I don't want to disappoint you but choosing AMD processor will make you regret later Especially when you going for a HP laptop. I am not against AMD but they are not that good at present but they will be back soon. Better choose an Intel-i5 you will really love it eg (Samsung NP370R5E-S05IN, Lenovo Essential G500s (59-388254), Acer Aspire V3 571G(NX.RZNSI.005), Asus K55VM-SX086D).
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.