Help me choose between these two models

Hi there, first time poster here. Dane, M, 27. Just discovered the forum yesterday, and it seems there are a lot of competent folks here.

I also posted this on the "what notebook should I buy" board, but I thought that ASUS user might be more inclined to read and answer

Okay, this is my problem...

I'm buying a laptop for my mom, and I've pretty much made up my mind about which one. It doesn't need to be fast or anything; it's just for checking emails, managing bank accounts and such. I'm down to two models, both from ASUS, and both with similar specs and prices.

The first one is the A6U

Specifications:

Intel® Celeron® M processor 300 Sequence 1.7Ghz
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional,
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
15"/15.4" XGA / WXGA (Color Shine)
Embedded ATI Radeon® Xpress 200M
DDR2 533MHz, up to 2G
802.11b/g
1 x 0.35M Pixel built-in webcam (optional), 1x Card Reader
354 x 284 x 35mm, 2.8Kg

The other one is the A6R

Specifications:

AMD Sempron 3100 1.8Ghz
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional,
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
15"/15.4" XGA / WXGA (Color Shine)
SIS M760GX shared grafikkort
DDR2 533MHz, up to 2G
802.11b/g
1 x 0.35M Pixel built-in webcam (optional), 1x Card Reader
354 x 284 x 35mm, 2.8Kg

As you can see the only difference between the two models is the cpu and the gpu...

My question is if you think I should sacrifice the extra processing power of the AMD for the superior GPU in the A6U or vica versa ? This may seem silly as both will probably do fine, but I've been told to stay away from Celerons, but I've also been told to avoid integrated graphics. I'm on a pretty tight budget, so I can't have an ASUS that avoids both I think.

I'm pretty sure my mom will not use the computer for much else than what I described earlier and maybe an occational movie, perhaps some light photoshop...

I've tried to find info on the two processors and gpu's but it seems that there isn't much available

You're welcome to recommend other models, but I do prefer ASUS; they just look better, and that's a concern to my mom I think.

Thanks in advance

- Rasmus

 

I would say for what your mom is doing, the cheapter might be better. You don't need a high end processor to get online, and the integrated GPU might be better because it will yield better battery life and less heat, and your mom isn't going to be playing F.E.A.R., so why waste the money and other benefits (I suppose) on the dedicated card. I would probably pick the A6U if I had to choose, but then again, I picked the V6j. Good Luck.

 

Thanks. I had a feeling it didn't really matter. Still, I might as well pick the better of the two options, and the price is the same.

 

Based on what you've got listed there, I would stick with the A6U due to my previous mobile prejudices towards Intel and against SiS. Mobile AMD CPU's haven't established a brilliant reputation yet, and SiS has a long history of being unreliable technology compared to Intel in terms of motherboard architechture.

That said, based on what you need it for if the price is significantly different I wouldn't mind going with the A6R. If its close, I'd stick with the A6U.

 

Quoted for truth...

 

Thanks PogueMahone... Price is the same.

 

I 2nd undertow.. the SiS alone makes me rule against it.