Ultrabook: i5-4300U versus i5-5200U / 5300U

[-rascal-]

I am up and around looking for a light & portable laptop for my school (and trip) needs. I had considered a Surface (Pro) in the past, but an laptop seems to be more of my preference.

 

The laptops, or should I say Ultrabooks, I have in mind are the Lenovo "Business" Ultrabooks.

NCIX currently had the previous model T450 on sale for $799.99, and it comes with a "Haswell" i5-4300U chip. http://www.ncix.com/detail/lenovo-thinkpad-t450-i5-4300u-vpro-23-110957-1277.htm

The current models of the T450 come with a "Broadwell" i3, i7, or i5-5200U or 5300U.

 

Mobile CPU's isn't my domain with PC hardware, so I am wondering if I may get some kind assistance from the LTT community.

Is there much performance (and battery life) difference to choose the newer models over the previous?

 

I am hoping have a portable device that I can keep until the end of my Engineering studies (about a year left; two academic terms, and a pile of work experience terms), and a bit afterwards. This is partly my initial reason for choosing the Lenovo T series. Plus, the double (front and rear) battery is a neat concept.

 

If you have any other recommendations that you believe is better, I am all ears.

 

Consider some requirements I wish to have:

• 14" or smaller (I have a 15.6" ASUS and I find it heavy to haul around. Plus my brother has claimed it for himself.)
• Light-weight
• Acceptable battery life -- preferably 6-8 hours or more (I can easily spend 17+ hours on school campus so...I know, it's pretty ridiculous)
• Ability to upgrade the internal components (i.e. DRAM and SSD. preferred, but not necessary)

[Imabigmac]

You don't happen to go to UVic? 

 

And what would your budget be for this device you seek? 

 

5000 series should be broadwell instead of haswell, if my knowledge is correct. Broadwell chips should make for longer battery life and updated 5500 graphics.The i5 is really just a lower clocked i7. 

 

The 4300 has twice the TDP as the 5300U, so theoretically there should be a big difference. 

 

The upgraded iGPU, in broadwell performs significantly better - but much less something with Iris Pro graphics like macbook pros. 

 

Not much in the Ultrabook world will let you upgrade Ram as its commonly soldered on, but most if not all have mSATA ssd or M.2 witch can be swapped out. 

 

This is pretty specific comparison, http://www.ultrabookreview.com/6146-intel-core-i5-5200u/ 

[Theguywhobea]

I've used an i5-4200u that was in my Zbox EN760, and an i5-5200u that is in my Alienware 13, as far as I could tell there was almost no difference. I can't speak to battery life but I suspect the i5-5200u performs only slightly better.

[ZetZet]

biggest difference between generations of intel U cpu's is iGPU performance. It's pretty big too.

[-rascal-]

You don't happen to go to UVic? 

 

And what would your budget be for this device you seek? 

 

5000 series should be broadwell instead of haswell, if my knowledge is correct. Broadwell chips should make for longer battery life and updated 5500 graphics.The i5 is really just a lower clocked i7. 

 

Yep, the ol' UVic alright.

 

I'd like to keep the price under $1000 if that is possible.

 

Correct, the 5000 series is a "Boradwell" architecture.

[Imabigmac]

Yep, the ol' UVic alright.

 

I'd like to keep the price under $1000 if that is possible.

 

Correct, the 5000 series is a "Boradwell" architecture.

Cool I'm at Uvic as well - Not engineering though - Comp sci to be correct

 

I updated my original post with some more stuff. 

[-rascal-]

Cool I'm at Uvic as well - Not engineering though - Comp sci to be correct

 

I updated my original post with some more stuff. 

 

Nice, nice.

 

Awesome, thanks for the information.

 

 

Here me out, The Lenovo T series has a 120-page service manual, and a portion of the parts can be serviced via removing a few panels held on by screws.

 

You can resolve some problems with your product with a replacement part you can install yourself, called a “Customer Replaceable Unit” or “CRU.” Some CRUs are designated as self-service CRUs and others are designated as optional-service CRUs.

...

...

Optional-service CRUs: These CRUs are isolated parts within the computer that are concealed by an access panel that is typically secured by more than two screws. Once the access panel is removed, the specific CRU is visible

 

In the table of component, these are listed as "Yes" under optional-service CRU.

• Memory modules (DRAM)
• Coin-cell battery
• Hard disk or Solid State Drive
• Keyboard (surprisingly)

[-rascal-]

I've used an i5-4200u that was in my Zbox EN760, and an i5-5200u that is in my Alienware 13, as far as I could tell there was almost no difference. I can't speak to battery life but I suspect the i5-5200u performs only slightly better.

 

 

biggest difference between generations of intel U cpu's is iGPU performance. It's pretty big too.

 

Mm...I was assuming the i5-5200U/5300U would perform significantly better -- considering very minor IPC improvement, but significant increase in CPU operating frequency.

One thing is for certain, iGPU is quite a bit better performance-wise.

 

 

Hmmm....decisions before the sale ends...