice to you would be to go to the store and play with the computers you're considering before making a purchase.  In the many years I've been giving purchasing advice, particularly in the context where cost really is a factor, I find that people get sucked into the idea that they "need" the best processor available.  This generally is not true if they're not using the machine for very processor intensive activities.  So called "crappy" processors can easily handle you web browsing, having documents open for editing, and having an e-mail client all open at the same time.  Bring up task manager and take a look at that window at random times during the day as you're doing your work on your current machine.  I'll bet you'll be surprised at how low your CPU usage generally is (with the occasional spike).  These days if I have a choice between a decent processor with tons of RAM and a high-end processor with less RAM I'll most often go for the former.  I've also found that quad-core processors, even those that are "slower" in benchmarking, often perform much better in actual use than their dual-core "faster" competitors.

If you know anyone personally who has one of the machines your considering, and they'd grant you an hour to an afternoon on it to do what you typically do, take that.  I only wish "test driving" a computer were as conventional a part of the acquisition process as it is for cars.  It would prevent tons of wasted money and buyer's remorse.

An 11 inch screen is mighty small for doing extended work in any sort of "information dense" screen.

 

I cannot emphasize enough, again, that if you're going to be using this machine extensively for creating content for your university courses you will regret, in very short order, going with a small hard drive (whether that be SSD or conventional).  I would not even consider anything with less than 500GB, and these days it's hard to find anything but the lowest of the low end machines that have conventional drives smaller than that.

 

As far as processors go, my advice to you would be to go to the store and play with the computers you're considering before making a purchase.  In the many years I've been giving purchasing advice, particularly in the context where cost really is a factor, I find that people get sucked into the idea that they "need" the best processor available.  This generally is not true if they're not using the machine for very processor intensive activities.  So called "crappy" processors can easily handle you web browsing, having documents open for editing, and having an e-mail client all open at the same time.  Bring up task manager and take a look at that window at random times during the day as you're doing your work on your current machine.  I'll bet you'll be surprised at how low your CPU usage generally is (with the occasional spike).  These days if I have a choice between a decent processor with tons of RAM and a high-end processor with less RAM I'll most often go for the former.  I've also found that quad-core processors, even those that are "slower" in benchmarking, often perform much better in actual use than their dual-core "faster" competitors.

 

If you know anyone personally who has one of the machines your considering, and they'd grant you an hour to an afternoon on it to do what you typically do, take that.  I only wish "test driving" a computer were as conventional a part of the acquisition process as it is for cars.  It would prevent tons of wasted money and buyer's remorse.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to give me that additional feedback. I'll take all points on board! Really agree about the "test drive" scenario. Also, I don't have any experience of using a screen smaller than 15.6" for MS Office work, so that's a very valid concern you raise at the top of your post Thanks again

And again, thanks to others for contributing to this decision making process! 

Edited by ajones2703, 24 November 2015 - 12:14 PM.