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First Laptop Help.

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Lick
Posts: 1927 - Karma: 518
I am getting a laptop soon, and I was wondering if I could get your guy's opinions.

I need to get it at Best Buy because I have a gift card there, and I need it to be under $400.
I am just looking for one with pretty good RAM and a good harddrive. Preferably a webcam and built in mic.

Also, what is the difference between the memory and hardrive?
But,

So far I've been looking at this HP: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Laptop+/+AMD+E-Series+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+3GB+Memory+/+320GB+Hard+Drive+-+Charcoal+Gray/2660188.p?id=1218342637618&skuId=2660188

But I don't really know what is different about that one and this one:http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Laptop+/+AMD+Athlon%26%23153%3B+II+Processor+/+14%22+Display+/+3GB+Memory+/+320GB+Hard+Drive+-+Pewter/2284864.p?id=1218317762845&skuId=2284864 besides the price. if someone could tell me that would be great.

Also, If you've had experiences with any of these on this page:http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=cabcat0500000%23%230%23%23205~~cabcat0502000%23%230%23%233d~~cpcmcat196200050013%23%230%23%231~~f1019||496e2053746f72652026204f6e6c696e65~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~f305||24333030202d20243339392e3939~~f687||4275696c742d696e2057656263616d~~nf628||3330304742202d203439394742&list=y&nrp=15&sc=abComputerSP&ks=960&usc=abcat0500000&sp=-bestsellingsort+skuid&list=y&iht=n&st=processingtime%3A%3E1900-01-01
and think that one of those would be better, just tell me.


All help appreciated! :D
Jun 21 2011 8:05PM
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pbandj
Posts: 5610 - Karma: 28
basically, the main difference between the first two you posted is the processor speed.

the first one only has 1.6 ghz

whereas the second one has 2.3 ghz which is well worth the extra 20 bucks IMO.

however, get the most ram you possible can, it makes the biggest difference when you're running programs

and two answer your question, a hard drive is how much your computer can store, your ram is how much your computer can process at any given point. and they are totally un related.
Jun 21 2011 8:17PM
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Lick
Posts: 1927 - Karma: 518
Oh thanks man. +k
Yeah I'll probably just get the one with 2.3 ghz.

And so memory and ram are pretty much the same thing?
Jun 21 2011 8:19PM
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Lick
Posts: 1927 - Karma: 518
They're too expensive and I've been using PCs for my whole live and would never get a mac.
Jun 21 2011 8:20PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
so for $400 you could get like... a mouse (hyperbole, I know, but use some fucking common sense).





Otherwise, for a basic laptop, #2 is fine.
Jun 21 2011 8:21PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
RAM = memory which in part dictates the speed of the computer.

hard drive is how much stuff (music, word documents, videos, etc) the computer can hold.

if it was between the first 2 computers, get the more expensive one. the extra speed is definitely worth $20
Jun 21 2011 8:21PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
No, Memory, as in hard drive is how much space you have to store files (Like games and shit). RAM (Random Access Memory) is used when you run the program. Basically, it helps you run more programs at once. Any other questions?
Jun 21 2011 8:22PM
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Msully
Posts: 575 - Karma: 21
Memory is ram, Storage is hard drive. No where in the history of computers is a hard drive referred to as memory.
Jun 21 2011 8:46PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
Did you read the post I quoted?
Jun 21 2011 8:47PM
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Msully
Posts: 575 - Karma: 21
op: wait for the g4-1015dx to go on sale for 349.99.  or step up into the g6 that is carried for 479.99, it has the 350 i3, 4 gigs and 500gig hard drive.
Jun 21 2011 8:47PM
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Lick
Posts: 1927 - Karma: 518
the g4-1015d? do they sell that at best buy? and how much is it now?
Jun 21 2011 8:53PM
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Lick
Posts: 1927 - Karma: 518
Nevermind got it lol.
thats the one thats 400 right now.
when do you think it'll go on sale?
Jun 21 2011 8:54PM
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Msully
Posts: 575 - Karma: 21
id say anytime in the next 2 week, it goes on sale frequently and is a better deal for the price.
Jun 21 2011 9:21PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
you literally said the opposite of what he said. people usually use memory to mean ram, not hard drive space
Jun 21 2011 9:22PM
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Obi-Wan-Jenobi
Posts: 951 - Karma: 119
Hows your live going? And the other guy is right i used to have a PC now i got a Mac and will never go back.
Jun 21 2011 9:26PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 11,497
If youre a student try to find a student discount. Mac gives decent ones but I dont know about windows/PCs
Jun 21 2011 9:41PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
SPEED /= RAM

RAM = RAM

dont think that way
Jun 21 2011 9:55PM
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Msully
Posts: 575 - Karma: 21
macs arent 400 bux
Jun 22 2011 5:16PM
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Mr.Kamu
Posts: 618 - Karma: 7
Get a Mac, that's all I have to say.
Jun 22 2011 6:06PM
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Mr.Kamu
Posts: 618 - Karma: 7
Get a Mac, that's all I have to say.
Jun 22 2011 6:07PM
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Lick
Posts: 1927 - Karma: 518
I'm not getting a Mac, the cheapest one that Best Buy sells is $1,000. :P
Jun 23 2011 12:23PM
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