I am researching to buy a new laptop and which is better HD RPM?

cabbage · 29 Sep 2011

Hi different laptops came with different RPM values.
Basically I find HD's with 5400 RPM and 7200 RPM.
I comprehend this as faster the spin speed quicker it access the information from the HD and perhaps quicker the HD start to fail?

Not so sure of my hypothesis.

Perhaps in normal family computer usage RPM does not matter much but which is better to go with?

I find Sony VAIO come with 5400 RPM and Dell come with 7200 RPM once all other are uniform [Intel i5 2410 2.30GHz, 4GB RAM 1333GHz, Graphic : AMD Radeon HD 6470M 512GB in Sony and AMD Radeon HD 6630M 1GB in Dell,]

Sony has HM 65 Express chipset and Dell HM 67 Express chipset.

Which is more reliable? Does any body know if Dell Vostro 3550 the VAIO SB1V9E better of the two with reliability is concerned?

Regards

pparks1 · 29 Sep 2011

I would always opt for a 7,200RPM drive as a minimum for running an operating system. Even on a laptop. I've had a few laptops, all with 7,200 RPM drives and they don't have shorter lives or problems over 5,400 RPM drives. They do consume a "bit" more power which will effect battery life, but it's such a small amount of power that I highly doubt it would impact performance by as much as 1%.

Bongo · 29 Sep 2011

7200 RPM all the way, I just changed the hard drive in my laptop from a 5400 to a 7200 and it is much faster!
Jerry

maxseven · 29 Sep 2011

I wouldn't use hdd rpm as the basis for making the decision. Get the laptop you want.

Speed is all relative (to whatever else you use/have access to)--you might never notice one vs. the other (but for my money I'd buy the Dell).