Which option for $100

If you were buying a new Envy 14 and had $100 left to spend which option would you prefer and why?

i5-560M 2.66GHz (over the i5-460M 2.53GHz)

or

6gb RAM (over 4gb)

Do you think having 2gb more RAM would produce a faster computer or would having the 0.13GHz do that?

 

This is all a matter of how you plan to use your computer and a little bit of preference as well. I personally would go for the better CPU; why, because for Virtualization (which I happen to have interest in) the 560M is better suited; and also the RAM would be easier to upgrade in the future if you chose to, compared to upgrading the CPU. See a comparison of both processors here.

 

Additional 2gb for 100? If you prefer ram, then select the 1x4gb option (25$?), then buy a 4gb stick from a place like newegg for 40-50$. That way you'll have 8gb total for 25$ less.

 

The i5-560M is capable of up to 3.2GHz via Intel's TurboBoost technology. The i5-460M is limited to 2.8GHz. The 560M also supports additional encryption and virtualization technologies that the 460M does not...not that those features are anything you'll ever use, but they are part of the additional 'value' of the i5-5xx-series.

You can upgrade to 6GB or more any time in the future, but you'd have to remove one of the 2GB RAM modules and replace it with a 4GB module. You can buy 4GB DDR3 at Newegg for under $50.

Unless you're just itching to spend another $100, you'd be just fine sticking with the i5-460M and 4GB for now. Then you can upgrade to 6GB for half the cost whenever you're ready...

Otherwise, go for the i5-560M...

 

Damn!! I was afraid you guys were going to say that. I called HP the other day just to ask a few questions and ended up ordering a 14. The reason I asked about a $100 upgrade was because the coupon I had was for a laptop that was at least $1299 and the final $100 was for either a CPU or RAM upgrade and I went with the RAM. About an hour afterwards I thought about what you guys just said, RAM is really easy and cheap to upgrade whereas a chip is not. HP told me they have a 21 day zero questions asked return policy, so can I call and just say I don't want this set up and ask them to build me a new one? Has anyone else done this?

 

I don't know about canceling an order in progress. But I can attest to their very customer-friendly returns process. I ordered a dv7t last year and, after using it for about five days, I decided that it wasn't a good long-term fit for my needs. I got a full refund (minus the original shipping cost) and HP even covers the cost to ship it back to them. I was impressed.

Here's the link to their Returns page- there's a link at the bottom of the page to initiate a return via CHAT. Perhaps you could ask them what the process would be in your situation- LINK

SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER- if you return this system and re-order, your coupon may not apply! Just something to think about before you decide to ship it back.

 

I'd pocket all the money and wait for the Sandy Bridge refresh of the Envy14 OR put the $100 towards a SSD.

 

Thought about that too. I'm gonna call and see if it's too late to change (just ordered it yesterday).

 

Ditto. Being so close to HP notebook refreshes, I'd be inclined to take the wait and see approach before dropping the cash on a new laptop. With the new refreshes, there will surely be discounts and coupons available.