Hybrid and the 5400rpm have different usage:
The main difference for the two is that Hybrid can adjust its own processing speed depending on the memory that you're using, meaning that if its empty or when you're using low memory programs like word document, etc , it automatically use the low rpm while if its full or if you're using high memory usage program like HD gaming (Portal, WoW, other along the line), it automatically increase the rpm. Its usually less power consuming and more reliable if your laptop is portable (if you plug it on and off everyday to bring it to work).
On the downside, its max rpm tend to be lower than the 5400rpm (Most of them are around 3000 - 4500rpm, 5000 at the highest) and it takes some times for it to adjust itself which means it takes several minutes longer to execute the program.Not to mention that it also tend to be a bit peaky and annoying if you're playing Portal or Counter Strike since if you change from standing still to walking, it sometimes will froze or worse, choppy gameplay and... well, most likely your character gonna get a bullet on the head by then.
On the other hand, the 5400rpm is much more fixed rpm and memory usage, it doesn't matter if you're using the low memory program or high memory one since the HD will go at full force all the time. Of course, that means its more reliable if you're using your laptop purely for all out hardcore gaming but it also drains the battery life that much faster meaning your laptop have to be plugged on the power 90% of the time of not more.
Edited by BlackLightning, 26 July 2011 - 02:53 AM.