Lafite III - Any suggested changes?

[kennylarsen]

Hi All,

It's been a long time since I've done this, but my i3 4gb 13.3 lafite from 4/5 years ago is starting to struggle. I use it for office work, logos Bible software (recommended specs here, I think they overstate the need for graphics https://support.logos.com/hc/en-us/articles/360007554992-Recommended-Hardware-and-Software) with dragon naturally speaking simultaneously. I do a little home photo editing, bit not often and only home photos. Windows Pro is for bitlocker for GDPR for work. I was also thinking about the Vyper, but the weight might be too much. Anything you'd suggest different to the below:

PCSPECIALIST.CO.UK SPECIFICATION
The specification below has been formatted so you can easily copy and paste this to our forums when discussing your specification. Once you've copied the specification, please click here to continue.
Chassis & Display
Lafité Series: Aluminium Chassis: 15.6" Matte Full HD IPS LED (1920 x 1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i5 Quad Core Processor i5-8265U (1.60GHz, 3.9GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
8GB Corsair 2133MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
INTEL® HD GRAPHICS (CPU Dependant) - 1.7GB Max DDR4 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
1st Storage Drive
NOT REQUIRED
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB INTEL® 660p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (upto 1500MB/sR | 1000MB/sW)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 65W AC Adaptor
Battery
Lafité Series 3 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (36WH)
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-9260 M.2 (1.73Gbps, 802.11AC) +BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.1 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
15" LAFITÉ SERIES MULTI COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD (RED)
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
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)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £830.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/lafiteiii-15-red/8!fZz7B42C/

 

[Mustafo95]

Are you going to upgrade the RAM yourself? They work better in dual channel mode. If you'll never upgrade then 2x4 congifuration is better, if you'll upgrade leave it as it is. Or if you have extra money get 12gb or 16gb in dual channel mode. Get the silver warranty for extra £5 too, that never hurts. That's all I can add.

If you want a different laptop, use the comparison tool. You can pick any 3 laptops and see their dimensions, weight side-by-side. Other laptops are indeed 600-800g heavier than Lafite series.

P.S. Is that for real, there is a software for learning the bible? That seems hilariously counter-intuitive.

 

[kennylarsen]

Thanks. I was allowing myself to upgrade the RAM, will 12GB work in dual channel? Back in the day (whenever it was) you needed identical matched pairs for that to work?

Yes, the software is legit. Better to think of it as a means of querying large databases of resources with relatively complex strings, it would be overkill for simply learning the bible

 

[Mustafo95]

Thanks. I was allowing myself to upgrade the RAM, will 12GB work in dual channel? Back in the day (whenever it was) you needed identical matched pairs for that to work?

As far as I know, they're identical pairs in terms of latency, timing, clock speed etc. Only the capacity is different. I myself used 4gb and 2gb back in the day 3-4 years ago and that laptop worked just fine. As long as PCS is doing it and they know what they're doing, you shouldn't have anything to worry about

 

[Oussebon]

If you use an 8gb stick and 4gb stick from different kits, assuming they play nice together and the system posts (not always guaranteed even when it looks like it ought...) then only the first 4gb on that 8gb stick will be dual channel. As far as I understand it: https://www.tomshardware.co.uk/ddr3-dram-faq,review-33220.html

Given falling RAM prices, if adding more RAM in the future, just buy another 8gb stick and be done with it.

Note that the 660p can be relatively slow as NVMe SSDs go. Consider the WD Black.

 

[kennylarsen]

Thanks Oussebon. In the end did two 4gb sticks so they will play nice. I always say I'll upgrade the ram later and haven't for a long time - so I'll not assume I will this time. Worst case I'll just have to buy two 8gb sticks in a couple of years.

Thanks for the heads-up on the drive, did some googling, with my usage patterns and storage needs (I currently cope with a very old 128gb ssd as my only drive!) I'll probably be able to keep a fair amount of the flexible cache available and avoid the worst of the slowdowns. I hope....

I'll post a review once it arrives. Thanks all.