RAM + processor options

So I've decided to buy a laptop. It's mainly for uni - computer science.

No need for a dedicated gfx card, but I'm not sure about the i processor + RAM deals.

1st option: i3 350M, 4GB RAM.
2nd option: i5 430M, 3GB RAM. 60$ more than the 1st option.
3rd option: i5 520, 4GB RAM. 120$ more than the 1st option.

Any opinions?

 

Unless you have significant CPU-intensive tasks that are a significant part of your computer usage, I would advise you to go with Option 1.

Are these different laptops, or different configurations of the same machine? If it's the former, then posting more information would let us better help you choose a good machine for your needs.

 

depending on whether u will do CPU intensive stuff , the options will vary.. IMO, get the 1st option... and if u need a better CPU , u can upgrade later on urself 1-2 years later...

 

It's the same laptop, Vostro 3500. idk how much machine power I'll need for my courses, I'm guessing not much. But I'll probably be multitasking a lot.

Thanks. Also, is the 3GB / 4GB difference noticeable?

Edit: I can also just take the i5 520 with 2GB deal, which costs slightly less than the i5 430M with 3GB RAM. Does the RAM matter that much?

 

It all comes down to your needs. Multitasking is a property of the RAM most of the time unless you somehow run multiple CPU hogging tasks at the same time.

Given that you're in Computer Science, I doubt the CPU tasks will be that intensive. A good way to know is to look at the computers in the labs of your classes; if they're 6 core CPUs then that's a hint at the kind of processing power those courses use

To be perfectly honest I'd take the i3 with 4GB of RAM if not the 430M and 3. My friend is in computer science and he's using a Core 2 Duo T5850 with little to no issues in power.

 

When you say "multitasking," I'm guessing you mean running several applications at the same time, but not necessarily simultaneously running many resource-intensive apps at once.

My guess is that Option 1 would be the best choice for your uses. For most intents and purposes, 3GB of RAM is plenty (I used 2GB of RAM running Vista 64-bit comfortably for nearly a year, before adding another 2GB for a current total of 4GB). 4GB just gives you more headroom, although it's probably unnecessary.

Unless you're itching to spend more money for a more powerful system, I would stick with Option 1. If you would like more "insurance," I would suggest the i5 430M + 4GB of RAM. My friend is running the i5 430M in his Envy 15, and it's very powerful - it can handle pretty much any game out there.