Basic Skyfire II or upgraded Optimus IV?

[Der Alte Fritz]

Am looking to buy a new 17" laptop and have enough in the £850 budget to afford either:

a basic Skyfire II with 8 Gb RAM and 1 TB HDD

or a Optimus IV with an upgraded CPU. RAM, HDD, Wireless and DVD drive

So is it better to start with a basic Skyfire or upgrade the Optimus for my uses which are:

Office work, spreadsheet, word processing, etc
Web work, browser, downloading, over both network and wireless
Playing music
Managing a large photo library with some photo editing
Watching videos both on the laptop and streamed content including watching TV
Some lightweight gaming

 

[vanthus]

For your budget and uses I would suggest something like this,
Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 17.3" Glossy Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-3320M (2.60GHz) 3MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - Hard Disk
750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
2nd Hard Disk
750GB WD SCORPIO BLUE WD7500BPVT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 8MB CACHE (5400 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® ADVANCED-N 6235 (300Mbps) + 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 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
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 9 to 11 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £864.00 including VAT and delivery.

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/optimusIV-17/HBdHsoq2PW/

 

[moorw003]

Go with the Optimus.

Ignore the other post though, why you'd have that I5, when the I7 at £20 more is much better, or why you'd want 2 SATA hard drives is beyond me.

Up spec your Optimus to the 3630QM, 8GB Ram and a Scorpio Blue 1TB. That comes out at £815 with the silver warranty. Add the £15 discount code and you have the best laptop £800 can buy, and one that will meet cover the tasks you set out perfectly.

 

[Rakk]

Ignore the other post though, why you'd have that I5, when the I7 at £20 more is much better, or why you'd want 2 SATA hard drives is beyond me.

Please try to play nice, you can disagree with people and give your opinions as to why you disagree, but please don't say to ignore other peoples opinions and suggestions - it comes across as very rude!

 

[vanthus]

Go with the Optimus.

Ignore the other post though, why you'd have that I5, when the I7 at £20 more is much better, or why you'd want 2 SATA hard drives is beyond me.

Up spec your Optimus to the 3630QM, 8GB Ram and a Scorpio Blue 1TB. That comes out at £815 with the silver warranty. Add the £15 discount code and you have the best laptop £800 can buy, and one that will meet cover the tasks you set out perfectly.

Yes,as you say an i7 would be better.Having said that having a second hard drive has it's advantages,apart from the obvious,more space,it can also be used to store a system image backup like I do,very handy at times I can assure you.

 

[Tiger Feet]

Go with the Optimus.

Add the £15 discount code

Sorry for hijacking this thread but I would just like to know; where is the £15 discount code for the Optimus IV shown?

Secondly for another question: I have chosen my new specs as shown below but I have chosen 'Standard Thermal Paste for Sufficient Cooling' instead of 'Arctic MX-4 Extreme Thermal Conductivity Compound.' Will this be sufficient with the components chosen? I am not a big gamer if that helps and I will probably be getting a cooling stand.

Cheers

Product Category Product Description
Chassis & Display Optimus Series: 17.3" Glossy Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-3740QM (2.70GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM) 24GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (3 x 8GB)
Graphics Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 240GB INTEL® 520 SERIES SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
2nd Hard Disk 750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE
(7200 rpm)
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 STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
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 7 Professional 64 Bit w/SP1 - 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 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 9 to 11 working days
Price Ex VAT £1080.83
Price £1297.00
Quantity 1
Total Order Price EX VAT £1080.83
Total VAT Amount £216.17
Total Order Price £1297.00

 

[Rakk]

Sorry for hijacking this thread but I would just like to know; where is the £15 discount code for the Optimus IV shown?

Please do not answer this, the codes are also used to see how well advertising is working so if someone says in these forums exactly where they found the code, it would completely invalidate or at least scew the advertising success rate data (as far as I know).

 

[steaky360]

Secondly for another question: I have chosen my new specs as shown below but I have chosen 'Standard Thermal Paste for Sufficient Cooling' instead of 'Arctic MX-4 Extreme Thermal Conductivity Compound.' Will this be sufficient with the components chosen? I am not a big gamer if that helps and I will probably be getting a cooling stand.

I'm sure the standard thermal paste will be sufficient, if it wasn't PCS would make you aware. The Arctic MX-4 may just provide slightly lower temps on the CPU. I don't think it is too much to upgrade to the Arctic MX-4 if you are concerned about temperatures might be a worthwhile addition.

 

[Der Alte Fritz]

I am sorry but I do not agree with this statement. This is the kind of answer given by DELL and is why I do not buy computers from them anymore.

After all the object of advertising is to spread beyond the advert itself into a wider media. Isn't that the objective behind VIRAL ADVERTS. If you want to track specific adverts you use an advert code then that is linked to a specific advert in a specific media.

Put it another way, if I do not find the £15 voucher, I will not be placing any order. Your choice.

 

[Rakk]

If you want to track specific adverts you use an advert code then that is linked to a specific advert in a specific media.

What do you think the discount code is? It's entirely a tracking code with an associated discount tagged onto it

Note: I do not work for PCS, but I believe I've seen them state before not to say on the forums where the codes are found cos it spoils their statistics, and so as a moderator, I am asking people not to post the locations of said codes because I believe PCS do not want people to.

If you find the code then feel free to use it (note I've no idea where they are either).

 

[steaky360]

I don't think its meant to be viral advertising to be honest. As Rakk has said above PCS (or an employee) have requested people do not post the codes or their locations in these forums. I would imagine PCS wish to track the effectiveness of the advert to determine if it is worthwhile spending more on that medium or whether it is not generating enough sales to justify the cost.

If you look about I am sure you would be able to find it though - it is not meant to be hidden lol.

 

[moorw003]

TBH stating that that a discount voucher exists should be enough for anyone at least half savvy... spend the 30 seconds looking for it yourself lol.

 

[Tiger Feet]

What do you think the discount code is? It's entirely a tracking code with an associated discount tagged onto it

Note: I do not work for PCS, but I believe I've seen them state before not to say on the forums where the codes are found cos it spoils their statistics, and so as a moderator, I am asking people not to post the locations of said codes because I believe PCS do not want people to.

If you find the code then feel free to use it (note I've no idea where they are either).

Rakk,

It was a valid question. I have just placed an order for £1300 worth of laptop that is being paid for by charities as I am disabled (a tetraplegic). I have spent 3 months fund raising the money. £15 might not be a lot to you but to me it is so why should I not ask? I did not know it was against "your rules."

I thought these forums were to help people with purchasing a laptop, not hinder them with statements like yours.

So now I shall ask PC Specialist DIRECTLY. Is that okay with you Boss?

@ Steaky360, thank you for your very helpful advice.

Cheers

 

[Rakk]

I thought these forums where to help people with purchasing a laptop, not hinder them with statements like yours.

So now I shall ask PC Specialist DIRECTLY. Is that okay with you Boss?

All I was doing was stating the forum rules as far as I know on the subject.

If I can across as rude I apologise I was not meaning to - sometimes I can be a bit blunt (I'm moving house in the next few days, I'm incredible stressed at the moment, so that may not have helped matters)

 

[vanthus]

Rakk was only saying what PCS have already said on these forums.

 

[Tiger Feet]

Rakk was only saying what PCS have already said on these forums.

Well I have not seen anywhere where PCS have posted this and if they have, how would I or anybody else know?

£15 would help me buy a cooling stand that I would probably have bought from PCS anyway along with £9 for the better thermal paste.

Perhaps PCS can confirm this themselves in these forums.

Cheers

 

[steaky360]

Well I have not seen anywhere where PCS have posted this and if they have, how would I or anybody else know?

£15 would help me by a cooling stand that I would probably have bought from PCS anyway along with £9 for the better thermal paste.

Perhaps PCS can confirm this themselves in these forums.

Cheers

PCS originally posted regarding this here: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?12575-I-know-this-is-a-bit-sleezy-but/page2&highlight=discount+code

But you are certainly correct - new members wouldn't know without looking. Might be worthwhile adding this to the FAQ/Rules?

 

[Rakk]

But you are certainly correct - new members wouldn't know without looking. Might be worthwhile adding this to the FAQ/Rules?

Though I'm not sure how many actually read them, you don't want to know how many duplicate posts end up in the moderation queue cos people think their posts have disappeared, when all it is is that they're in the mod queue waiting for approval
(sorry, I'm in an even more cynical mood than normal at the moment)