Better Processor or Hybrid Hard Drive for Laptop

[OddballMV]

As a general user, I am looking at different laptops with the following differences:

Intel i7 3520m (dual core 2.9/3.5ghz) and a standard 500gb hard drive (5400rpm), or

Intel i5 3230m (dual core 2.6/3.2ghz) and either a hybrid drive with 8gb of flash storage for caching or a 7200rpm drive

If both are similar prices which would be likely to give better performance? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[qwertywarrior]

ive been buying laptops since 2007

many of them

the biggest bottle neck ull ever experience is the hard drive plain and simple

go with the 3230 u wont regret it

ivy bridge cpus are already amazing

i have a T530 with a 3320 and replaced the slow 5400RPM drive with a samsung 830 ssd :)

[BlackOutCrisis]

Both of those cpu's are pretty similar, I would go with the one with better features IE. dedicated gpu, better screen, more durability. Then go out and get your own SSD for it.

[OddballMV]

Thanks for the suggestions but SSD isn't really an option unfortunately as i need an optical drive and at least 500gb of storage so the only real option for improving the hard drive would be a hybrid drive.

[qwertywarrior]

Thanks for the suggestions but SSD isn't really an option unfortunately as i need an optical drive and at least 500gb of storage so the only real option for improving the hard drive would be a hybrid drive.

go for the hybrid

u wont regret it