Your Dell has double the memory and double the storage space. You can run more programs at once and store more files then your brother. You both have standard 2.5 SATA hard drives and they are most likely both 5400RPM, so same speed there. You both probably have on board video graphics, the intel 520 is integrated. I am familiar with the 520, nothing special, basic. Both laptops are probably standard graphics due to the price of your brother's laptop nothing special there. The i7 processor is the price difference here. You paid more money for that. Performance wise you probably won't even notice, but your i7 is most likely "more powerful" than the AMD chip. This is my assumption based on what I know. I would go with an i7 over an A8, and 9 times out of 10, the $900 laptop is going to have a better processor than the one that is $400 (especially when purchased new in a store). As the last person said, model numbers and CPU benchmarks will prove what processor is more powerful.
The important question isn't which one is more powerful, its more like "Did I really need to spend this much for what I need a computer to do?" I think you could have saved some money and bought a laptop that would still do everything you need it to. $900 is expensive if you're just doing homework, browsing, and light light gaming. I am only assuming this is what you do because of the specs of your laptop. If that is what you do, you're good with these specs.
Not that it matters because I'm just some guy on the Internet, but in my experience AMD will give you more bang for buck. You will save money and still get decent performance. Your brother got the better deal in my eyes, but you're system can handle more.
hockeycanuckjc
