Question on the difference between i5-4210M and i7-4712MQ Ultranote II

[afia2k8]

Help please. i5-4210M Vs i7-4712MQ Ultranote II for my needs.

Hey guys,

I just ordered this laptop today. But I'm having second thoughts on changing the screen back to 1366x768 and simply upgrading the i5 to i7 for only £34 extra. Most of the time I'll use the laptop at home connected to my external monitor. Usual use consists of about 10 chrome tabs opened, some pdf/word documents, some financial trading charts/platforms open, and youtube music in the background. Will the i5 with the following spec be sufficient? I honestly am used to a 1366x768 and haven't used a 1080p laptop screen before so i'm not that bothered. You can't miss out on something you've never tried.

Plus, I've already ordered Kingston Hyper-x 1600Mhz 2x4gb kit on Amazon for about £56 and will put the 2GB RAM below in an older laptop.

So with current specs (including the Kingston Hyper-X Amazon costs) price is => £550
With 1080p + i7-4712MQ => £651
With 1366x768 screen + i7-4712MQ => £584
Or possibly; 1080p + i7-4712MQ + only 120gb Samsung SSD => £607

(After £15 discount code applied)

My budget is only about £550 Max... I'd appreciate any opinions asap as I've already just ordered this with the specs below. Do I need to sacrifice any components for the i7 or just leave it as is. I'm not sure which is the best option/whether I really need an i7. I haven't kept up with Tech in 4-5 years, so I'm way behind on the current trend. I hope the laptop lasts at least 4 - 7 years. It won't be used for gaming at all.

Thank you in advance.



Chassis & Display
UltraNote: 15.6" Matte Full HD IPS LED Backlit Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-4210M (2.60GHz) 3MB
Memory (RAM)
2GB KINGSTON SODIMM DDR3 1333MHz (1 x 2GB)
Graphics Card
INTEL® HD GRAPHICS MEDIA ACCELERATOR 4600
1st Hard Disk
250GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (upto 540MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
UltraNote Series: 8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-7260 HMC (867Mbps, 802.11AC) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Battery
UltraNote Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (62.16WH) (Up to 7 Hours)
Power Cable
1 x UK Power Lead & 65W AC Adaptor
Keyboard Language
ULTRANOTE SERIES UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
DVD Recovery Media
NO DVD RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

 

[afia2k8]

On second thoughts:

I'm just going to go for 1x4GB HyperX RAM and 500GB standard HDD. Will buy the Crucial MX100 256gb SSD and other 4GB HyperX RAM during Black Friday/Cyber Monday soon. (Will cancel the separate 2x4gb RAM Amazon order)

So guys, is the i7 upgrade necessary for my needs? Which one is better in the long run => 1080p Screen Or i7 CPU? Would there be any real-world differences for uses.

I estimate if I keep the 1080p screen and get the i7; then buy the SSD and 4gb ram during Cyber monday, total would still be about £641 (but this time I have a spare 500GB HDD that I can use as a portable HD). SStill quite expensive to keep both the 1080p and i7 option.


I'd appreciate for any quick responses please. Thank you!

 

[SpyderTracks]

Well, for me, both the i7 and 1080p would be important features. But as you say, you've never tried 1080p so maybe not so important.

The difference between the i5 and the i7 is dual core vs quad core so the i7 will be a much speedier chip for general use going forward, as to weather or not you need it, the i5 would probably suffice, but for future proofing, go with the i7.

I would stick with the standard hdd and upgrade to an ssd when you can as you say to reduce initial cost.

 

[afia2k8]

Decided to stick with the i5 and 1080p and change to hyper-x 1x4gb + standard 500gb HDD.

Total £450. Will purchase a 256gb curcial mx100 + another 1x4gb hyper-x RAM in a few weeks during CyberMonday/Black Friday sales. Would probably cost another £94 thereabouts.

Planning to get another high powered laptop in the future anyway with dedicated graphics so this midrange CPU/specs will suffice for now. Also have an Xbox for gaming.

Thanks for the help.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Decided to stick with the i5 and 1080p and change to hyper-x 1x4gb + standard 500gb HDD.

Total £450. Will purchase a 256gb curcial mx100 + another 1x4gb hyper-x RAM in a few weeks during CyberMonday/Black Friday sales. Would probably cost another £94 thereabouts.

Planning to get another high powered laptop in the future anyway with dedicated graphics so this midrange CPU/specs will suffice for now. Also have an Xbox for gaming.

Thanks for the help.

Looks good. The MX100 is a fantastic SSD.

 

[afia2k8]

Oh man, PCS is gonna hate me. A lot of order amendments, charges and credit notes refunded in a day haha.

Ok. So:

i5 1080p 500GB HDD hyper-x RAM 1x4GB All £450.
I remembered I had a EUR70 goodwill voucher so in the end bought a 256gb Samsung SSD for about £40 on Amazon.de.
Now waiting to buy another 4gb RAM later in sales Max £28.

So all in estimating about £518.

Is this the correct optical caddy to put the 500GB HDD in? In the PCS options it does state 9.5mm but I'm just not sure on the shape of the optical caddy would be similar? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APPLE-9-5...es_HardDriveEnclosures_RL&hash=item4ade6575a4

I hope a PCS rep can confirm that universal caddys can fit? Don't fancy paying £12 just for a caddy.
+
Thank you.

 

[SpyderTracks]

9.5mm is the standard 2.5" hdd thickness, the newer ones are 7mm so yes, that should be fine.

Regarding the samsung, they recently fixed a pretty critical speed issue in a firmware update, so when you first get it, make sure it's running on the latest firmware which is included in the performance restoration tool:

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/global/html/support/downloads.html

 

[delahmed]

I opened up the Ultranote II to reveal what is inside.

[video=youtube_share;zGeddz2i8C8]http://youtu.be/zGeddz2i8C8[/video]

 

[afia2k8]

9.5mm is the standard 2.5" hdd thickness, the newer ones are 7mm so yes, that should be fine.

Regarding the samsung, they recently fixed a pretty critical speed issue in a firmware update, so when you first get it, make sure it's running on the latest firmware which is included in the performance restoration tool:

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/global/html/support/downloads.html

I read that in the Amazon reviews. Do I do it before or after installing windows 8.1? How do I check if the new firmware has been installed? Via Crystalmark? I'm new to SSDs. Thanks you.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I read that in the Amazon reviews. Do I do it before or after installing windows 8.1? How do I check if the new firmware has been installed? Via Crystalmark? I'm new to SSDs. Thanks you.

You can do it after you've installed Windows. If you install Samsung Magician (on the same download link) that'll tell you what firmware is currently on there. I wouldn't do the update from within Magician.

 

[afia2k8]

I see. Thank you.

Looking at the Teardown video by Delahmed, it does not seem too hard to apply the Thermal paste myself. Just 3 screws to remove the heatsink. I already have a new tube of MX-4, would applying paste myself void warranty? From Google searches it people say they were allowed to, as it seems that PCS does not do a proper job at applying thermal paste.

 

[afia2k8]

You can do it after you've installed Windows. If you install Samsung Magician (on the same download link) that'll tell you what firmware is currently on there. I wouldn't do the update from within Magician.

I've changed my mind now. Going to call them tomorrow to cancel and opt for the Optimus V 13.3" instead. Would you kindly give me an opinion on which one do you think is better, MATTE 1080P IPS vs. GLOSSY QHD+ 3200x1600? Will 1080P have better battery life? The difference in costs is only £6. I've started a new thread here:

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/foru...1080p-MATTE-vs-QHD-GLOSSY&p=305556#post305556

Thank you.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I've changed my mind now. Going to call them tomorrow to cancel and opt for the Optimus V 13.3" instead. Would you kindly give me an opinion on which one do you think is better, MATTE 1080P IPS vs. GLOSSY QHD+ 3200x1600? Will 1080P have better battery life? The difference in costs is only £6. I've started a new thread here:

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/foru...1080p-MATTE-vs-QHD-GLOSSY&p=305556#post305556

Thank you.

Best to stick to one thread so people can see your progress.

1080 will have better battery, but 3k is a he'll of a lot more real estate, depends what you're going to be using it for. Personally I'd go for 3k for general media and work, excellent for multi windows.

 

[afia2k8]

Best to stick to one thread so people can see your progress.

1080 will have better battery, but 3k is a he'll of a lot more real estate, depends what you're going to be using it for. Personally I'd go for 3k for general media and work, excellent for multi windows.

Laptop ordered with 3K screen . I figured that if it's too glossy I could always put on a Matte Screen Protector on it. I will be applying the thermal paste MX-4 on it myself..

Overall I'm pretty excited. Hopefully it will last me 5-10 years! It won't be used for gaming but rather Multitasking a lot with browsers, PDFs, Word, Excel, trading charts, with the occasional photoshop and video rendering here and there. Most of the time it will be at home connected to a tv and a monitor. Also got another 4gb HyperX RAM separately with 250gb Evo SSD on the way. Shame there's only one 7.5mm HDD space in there, can't afford an mSata SSD just yet.

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 13.3" Glossy QHD+ IPS LED (3200x1800) (Special Offer)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4710MQ (2.50GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
4GB KINGSTON HYPER-X IMPACT 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (1 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 860M - 2.0GB DDR5, 640 CUDA Cores - DirectX® 11
1st Hard Disk
500GB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-7260 HMC (867Mbps, 802.11AC) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
13.3" Optimus Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (62.16WH)
Power Cable
1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
Keyboard Language
13.3" OPTIMUS SERIES BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
DVD Recovery Media
NO DVD RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Quantity
1

 

[afia2k8]

Best to stick to one thread so people can see your progress.

1080 will have better battery, but 3k is a he'll of a lot more real estate, depends what you're going to be using it for. Personally I'd go for 3k for general media and work, excellent for multi windows.

Hi SpyderTracks,

Would you know which Wifi card is better? The one I've selected with AC or the Gigabit Killer 1202? I tried reading online and can't seem to fathom it. Does the one I selected have Intel Widi which is nice to have?

I tried reading this (https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/matrix/236/15/4/0/) and am still unsure which one offers the best speed. I only use the Free routers supplied by the ISP (Sky).

Thank you in advance.

 

[mrducking]

Hi SpyderTracks,

Would you know which Wifi card is better? The one I've selected with AC or the Gigabit Killer 1202? I tried reading online and can't seem to fathom it. Does the one I selected have Intel Widi which is nice to have?

I tried reading this (https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/matrix/236/15/4/0/) and am still unsure which one offers the best speed. I only use the Free routers supplied by the ISP (Sky).

Thank you in advance.

the AC adapter offers more speed, as in amount of data per second, on the other hand, the killer offers more speed but related to latency, meaning less ping, so for your uses the AC is better. i have no idea about widi

hope it helps

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi SpyderTracks,

Would you know which Wifi card is better? The one I've selected with AC or the Gigabit Killer 1202? I tried reading online and can't seem to fathom it. Does the one I selected have Intel Widi which is nice to have?

I tried reading this (https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/matrix/236/15/4/0/) and am still unsure which one offers the best speed. I only use the Free routers supplied by the ISP (Sky).

Thank you in advance.

As mrducking says, killer offers better latency, but no Widi as that's an intel feature which is present on the AC.

 

[afia2k8]

the AC adapter offers more speed, as in amount of data per second, on the other hand, the killer offers more speed but related to latency, meaning less ping, so for your uses the AC is better. i have no idea about widi

hope it helps

As mrducking says, killer offers better latency, but no Widi as that's an intel feature which is present on the AC.

Thanks MrD and Spyder. I'll stick to Intel AC then as I want WiDi too. 3rd working day processing now. Hopefully if they do take their time there will be no problems when I receive it! I regretted getting a 2.5" ssd instead of an msata SSD from Amazon.de though. Oh well, I'll live with it. How long do you expect this laptop to last? It's mostly used as a desktop replacement in one place for multitasking stuff connected to 2 monitors. No gaming as I have an xbox for that.

 

[mrducking]

if it's for work it will probaly last you 4 years or more, as long as you dont need really specific software with super requirements (3D animation, super-computing-databases,....)
im not sure beyond 4 years because there are a lot of new technologies that could come out and change completely the playing field, im hoping more in the line of 6-7 years, because im also buying soon

 

[afia2k8]

if it's for work it will probaly last you 4 years or more, as long as you dont need really specific software with super requirements (3D animation, super-computing-databases,....)
im not sure beyond 4 years because there are a lot of new technologies that could come out and change completely the playing field, im hoping more in the line of 6-7 years, because im also buying soon

Hahaha no supercomputing databases

I've been asking a 4 month owner of the Optimus on some concerns I had on build quality over here. Which he has assured me now.

Are you getting a spec similar to me? Mine is in building stage now Woohoo!