i5 is a bit faster, has more cache.
The thing with the different iWhatever intel chips is they start with the most expensive, and defective ones get sold under cheaper names. So Xeon is the "proper" one at ££££££, then the ones that don't meet that level of quality control get called i7, the ones that aren't good enough to be i7s get labeled i5, and so on and so on. A bit like car trim levels.
But it's 2014 by the inch of its teeth. So even something like an i3 is more than fast enough to get anything done, unless you're a mad scientist.
So stick with i3 and see what's the most RAM and hard disc space you can get for your money. 4GB ram is okay, for now, but in a couple years will seem cramped.
The thing with the different iWhatever intel chips is they start with the most expensive, and defective ones get sold under cheaper names. So Xeon is the "proper" one at ££££££, then the ones that don't meet that level of quality control get called i7, the ones that aren't good enough to be i7s get labeled i5, and so on and so on. A bit like car trim levels.
But it's 2014 by the inch of its teeth. So even something like an i3 is more than fast enough to get anything done, unless you're a mad scientist.
So stick with i3 and see what's the most RAM and hard disc space you can get for your money. 4GB ram is okay, for now, but in a couple years will seem cramped.
