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General discussion

Torn between Acer and Toshiba

Oct 30, 2009 9:40AM PDT

Hi, i am a new member looking for some advice Happy

I'm looking for a cheap laptop that has a 17" screen, 3-4 gb ram and a dual core processor, and a HDMI output.

Which one is better out of:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-L350D-215-Notebook-Dual-Core/dp/tech-data/B002Q8HMFU/ref=de_a_smtd

and

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/3778417/art/acer/aspire-7540.html?srcid=867

The toshiba has one more gig or ram, but the acer has a little bit better graphics card (Ati radeon 3200 vs ati radeon 3100)
Does one have a better processor than the other? Which one would you choose?

Thanks Happy

Discussion is locked

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anyone?
Oct 31, 2009 8:03PM PDT

any one have any input? sorry to bump the thread but I'd really like to make a decision soon, either to buy one of these or to find a better one

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You didn't reveal much.
Oct 31, 2009 11:15PM PDT

If cost is the issue, go cheaper. If you want some hope of games, get the better GPU. There's little to base the decision on from your post.

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i see
Nov 1, 2009 12:31AM PDT

thanks for the reply, they both cost the same so i was unsure on which was better.

I'd like to know whether the fact that one is an AMD Athlon Processor QL-65 and the other is an AMD Athlon? II Dual-Core M300 Processor makes a difference? Or is it the case that all dual core processors with the same Ghz should basically be the same?

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Dual vs. single core.
Nov 1, 2009 1:01AM PDT

Sorry but for what I do, the dual core wins. And the one notch version difference is the GPU is handily dismissed if I get a dual core.

Sorry no. I don't discuss CPU benchmarks. That's something the members need to do their research on. You have Tomshardware and the CPU benchmarks there and many other places.
Bob

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Sorry I misread it.
Nov 1, 2009 1:23AM PDT

Both are dual core units. You have chosen nearly identical machines with no real differences.

Try this. Try the machines in person. I found that what looks fine spec wise failed me horribly in reality as the keyboard was missing a few keys I use all the time.
Bob

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I would go for the Acer
Nov 1, 2009 1:12AM PDT

with the higher screen resolution. It's unusual that a laptop that sells with 4 gig of ram that comes with a 32 bit OS like the Toshiba.

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HD?
Nov 1, 2009 1:59AM PDT

will both be able to play at least 720p HD? i'm not sure what a laptop needs in order to play HD video (does it just need a good enough video card)?