New multi-purpose Laptop

[Pilgrimage to Paradise]

Hi all, just joined because I'm contemplating a laptop build, I generally use a desktop but I like the idea of portability. I've spec'd up the following, let me know what you think

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-3630QM (2.40GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON HYPER-X GENESIS 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (2 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
240GB KINGSTON HYPERX 3K SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 555MB/sR | 510MB/sW)
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 (£9)
Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ HD-Audiophile-Grade Sound External (£82)
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® N135 802.11N (150Mbps) + BLUETOOTH
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 Professional 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£109)
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Intel Anti-Theft Technology
FREE 90 Day Intel Anti-Theft Trial - Prevent Data Access upon Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
FAST TRACK 3 WORKING DAY DISPATCH (£69)

Basically I need it to be quick, both processing and reading/writing data. I would like the ability to play some games, not necessarily on max but it'd be a good time waster. Sound is important for media work. Otherwise what made me decide to look into getting one sorted now is my folks would like to borrow it when they go away in a couple of weeks, needed something able to browse the web and check emails on (I think I may have just covered these requirements lol).

I need to order it soon, and the 3 working day dispatch thing is my only available option to ensure it's here and ready for them to take.

Anyway, this is my hello to the forum and let me know what you think.

 

[Toxophilix]

Nice build.

I'd get the Silver warranty (only £5).

Regarding sound, I assume you'll be using headphones when you want good quality anyway, but do be aware that reviews of the Optimus's built-in speakers are ... mixed.

Oh, and Windows 8 Pro - is there an advantage to that beyond the downgrade rights? (As you can just buy Windows 7 straight off here.)

 

[Pilgrimage to Paradise]

Yeah sound would purely be through headphones, the speakers might be ok for casual use but I have a couple sets of headphones I use for work. I went with Windows 8 to get a copy on disc, I have a Windows 7 disc I could use but it wouldn't hurt to have it available to me.

Silver warranty will be added, only £5 as you said

 

[Toxophilix]

Well, I was wondering if you actually needed the 'pro' version of Windows 8 - unless it's because you want the "downgrade rights" in case you don't like it much, I can totally understand that

 

[Pilgrimage to Paradise]

Oh right yeah, I ended up knocking it down to Standard Edition as I have 7 available so don't need downgrade rights and including dead pixel guarantee for a year & a blu-ray writer instead.