Scientific research/data analysis laptop

[MSoton]

Hello Everyone,

I would like to ask you what you think of the laptop I have chosen to configure below.


The laptop is intended for running some light/moderate simulations packages (I work in academic research), heavy editing and data processing (mainly through Python scripting etc.), word processing, web browsing and streaming. I have just one absolute requirement, which is that the laptop must be 14''. I can't use any larger screen sizes as I just can't get comfortable with 15.6'' or 17''. I would have liked a more powerful i7 processor, but unfortunately there are none on offer for the 14'' models (and I can't find any other company/brand that offers that either). I have gone with 2TB 660p Intel M.2 NVMe SSD, as I tend to need lots of storage for my work.


Have I made the right choices? Would you choose different specs or build a different model/base to the Lafité?

I have paid for it, but it is still in the processing stage, so I can cancel or amend the order...


Chassis & Display
Lafité Series: Aluminium Chassis: 14" Matte Full HD IPS LED (1920 x 1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Quad Core Processor i7-10510U (1.8GHz, 4.9GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
INTEL® HD GRAPHICS (CPU Dependant) - 1.7GB Max DDR4 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB INTEL® 660p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 1800MB/sR | 1800MB/sW)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor
1 x Lafité Series 40W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
2 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Lafité Series Integrated 3 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (36WH)
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x THUNDERBOLT PORT (USB-C) + 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS
Keyboard Language
LAFITÉ SERIES SINGLE COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

 

[Grinty]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

As you've noticed there aren't many options when it comes to 14" laptops, so the Lafite seems like a fair choice. Personally I prefer the 17" desktop replacements so I don't really know how to compare the smaller chassis.

If you can afford it (and your Python data analysis code is anything like mine) I'd go for 32GB of RAM. Even if you can't it's still worth spending a little more to get 2x8GB sticks instead of 1x16GB. The CPU has two DRAM controllers, so by having two sticks you have double the memory bandwidth which should reduce the time the CPU spends waiting for data from RAM.

The storage is a tricky one. If there was a 2TB 7200rpm hard disk option I'd recommend going for that and a smaller (<=512GB) M.2 drive since it's pretty rare to want fast access to everything on your disk. As it stands you can save about £60 by going for the 1TB 7200rpm and the 1TB Intel M.2 drive.

If you're going to be using Wi-Fi a lot, the upgraded card is an extra £10 but has much better maximum throughput.

Finally, get the Silver warranty. It's only £5 but it extends the collect & return period by 11 months, which is great if you end up needing it.

 

[Charlas]

If size is the issue, look at not the screen size but the whole chassis, most 15's are now smaller overall than old school 14's, 17's are now 15' sizes.

And ifnyour doing scientific style workloads, go AMD, you will thank yourself for it.

Stocknto multi channel not single channel memory (so 2x8 or 2x16)

As for disk, only you will know your data load and retention requirements for the data sets your working with.

 

[MSoton]

If size is the issue, look at not the screen size but the whole chassis, most 15's are now smaller overall than old school 14's, 17's are now 15' sizes.

And ifnyour doing scientific style workloads, go AMD, you will thank yourself for it.

Stocknto multi channel not single channel memory (so 2x8 or 2x16)

As for disk, only you will know your data load and retention requirements for the data sets your working with.

Thanks for the feedback Charlas and Grinty.

@Charlas how do I go AMD? I would if I could, but there aren't many configurable 14'' AMD laptops offered around, and to my knowledge, PCSPECIALIST doesn't offer AMD processors for their 14'' variants.

 

[Charlas]

They have the DTR products in the 15.6 ones, but they are meant to be getting some 4000 series a ryzen chassis soon, and bet one of them will be 14,might be worth ringing see if they have date for the Renoir parts becoming available.