Ideapad 310 OR Think Pad E560

Hi everyone,

First experience buying a labtop. Where I live there are currently two options available:
1. Lenovo Idea pad 310 (7th Gen) - Intel Core i5-7200U Processor (2.50 GHz), 4.0GH Ram, 2 Cell Batter

2. Lenovo Think Pad E560 (6th Gen) - i5 6200U (2.3 GHz), 4 GB Memory

What I will need a labtop for:

1. I've started an instagram page which I'm trying to translate into a website. You can say it's somewhat like a blog. For this I create visual content (I use basic photoshop functions, or through a website like Fotor). I will start writing content as well. For the website I will be making it with the help of wix.com. Eventually later this year, hopefully in the next few months I will be purchasing a DSLR and will need to do some basic editing and will need to store these images.

2. I want to start some freelance content work for social media platforms which will involve taking pictures, editing, adobe, having multiple sites / tabs on.

3. Eventually, along with my job, I wanted to use my computer to do other freelance work/ side work as a secondary income source.

4. Other uses: Job hunting, so need to use LinkedIn often, send emails etc. Web browsing(facebook, pinterest, reading articles etc). I spend hours extensively searching content ideas, references, working on presentations.

I'm not much of a movie watcher, but wouldn't mind watching a good movie or show for those times that I'm very bored!

Overall, my own personal laptop (not for my job), where I can make some side income, work on my blog. I'm seeing this laptop as a ticket to building my own life (seriously)

Requirements:
1. Solid Battery Life!
2. Able to have multiple programs open (Normally a few tabs on the Web, adobe photoshop) without the computer getting stuck (a problem I have faced in HPs)
3. I don't need a massive storage space, but I remember using an HP at my workplace (I worked at an ad agency as an account manager so saved big files) and I had to keep making space which was time consuming. I will not be saving such huge files on this labtop, but I should be able to save some Hi-Res Images with ease.


I'm inclined to buy the Thinkpad. Even though the ideapad is cheaper and with the lastest processor, I believe the larger the processor, the more battery is used.

Please note that where I live, I do not have access to the latest models and all varieties, so these are the options available. The most I can do is configure my purchase slightly. And the other labtops are too out of my budget.

Thank you all!

 

The problems you're describing is likely caused by the fact that the machine uses an HDD rather than SSD. SSDs are usually smaller but much snappier and more responsive.

Any CPU ending in "U" is a dual-core ULV that is limited to 15W - they are entry-level and don't offer much in the way of performance - usually slower than a desktop i3/Pentium, regardless of them being "i5" or "i7"

Honestly, I'd suggest looking at an HP ProBook or Dell Vostro - the E series is just not that great. It's entry-level like the Vostro/ProBook but usually costs more for nothing better.

The IdeaPad 310 with it's 2-cell battery should not even be considered. If you want something solid, look for a decent size 4-cell or 6-cell battery. As a minimum.

For any photo/video work - a high Adobe RGB gamut is preferable - that means a higher end IPS screen.

Give us a budget and we'll make a proper recommendation

 

Hi Don, thank you for the reply.

I believe the e560 has a 4cell and IPS screen. My budget is 500 to 600 USD. Unfortunately, where I live (Pakistan) choices are limited. The e560 is costing me somewhere around 600 USD here in Pakistan whereas it's most cheaper in the states. I also do not have any relative Travelling overseas anytime soon. The dells are also higher priced here but will have a look. Can you be more specific about the models for these Dell and HP compuyers.

600usd is a pretty decent budget but too bad for the limitations and lack of choices

 

E560's 1080p IPS screen is okay for media consumption but professional work will likely suffer. Adobe RGB coverage is about 37% and sRGB is closer to 58%. Delta E also requires calibration
source: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo...-Radeon-R7-M370-Notebook-Review.155741.0.html

Battery life, however, is solid at 5-6 hours of web browsing.

If you can, look for a machine with high Adobe RGB coverage as that is important when working with colours (photo edits and video production).

 

Okay so the work I will be doing on Photoshop will not include e.g. print, multiple layers,video etc. This will just involve basic editing, basic designing for Instagram and other social media posts and blog posts. Will it suffice? If not what specs are required for these tasks?

 

Compared to the other option, the 310 with HD TN panel, it seems like a no brainer. The accuracy only matters if the OP cares, which they didn't say.

 

I assumed it mattered since they mentioned video/photo work, which usually requires decent color representation.

 

People have been doing photo work on notebooks long before they even had good screens to offer. I'm not sure color accuracy matters on a blog, unless the OP says it does.