Why is this laptop cheaper?

Lieja

Hi all,

I saw this laptop in store today:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-au176sa-15-6-laptop-white-10156934-pdt.html

And looking online I saw this one:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-au078sa-15-6-laptop-gold-10146521-pdt.html?store=2282&cmpid=ppc~gg~(PLA)-LOCAL~~Exact&istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istItemId=xtmmpprarm&istBid=t&srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~1011+%28PLA%29+Windows+Laptops+%26+Convertibles+-+Adaptive~1011+%28PLA%29+Windows+Laptops+%26+Convertibles+ad+group~Exact&mc!!!!!gg_goog_7904&kwid=GOOGLE&s_kwcid=DS!700000001428950!105916003459!!!g!!PRODUCT+GROUP&device=m&ds_kids=92700013443676151&PLA=1&gclid=CKi5xs630dICFaky0wodkxUAZA&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CPnqzM630dICFaOi7QodHTgL5w

The second one looks better on paper (better processor and more memory), so why was it originally cheaper than the first? Can anyone see anything I'm missing which means the first is a better machine?

Thanks in advance

John_Gray

Computer pricing is often based on a marketing group's assessment of where their machine fits in the scheme of currently available machines, and how much they think someone will pay for it. Often the price reduces when other models come out or whether lots of people have bought your model. Big stocks unsold means lower prices.

To me, at first glance, the second looks better (i5 vs i3, 256 GB SSD vs. 128 GB SSD). And of course the second one is Gold!

were

John Gray hit the mark.

The second one (i5 cpu) is on a clearance sale and is an older version of cpu technology, on some benchmarks seem it slightly better too.

That cpu is misleading because they are from different generations and seem to probably have the virtually same processing power as each other, but the i3 is an internal clock speed which is faster by 4% . there are some other bits too, and unsure about the i5 turbo feature.
http://processors.specout.com/compare/1888-1971/Intel-Core-i5-6200U-vs-Intel-Core-i3-7100U
http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/843/Intel_Core_i3_Mobile_i3-7100U_vs_Intel_Core_i5_Mobile_i5-6200U.html
http://www.cpu-monkey.com/en/compare_cpu-intel_core_i3_7100u-654-vs-intel_core_i5_6200u-590

New technology is often the way to go, but old tech has the extra goodies bigger memory, ssd and that i5 cpu could be put into turbo mode? The other question is how the rest of the hardware is interfaced to the chips, and there seems to be no bench marks online for this exact model of i3

Lieja

Thanks so much guys, that's really helpful

I too was swayed by the gold, but then I realised the first one has a gold option too!

I do think the bigger memory might be the winner, only problem is it's collection only from a store 20 miles away and I'm working all week... maybe laziness will actually win the argument.

I'm hoping that for what I would use it for - streaming video, playing music, web browsing and word processing, either processor should be good?

were

to be honest I would opt for the i5, but if i was to connect it up to a new flat panel tv that supported quad hd then i3 has 10 bit support.

How about an ex-display version for £419, but no warranty http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Pavilion-15-au078sa-15-6-Laptop-Intel-Core-i5-6200U-RAM-8GB-256-GB-SSD-W10-/172565599401?hash=item282db614a9:g:gCAAAOSwWxNYvoWO

Here is what hotdeals members say
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hp-pavilion-15-au078sa-15-6-laptop-i5-6200u-8gb-256gb-ssd-484-99-currys-2548229

Lieja

Fab thanks

I hadn't really thought of connecting it to my TV! Part of what I want it for is to stream online content I can't access through my smart tv, so would it be possible to connect these and play through my tv? Or just the i3? Or have I totally misunderstood?

Steve251

Without a doubt go for the i5. Being a different generation processor wont matter as much as the difference between the i3 and the i5.

Lieja

I5 it is, thank you for your help guys

were

Flat pannels support 8 bit via transfer via Hdmi, The better, much more expensive, top of the range, very new, some 4k hd TVs support 10 bits and at least hdmi 2.0. 10 bit data is four times the amount of 8 bit data.

There is also 12 bit out there but not for the general consumer (yet? - get the public to buy into 10 bit, let the technology become cheaper, the in a few years announce 12 bit???). There is also an 8k standard out there but that is for commercial displays (at the moment)

10 bits gives more colours as shown here (dated 2 years ago) http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/Editorial/Featured-Articles/Dont-Buy-That-UHD-TV-It-May-Go-Obsolete-Faster-Than-You-Think-97544.aspx

There are people that will buy into the latest and greatest of TVs, however it is not the MSE way. Still the i3 could be for you, if you are one of these and will use it on a top spec pannel. For the rest of us, i5 is better.

were

Hey just reading my ebuyer email. For today special is a very similar laptop to your i5, but in black for £399.99. Also the Curries prices seem to have risen.

it is a HP 250 G5 i5 Laptop X0Q07ES
http://www.ebuyer.com/762290-hp-250-g5-i5-laptop-x0q07es-x0q07es-abu

Lieja

That's great thank you! My tv is certainly not top of the range (Sainsbury's own range I believe) so i5 is better

I do like the ebuyer one, although no disc drive which is one of my my 'must haves'.

I reserved the i5 for collection so I hope they honour the price!