I don't think I can possibly understate how much of a difference having an SSD instead of an HDD as the system drive makes for how fast the computer feels in general use.
Take this computer for $400.
It comes with a slower processor, 6GB RAM, with $100 you can get a 128GB SSD to put in the laptop and an external enclosure for the original HDD to use as a backup drive.
Take this computer for $400.
It comes with a slower processor, 6GB RAM, with $100 you can get a 128GB SSD to put in the laptop and an external enclosure for the original HDD to use as a backup drive.