Laptop Specs + Questions

[chrisjraby]

Hi All,

Have spent weeks researching and deliberating which setup to go for (and with Christmas getting ever closer), I'm finally getting close to proceeding with the purchase now.

There are a few things in my mind that I can't quite decide on though, so if anyone can help me with the below questions it would be most appreciated.

• Chassis - I've seen a few comments regarding the fans on the Optimus V having problems; is the Optimus V a wise choice or should I be looking to spend more and get a Vortex?
  
• Windows - I've used Windows 7 for the past few years and never had an issue with it, but I'm starting to think that 8.1 would be a better choice. Are there any drawbacks to getting 8.1 other than the lack of the F8 boot options?
  
• Hard Drive vs SSD - This is the big question for me. I've read a lot online about how OS installations on SSDs are more stable and faster booting, but is the difference substantial enough to warrant having both an SSD and an HDD installed in the laptop?

I work as a web developer so the laptop needs to have good performance using the adobe suites and the likes of netbeans, but I would also like the ability to play games on it (an example would be Civilisation 5).

Ideally I would like to keep the cost to around the level it is now, but I would like to make it as future proof as possible, so I might cough up a little extra cost to guarantee that.

The specs I've gone for at this stage are the following:

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4700MQ (2.40GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 765M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - Hard Disk
750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND (£9)
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® ULTIMATE N-6300 (450Mbps)
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
Optimus Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Keyboard Language
OPTIMUS SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £864.00 including VAT and delivery.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Chris.

(just realised this may be in the wrong section, apologies!)

 

[keynes]

Regarding the choice of chassis it depends on your budget and type of games you play. If your budget is £1000 or under a better choice will be the Optimus rather than the vortex chassis. I don't think SSDs are more stable than regular drives but they are fast. As long as you don't compromise in other components it is nice to have one.

 

[SmokeDarKnight]

Hi Chris, your specification looks good to me

In responce to your


Chassis - I've seen a few comments regarding the fans on the Optimus V having problems; is the Optimus V a wise choice or should I be looking to spend more and get a Vortex? I have a vortex and i find the cooling with the system amazing, very sturdy build an i would easy buy another one, however i haven't owned an Optimums so cannot give a truthful comparison sorry. All i can say is that mine is two years old and still going strong, its a Vortex 2. With a little TLC with regards to cleaning i.e keeping the vents dust free its amazing. Easy to maintain.
Windows - I've used Windows 7 for the past few years and never had an issue with it, but I'm starting to think that 8.1 would be a better choice. Are there any drawbacks to getting 8.1 other than the lack of the F8 boot options? Windows 8 does come with boot options but you have to tell it you want a special boot, its hidden away in the Windows 8.1 menu and then you restart and you can then select different options. I use Windows 8.1 with a program called Start 8 think its about $5 and it lets you control when you see the Metro and brings back the Start Button exactly as it is in windows 7 with options to customize if you wish.
Hard Drive vs SSD - This is the big question for me. I've read a lot online about how OS installations on SSDs are more stable and faster booting, but is the difference substantial enough to warrant having both an SSD and an HDD installed in the laptop? I havent entered into the SSD market myself, i have a 7200 rpm 500GB HDD and my boot up time is about 4 seconds at the moment, loading times in game are great and for that i personally dont have a requirement for SSD at the moment. It comes down to personal preference though.

If you can stretch to the Vortex i would consider this, it also has a more powerful Graphics Card

Chassis & Display
Vortex Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4700MQ (2.40GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 770M - 3.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - Hard Disk
500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND (£9)
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N WI-FI CARD
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Firewire
1 X 1394a FIREWIRE PORT
Battery
Vortex Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8.1 Professional 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£109)
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard Language
INTEGRATED UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £1,082.00 including VAT and delivery.

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/vortexIV-LE/eQILHMVWfU/

Dont worry about the section think your right enough.

Hope this helps bud.

 

[chrisjraby]

Thanks for the responses fellas.

Regarding the choice of chassis it depends on your budget and type of games you play. If your budget is £1000 or under a better choice will be the Optimus rather than the vortex chassis. I don't think SSDs are more stable than regular drives but they are fast. As long as you don't compromise in other components it is nice to have one.

My thinking was that the money saved from using the Optimus chassis would pay for better specs, but obviously cooling is a big thing. I think I will do some calculations and see what I can cut out to afford the better chassis, and if it doesn't impact the specs too much, maybe I'll take a punt.

Hi Chris, your specification looks good to me

In responce to your

Chassis - I've seen a few comments regarding the fans on the Optimus V having problems; is the Optimus V a wise choice or should I be looking to spend more and get a Vortex? I have a vortex and i find the cooling with the system amazing, very sturdy build an i would easy buy another one, however i haven't owned an Optimums so cannot give a truthful comparison sorry. All i can say is that mine is two years old and still going strong, its a Vortex 2. With a little TLC with regards to cleaning i.e keeping the vents dust free its amazing. Easy to maintain.
Windows - I've used Windows 7 for the past few years and never had an issue with it, but I'm starting to think that 8.1 would be a better choice. Are there any drawbacks to getting 8.1 other than the lack of the F8 boot options? Windows 8 does come with boot options but you have to tell it you want a special boot, its hidden away in the Windows 8.1 menu and then you restart and you can then select different options. I use Windows 8.1 with a program called Start 8 think its about $5 and it lets you control when you see the Metro and brings back the Start Button exactly as it is in windows 7 with options to customize if you wish.
Hard Drive vs SSD - This is the big question for me. I've read a lot online about how OS installations on SSDs are more stable and faster booting, but is the difference substantial enough to warrant having both an SSD and an HDD installed in the laptop? I havent entered into the SSD market myself, i have a 7200 rpm 500GB HDD and my boot up time is about 4 seconds at the moment, loading times in game are great and for that i personally dont have a requirement for SSD at the moment. It comes down to personal preference though.

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/vortexIV-LE/eQILHMVWfU/

Dont worry about the section think your right enough.

Hope this helps bud.

Vortex chassis sounds good, laptop cooling always worries me so it may be wiser to look at the Vortex than the Optimus in that case.

If that's the case regarding the HDD then I could probably write that off for now; I guess the extra HDD bay means that I could always install an SSD in the future if needs be!

 

[chrisjraby]

Just wrote a huge response and it looks like it didn't post!

Thanks for your help fellas; I think I may give the Vortex chassis a better look, and if I can afford it without compromising on specs, I'll take a punt on it.

Cheers.

(never mind, was obviously delayed!)

 

[SlimCini]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa SmokeDarkKnight... your bootup time is 4 seconds???

 

[chrisjraby]

Put my order through in the end; decided to go for the Optimus chassis so that I could stick an SSD in to install my OS/some games on. Hopefully that will be a wise decision but after a lot of research online I'm still not 100% sure haha.

Spec as follows:

Chassis & Display Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4700MQ (2.40GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM) 8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 765M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
2nd Graphics Card NONE
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 120GB KINGSTON HYPERX 3K SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 555MB/sR | 510MB/sW)
2nd Hard Disk 750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
RAID NONE
SSD CACHE DRIVE NONE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® ULTIMATE N-6300 (450Mbps)
Wireless Router/HomePlugs NONE
USB Options 3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery Optimus Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Cable 1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
Operating System Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
DVD Recovery Media Windows 8.1 (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Laptop Cooling Stands NONE
Carry Case NONE
Monitor NONE
Keyboard Language OPTIMUS SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Keyboard & Mouse NONE
Mouse INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Gaming Mouse Pad NONE
Speakers NONE
Webcam INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Headsets NONE
Surge Protection NONE
Printer NONE
External Hard Drive NONE
Warranty 3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Home Installation NONE
Dead Pixel Guarantee NONE
Insurance NONE
Data Recovery NONE
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days

 

[SmokeDarKnight]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa SmokeDarkKnight... your bootup time is 4 seconds???

Yeah its a bit of a cheat really, windows 8 doesn't properly shut down ever, even if you tell it to shut down it uses hibernation, just timed it again there and it was more like 6 but its quick, really quick.

 

[Genome]

Got the Optimus V a couple of weeks ago and the Fan issue isnt an issue at all. Its basically people that have never used a gaming PC before complaining that its loud. It is loud compared to a non gaming laptop but is still quieter than a desktop.

I have been playing Tomb raider, Battlefield 4 and max payne 3 and my Laptop hasn't felt hot anywhere and run perfectly. I really wouldn't worry.

Do however get a cooling pad because they help loads with any laptop (especially gaming ones). The constant air flow to the base of the system makes a huge difference.

 

[keynes]

Its basically people that have never used a gaming PC before complaining that its loud.

From what I have read is mainly the fan noise when idle or not gaming or the fan speed varying which sounds unusual.

 

[Genome]

Yeah I did hear that but I think its because they are not using cooling pads. Without one pretty much every laptop has very limited space to suck in air, so I imagine even idle would get a little warm and need the fans to spin up. With the cool pad it hardly ever spins up on light use (web browsing, downloading etc etc) and never seems to do it while idle.

However that is just my own experience.

 

[chrisjraby]

Now on my 8th working day of pre-production, hopefully all is well and it's just the Xmas rush!

 

[Genome]

Now on my 8th working day of pre-production, hopefully all is well and it's just the Xmas rush!

I wouldnt worry about it. It is fairly normal for it to stay in pre-production for that long. They are just busy and like you say... its xmas.

 

[chrisjraby]

Edit - Fixed the issue now!