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confused about processors and RAM?

i am looking to get a new laptop, spending around £350-£380. I understand the basics about what processors and memory are about, but I am confused about what I should actually go for. I have seen some HP laptops, one is in the sale and has the new Intel Core i3 processor, but only 2GB memory. One has a Dual Core Celeron T3500 with 4GB RAM and another one has the Intel Pentium T4500 also with 4GB memory. I want my laptop to be able to do things like browse the internet, email, word & excel, download & watch videos & TV programmes, watch DVD's and picture editing using Photoshop. What do you think? Thanks

Public Comments

1. computers for dummies - easy answer here, the higher the number the better it is.
2. Go with the i3.
3. The i3 one has less ram but a much better processor. Celeron chips are cheaper chips, so go for a pentium chip where possible. Also you can alway upgrade the ram at a later date, but you'llbe stuck with the processor. I would go for an i3, i5 or i7 processor, and as much ram as you can afford. Some models can be bought with different specs so check around.
4. It is pretty straight forward. If you want to do basic stuff like you mentioned 2GB is enough but for Photoshop you would need more. 4GB is basically the start nowadays because new Windows 7 64bit needs at least 2GB RAM to operate. 32bit needs 1GB but it's slower. The processor is also the newer the better so the more Ghz it has the better. also the bigger the number after "i" like I have i7 the better. Besides all that I really do recommend at least 4GB Ram if you will going to use a 64bit OS and 3GB RAM if 32bit. Hope that helps.
5. The laptop with 2GB is good deal. In most laptop, there's two slot. First would be occupied by 2GB ram and other can be used for upgrade if you wish in future. 2GB is enough for browsing, playing video , photoshop . If you are not serious gamer, go core i3. Intel Celeron Dual-Core T3500 (2.10 GHz) Intel® Pentium® Processor T4500 (1M Cache, 2.30 GHz, 800 MHz FSB), Intel pentium processore offer more processing power , so go for it. Plus , I have noticed, celeron and pentium both offer 64bit support which is good. See the same for core i3.
6. No simple answer here it depends on what you use them for, for processors everyday and basic use an intel pentium 4 would suffice, however for constant multi tasking and using high performance you are looking for around 3.0+ GHz AMD Phenom, I7 980 + overclocking. For RAM goes for the same but it depends on the use of certain and/or many installed programs and the features in an Operating System more RAM is needed for Win 7 then XP it isn't hard to figure it out why. 512MB RAM Basic use, 8GB RAM multiple OS's, Large developing software (CAD, Architecture programs etc). I recommend a processor with 2.0GHz or greater with at least 1 - 2GB RAM.
7. this will be simple. Celeron = very low end, almost disposable CPU, useless for most tasks. Pentium = old, but based on core 2 duo architecture. its fast ENOUGH but really wont last the next generation. its outdated before you even buy it. core i3 = this is intels NEWEST low cost solution and its been proven to be much much faster than even the high end of the previous generation of CPUs. it will be around for a long time and wont be outdated very soon. get this if you can afford it at all as for ram, that can always be upgraded after you buy the laptop, AND its usually cheaper that way. most laptops with a 64 bit windows will support 4GB but some core i3 laptops might support more. dont be worried you buy a laptop with less ram, (like 2GB and a core i3 over a 4gb and a celeron) you can always ADD RAM, you can NOT change a cpu. pretty much any laptop in your price range is going to include a 1366x768 size screen around 15.6 inches. this is a very nice size and allows god playback of HD video from youtube and gives you a lot of screen area for things like photoshop.