PLEEEEAAASE help me compare these 3 laptops?? Begging....

[moopdog]

It's time to buy - like today! I just don't have the technical knowledge to make a good choice between these three. I am not seeing a difference in computer for the price diff, so there must be something I'm missing. Basically I need a computer that we will mostly use as a home computer (replacing desktop). It needs to be able to store lots of photos, surf the net fast, stream movies and watch on our tv (HDMI) and have the basics for office use - microsoft office will be bought if it doesn't come with. I would LIKE to be able to burn DVD's as well, but not vital. Can either of these do all of that? Thanks in advance - I need to do this before DH comes home and talks me out of it!


computer # 1 at Tigerdirect:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1202206&CatId=2511

Computer #2 at Tiger:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=633215&CatId=2511

Computer at hhgregg:
http://www.hhgregg.com/sony-vaio-laptop-with-intel-core-i3-2310m-processor/item/VPCEJ16FXB

 

[Branabb]

Of your 3 choices, I would recommend :

Sony VAIO VPCEJ1AFX/B Notebook PC - Intel Core i5-2410M 2.3GHz $699.

The cost difference lies primarily in the processors.

All have the features you want. I'm assuming you will want to stream Netflix or Blu-Ray to your TV? Or maybe just random videos and photos? Regardless, the i5 processor is the most robust of the 3 and will make streaming HD to your television much more fluid and enjoyable.

The i3 can handle it, but it lacks the additional cache of the i5 which can cause problems when we are dealing with laptops w/ integrated graphics. The only thing I would suggest is consider increasing the memory to the maximum 8GB in the near future. HD video can gobble up memory, especially when streaming it to a television.

Wait and see how it performs before investing in the memory though. Whatever you choose, DON'T go with anything that is Pentium-D or Pentium Dual Processor . Both are the same thing and much less powerful than i3 and i5.

Just to add, I have worked in the PC industry over 15 years, and I would not hesitate to recommend the same model to friends and family with similar needs as yours.


Note that you will have to buy the HDMI cable to connect to your TV. If you don't already have one and can wait to get it in the mail a few days, you can save a ton buying from Monoprice. Their customer service is excellent and their prices can't be beat.

 

[LilyWDW]

It's time to buy - like today! I just don't have the technical knowledge to make a good choice between these three. I am not seeing a difference in computer for the price diff, so there must be something I'm missing. Basically I need a computer that we will mostly use as a home computer (replacing desktop). It needs to be able to store lots of photos, surf the net fast, stream movies and watch on our tv (HDMI) and have the basics for office use - microsoft office will be bought if it doesn't come with. I would LIKE to be able to burn DVD's as well, but not vital. Can either of these do all of that? Thanks in advance - I need to do this before DH comes home and talks me out of it!


computer # 1 at Tigerdirect:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1202206&CatId=2511

Computer #2 at Tiger:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=633215&CatId=2511

Computer at hhgregg:
http://www.hhgregg.com/sony-vaio-laptop-with-intel-core-i3-2310m-processor/item/VPCEJ16FXB

The big difference that I can see (I admit, I didn't look ALL that close) is the processors. Computer 1 had an older style processor, Computer 2 has an i5, and computer 3 has an i3. Otherwise, they all seem the same.

I would suggest going with computer 2.

 

[moopdog]

Thank you so much! I got the better one and feel very good about it. It cannotcome soon enough, this morning I have the dreaded blue screen of death that I cant get past. I need to post a thread for more help!! Lol.