I need to buy a Laptop and I need some advice. I have my selection down to two models.

One is an HP Turbo Intel Core i5-5200U 2.2 GHz 3MB L2 Cache processor, 6GB DDR3L SDRAM, 1 TB SATA HD, SuperMulti DVD Burner, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN, with a 15.6” WLED backlit display, Windows 10 Home and Intel HD Graphics 5500 with up to 3029MB total graphics memory.

Also has:

HP TrueVision webcam with dual array digital microphones
Multi-format digital media card reader
1 x USB 3.0 port, 2 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x RJ-45 port, 1 x headphone/microphone combo jack
3-cell lithium-ion polymer battery
4.73 lbs, 0.96" x 15.13" x 10.02"

It is $449.99

The other one I am looking at is a HP Pavilion AMD QUAD CORE A10-9700P 1.8GHz (with Max Turbo Speed of 3.2GHz) 2MB L2 Cache, 8GB DDR3L SDRAM, 1TB SATA HD, SuperMulti DVD Burner, 10/100Base-T Ethernet 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN, with a 17.3” HD BrightView WLED-backlit display with AMD Radeon R6 graphics with 4352MB total graphics memory and Windows 10 Home.

Also has:

HP TrueVision webcam with dual-array digital microphones
Multi-format digital media card reader
2 x USB 3.0 ports, 1 x USB 2.0 port, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x RJ-45 port, 1 x headphone/microphone combo jack
4-cell lithium-ion battery
5.82 lbs, 1.07" x 156.49" x 11.29"

It is $499.99

I am not sure about AMD, I have been told they are crap......

The first one looks like a much better processor and faster. Just 6 BG of Ram and a smaller screen :(

The second one, well I like the fact it has 8 GB of RAM, a larger Screen and a 4 cell battery.

I am not going to be using it for gaming. It is mostly for using Microsoft Office, Adobe and the internet. I do have like 6 or 7 windows open at one time, especially with Internet Explorer. I multitask a lot.

The specs look pretty similar,
Do you have any model numbers?

Don't overlook the length, availability, and coverage of warranty. Some machines have in home service and some don't. SOme have longer coverage than others. And if you are going to be gadding around town with it a lot, or using it in a business, you will want to buy extended coverage and accidental damage coverage. Check how much that is as well.

I've used AMD cpu's before and they are very good. In your choice I would take the system with the 8 gigs of ram vs the 6 gigs of ram...

My choice for a good laptop would be to buy a used business laptop that was refurbished by a retailer or manufacturer like Dell Acer or HP. The business laptops are built better and can take rougher handling verses a home laptop.

Intel... You are correct AMD is crap.

I work in IT and we never sell our customers AMD.

I looked and didn't see them on the website :( They are pretty similar except one is Intel and one is AMD and the RAM and Screen size difference.

The warranty is the exact same on both of them. I am getting it from Wal0Mart and well their extended warranties are crap, not even worth the paper their printed on. That is why the sales associates don't push them because they are crap.

That's what I've heard. I just liked the 8MB of RAM and the 17 inch screen :(

Well if you can wait until the end of this month you might find a killer deal when the Christmas sales start. Then you can have all your wants in one laptop :)

This doesn't speak to the two options presented, these are just my thoughts because I'm also looking for a laptop:

I heard the latest Skylake chips from Intel are really a boon for battery life - if battery life is a concern.

If you want to future proof your laptop, you might wait just a few more months and get a good deal on one with a few Type C ports.

I have a HP ProBook 4540 with an Intel I5 processor. It has worked well and is very stable.

I built my last seven desktops and the latest has an Intel I7 on a Gigibyte high durability motherboard. It has extreme processing power.

I never used the AMD chips because I was advised not to by peeps that claimed to know. The Intel chips always work fine.

I'd go with the Intel chipset. I'd also read a bunch of geek articles about what's new and works and what doesn't. You should analyze your actual needs if price is an issue. A refurbished commercial unit may give more bang for the buck!

My past builds have been AMD mainly because of price point, but honestly I've never seen any real-world performance degradation, granted Intel does better in benchmarks. ..but other than that when im using the system for gaming or other tasks I don't see any perceptible performance differences to justify the higher cost of Intel,

my current system has a phenom x6, it's older but still works like a champ

I've been working in I.T. since the mid-1990s. I started buying AMD back around 1999/2000 when Intel built a unique identifier into their Pentium-3 chips* & I've never had any problems related to AMD chips.

I will frequently recommend that people take a look at Dell's refurbished systems. You can typically get a business-class system that's been checked/tested for considerably less than retail. In addition, if you have any problems (OS gets corrupted, a piece of hardware fails, etc.) Dell has an 'Express Service Code' which makes it a lot easier to download the correct driver or get the appropriate replacement hardware.

Good luck!

* More info on that at https://www.cdt.org/files/privacy/issues/pentium3/990226intelcomplaint.shtml

Check with the actual manufacturer. Not the just the vendor.

I work fixing these things for my lower class living, and some extended warranties are worth it, again, depending on YOUR usage of the device.

I've heard Corky's and .. Weiner dogs make good ..ohhh.. wait a minute you said laptops not lap dogs..oops. .lol

I have a book case full of lap tops I have bought over the years and I have to agree with going with a retailer that specializes in selling computers and doesn't just have a department that sells them. I sure won't get stung buying a Walmart "bargain" again.

While technology always seems to get outdated it has always served me well to buy more capacity than I thought I needed because seemed to always "grow" into it.

Since a laptop is often a work computer don't over look financing/insuring it like a work asset. Usually a business/credit union credit rate is way more favorable than the store financing or your personal credit card. Buying your computer through your alma mater college bookstore is almost always going to get you a serious discount on better technology.

Getting something that is going to have a really good warranty, that you actually read and know is not crap, that I double using my credit card to purchase has served me well. Make sure you get an immediate loaner clause that they have to transfer your data because you don't want to be waiting weeks for them to tell you that they can't fix your computer. OFTEN the loaner I was given was a way better computer and when they could not fix it quickly they let me keep the loaner. They know their time is money.

Keeping with a computer that easily accommodates a back up file or private extended data storage is not a bad idea with laptops that tend to get damaged, or yikes stolen. It is rarely the loss of the computer that is so upsetting as it is the data. I find having a cheaper model you get stuck trying to decide what you are going to use in the limited ports and the cheaper construction means the plugs fail and the cases tend to leak dust and other crud in the key board/computer. Cheaper laptops seem to fail more from over heating too.

I found that sturdiness, key pad size, and over all size, and weight are important features to me since I often take my lap top with me to inhospitable places and the smaller the size the easier it is to carry and protect or not damage because more storage options are available cheaper. That may not be true for you if you have large hands or low vision where the smaller lap top make you feel like Gulliver.

Availability of accessories, especially auxiliary batteries and cords can justify spending more money initially. I have never regretted spending the extra bucks to order and "extra" cord when the computer was new because several times it was nice to toss the damaged one and no hassles keeping going.

Sir, I know a little about computers. My suggestions are as follows:

1. Get the faster Intel laptop. You can't go wrong with a speedier CPU.

2. Although the computer has only 6 GB of RAM, you should be able to upgrade it to as much RAM as you want.

3. If all you wish to do is surf the web and type up some stuff for work, the smaller display might suffice (unless, of course, you can't see smaller text very well) in most situations. Plus, the smaller footprint will be lighter and give you less strain to carry when on the go.

4. The Intel is a good bit cheaper than the AMD, so use the money saved to put towards some more RAM.

I also have been told that the AMD processors are no good. However, my first laptop had an AMD Athlon 64 X2 running at around 1.9 GHz and that little computer really ran well with Windows Vista. Don't judge the quality of any particular CPU brand until you have actually used it! Another suggestion, get an external hard drive enclosure and a good SSD with at least 256 GB capacity so you can save backups of your files and keep the main hard drive clean and clutter free. A solid-state drive (SSD) will not crash if it gets dropped or jostled accidentally, unlike a more traditional disk drive. I hope this helps you. Good luck.

For Adobe, right? Adobe is really RAM eater.
You have to buy a laptop with upgradeable RAM slot at least 16 GB. Go for Intel because it's faster than AMD. For the processor, don't buy something ended with U, because it's slow and more into saving battery. Go at least for M processor. Buy those with good graphic card, Nvidia usually more compatible with software, grab the GTX. For te HDD, buy at least blue one for WDC or Seagate. 500 GB minimal. Or you can just buy an external HDD or SSD (if you want faster performance). Small monitor is not a problem, you can always connect it to external monitor because most of laptop monitors don't have good color except for Apple's product but Apple is way too expensive.

Good advice, only make SURE you can add memory. More and more machines these days, are being designed for style alone, and have x amount of memory built in, with no expansion possible.