Does this sound like a decent laptop?

[unknownuser]

So obviously, I am a girl and I'm not all that familiar with computer specs and such... but anyhow, I've had my old laptop for about 4 years now and it's developed some issues that would cost more than the computer is worth to fix. I need something decent and reliable (which my current laptop is not) for school and I had a little $$$ saved up and a 10% off coupon, so I decided to pull the trigger on a new laptop...

Current specs are:
Gateway NV53 - 15.6 in
Win 7 Home Premium 64bit
320 GB HDD
4 GB Memory
AMD Turion II Ultra Dual-Core Mobile M600 2.4 GHz
I paid some $550 for it 4 years ago...

The computer that I've ordered is:
Acer Aspire AS5733-6436 - 15.6 in
Win 7 Home Premium 64bit
500 GB HDD
6 GB Memory
Intel i3-380M 2.53 GHz
I paid $308 for it today, should arrive later in the week

So my question; will the 500 vs 320 GB HDD, the 6GB vs 4GB, and the Intel vs the AMD processor really make much of a difference?
And should it be enough to just run some things like the Internet, iTunes, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, and MS Office?
And for the price and the specs, does it sound like a decent computer?

I've got 90 days for a free return, so if I end up changing my mind, it shouldn't be a problem to get it exchanged for something else...

Thanks

[AvMan]

Yes I think you will notice a difference between the two. I mean obviously you've got more storage on the Acer than the Gateway. The new Intel processors are very good so you'll notice a difference in performance on that for definite. The 6 GB memory will help for your programs such as Photoshop and Lightroom, and, you can always upgrade the RAM if you really need to but 6 is a decent amount! Overall, I think youve made a good choice! Quite a good price too :) hope this helped.

[Altiier]

I assume "memory" means RAM... 6 gigs isn't bad at all, and the intel processor is badass for the price that you got the laptop... I would invest in maybe an external HDD or SSD because 500 gigs is okay as far as laptops go but Photoshop and such takes up a good bit of space, I don't know how much music you have but I have a terabyte HDD DEVOTED to media files so I would take that into consideration also. All in all you made a great choice! Hope that helps :D

[AusBoy19QLD]

Sounds decent and should do you well. Good price too :)

[dubstep13]

Sounds good for what you need. Pretty good for the price I think.

[unknownuser]

Yes I think you will notice a difference between the two. I mean obviously you've got more storage on the Acer than the Gateway. The new Intel processors are very good so you'll notice a difference in performance on that for definite. The 6 GB memory will help for your programs such as Photoshop and Lightroom, and, you can always upgrade the RAM if you really need to but 6 is a decent amount! Overall, I think youve made a good choice! Quite a good price too :) hope this helped.Yes, thanks for the help!

I assume "memory" means RAM... 6 gigs isn't bad at all, and the intel processor is badass for the price that you got the laptop... I would invest in maybe an external HDD or SSD because 500 gigs is okay as far as laptops go but Photoshop and such takes up a good bit of space, I don't know how much music you have but I have a terabyte HDD DEVOTED to media files so I would take that into consideration also. All in all you made a great choice! Hope that helps :D Thanks, and I already have an external HDD where I store the majority of my photos and music on.

Sounds decent and should do you well. Good price too :)

Sounds good for what you need. Pretty good for the price I think.

Thanks.

[DerBear]

For what you're paying and your purpose for the laptop I say that this little machine will serve you well :D

[Cooper197]

It sounds good! With one major exception. From what I've seen Acer produces a lot of junk. Granted, it is the same company as Gateway, so if you were happy with that you'll probably be happy with this one too. If it were me though, I'd return it. I've had the most success with Lenovo, and Toshiba isn't bad either...of course I'm biased towards Apple though, so they win, but Windows world it's Lenovo.

My main complaints with Acer (Gateway/E-Machines too, they are all combined) is that they tend to be cheap and have shoddy build quality. The last Acer I had I think I had to send back 5 or 6 times, and I was really really glad I got the extended warranty. I've seen this to be fairly common actually.

With that issue aside though, it should serve you very well! I would just highly recommend an extended warranty if it is offered. You should know within the 90 days though if you are going to like the computer or not.

[Salader]

Seems fine for what you need it for.

I would be better with dedicated graphics. But that's quite pricey

[jayjay's toocool]

Yes it is a nice basic laptop to me my friend has one it runs amazingly and catches viruses semi effieciently

[FantaSauce]

It's a lot better, Don't dis on AMD processors they are really good for the price you pay, But the i3 will perform better than the before stated processor. The extra ram you won't notice that much, the only difference is it will be ddr3 rather than ddr2, BUt that won't make that much difference. Overall it'll be the same as all products. Super fast out of the box but once you get your own shit all up on it, it'll slow down.

[Cygnus]

Unless you're a gamer the laptop will be just fine.

[unknownuser]

Super fast out of the box but once you get your own shit all up on it, it'll slow down.
Yeah, that's why I'm going to try to limit myself and just install the things that I need; like iTunes and Lightroom... might add Photoshop CS later.
And I'm going to store photos and documents on an external HDD.

[colepuck]

I don't like PC's in any way shape or form (gaming is a large acception) but if you are into editing and rendering, you'll love the intel over the AMD. As for the 4Gb vs 6 Gb RAM, you wont really see a difference unless you are pushing the computer either by gaming or media rendering (which I don't think you do if you don't know about computers a lot). I summary, a new PC is always nice, but Mac will last a lot longer. :)

[FantaSauce]

I don't like PC's in any way shape or form (gaming is a large acception) but if you are into editing and rendering, you'll love the intel over the AMD. As for the 4Gb vs 6 Gb RAM, you wont really see a difference unless you are pushing the computer either by gaming or media rendering (which I don't think you do if you don't know about computers a lot). I summary, a new PC is always nice, but Mac will last a lot longer. :)

Mac's will last longer? Nah man, if you are smart with your pc then it will last you much longer than a mac, I've had my laptops for many years and my computer is currently 1 year old. Presently runs as quick as it does when i made it.
If you're careful anything can last a long time.

[colepuck]

Mac's will last longer? Nah man, if you are smart with your pc then it will last you much longer than a mac, I've had my laptops for many years and my computer is currently 1 year old. Presently runs as quick as it does when i made it.
If you're careful anything can last a long time.

Mac's are made of unibody aluminum....PC's are made of plastic...As for its computing speed/power over time I just know what my friends who use PC's tell me....then again, my friends may just me carless with computers.

[Rickgg]

Yes it will

[Human]

There should be a big difference. When I got my new laptop, it was 2 years more advanced and 100x better.

[IVIodern]

It should be a whole lot faster regarding the above-mentioned situation.

I presume you don't really care about things such as CPU Cores for rendering models and videos. So,

my guess: you will like the speed upgrade to it but if you want to get into programs such as After Effects this won't be the wisest option to buy.

[Camazotz]

I don't know what else I can add to this discussion that hasn't been said. There will definitely be a noticeable difference, and it was definitely a good move for that price. For what you'll use it for, it's pretty perfect.

[FantaSauce]

Mac's are made of unibody aluminum....PC's are made of plastic...As for its computing speed/power over time I just know what my friends who use PC's tell me....then again, my friends may just me carless with computers.

So what? Who cares what it's made of? My computer is made of high quality plastic and steel casing.