Am I doing this right?

[TimJohnson517]

My current HP Pavilion laptop is old...
I have removed the dvd and replaced it with the original HDD, the boot drive is now a 256GB SSD. 16GB RAM (To the max and no doubt more than I need) I have replaced the screen as lines were constantly seen on it and I attempted to change the keyboard to a backlit one as I was informed there was an extra port for it... There wasn't, so my original is back in, if a little slightly worse for wear.
The attached file is my new configuration and my main concern is this:
Would this be the best set up for primary & secondary drive? Would an HDD secondary slow the normal running down?
I have only chosen 1 x stick of 8GB RAM so might upgrade to 16 if needed.
My normal use is surfing internet, some light work stuff (mainly word docs etc. and storing films etc to watch on train journeys etc. Gaming use is strictly for the phone and XBox.
Thanks people.

This comes to £650 and to tell the truth, I wouldn't be comfortable going much higher with the budget.

Chassis & Display UltraNote Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 60Hz 45% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)

Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™ i5 Quad Core Processor i5-10210U (1.6GHz, 4.2GHz Turbo) Memory (RAM) 8GB Corsair 2400MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 8GB)

Graphics Card INTEL® HD GRAPHICS (CPU Dependant) - 1.7GB Max DDR4 Video RAM - DirectX® 12

1st Storage Drive 128GB PCS 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (500MB/R, 400MB/W)

1st M.2 SSD Drive 128GB ADATA SX6000 LITE M.2 2280 (1800 MB/R, 1200 MB/W)

Memory Card Reader Integrated SD Memory Card Reader AC Adaptor 1 x 40W AC Adaptor

Power Cable 1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable

Battery UltraNote Series Integrated 36WH Lithium Ion Battery

Sound Card Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack Bluetooth & Wireless WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0 USB/Thunderbolt Options 1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 1 x USB 3.2 PORT + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS Keyboard Language MULTI COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD

Operating System Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002] 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 365® (Operating System Required) Anti-Virus BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode

Browser Firefox™

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 7 to 9 working days

Welcome Book PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

 

[SpyderTracks]

Can you post the full specs here? We can't open pdf's as they can contain viruses and aren't safe.

Can you also post your maximum budget also?

 

[TimJohnson517]

All updated now, thanks for your help.

 

[Charlas]

Rather than 2 128gb I'd just opt for one larger one, leaves room for expansion then.

 

[TimJohnson517]

Thanks, do you think a 2.5" SATA SSD or 1TB HDD from my old one would transfer across as a secondary storage if I did that?
(Trying to think of ways not to waste the old if possible.)

 

[SpyderTracks]

Yes, you could fit the old 1Tb HDD from the old one as a storage drive, that would be fine.

I would just select 1 primary M2 drive of 500Gb for the OS and programs.

Also, you can carry your existing windows license over and save further on the windows cost.

 

[TimJohnson517]

Music to my ears.
This is the most I'll have spent on a laptop so every penny counts. I'll reconfigure and see what price pops up, thanks.

 

[SpyderTracks]

This is how to transfer your license, so you'd order the build without windows and then if you need help installing it when you get the laptop we can talk you through it, doesn't take long these days and is very easy:

How to link your Windows 10 product key to a Microsoft account

If you're using a local account, use this guide to link your Windows 10 product key to your Microsoft account for easier re-activation.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[TimJohnson517]

Help on this site is second to none.

 

[TimJohnson517]

Just been looking through your link.
It turns out I have no product code but a digital license which has been linked to my Microsoft account. I see no Emails with any information, but I do remember getting a free Windows upgrade from Windows 8 a few year back. Would you foresee any problems for me to install the OS?
Also, could my secondary HDD be transferred across, leaving my films etc in situ?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Charlas]

If the drive will fit in the chassis then sure, no issue at all. So has to be a 2.5" sata 2/3 drive and you should be ok.

As for license yeah lots of people got the freebie from 7/8 days, the digital license should work fine as long as its not in use elsewhere.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Just been looking through your link.
It turns out I have no product code but a digital license which has been linked to my Microsoft account. I see no Emails with any information, but I do remember getting a free Windows upgrade from Windows 8 a few year back. Would you foresee any problems for me to install the OS?
Also, could my secondary HDD be transferred across, leaving my films etc in situ?
Thanks in advance.

As long as it’s tied to your MS account then it will carry over to the new build.

 

[TimJohnson517]

Sorry to keep going on but I want to get this right before I place the order.
As far as I know, the OS is installed on my boot drive (SSD) I'm going to use this as an external once I have my new laptop. Should I leave this one as is, just in case the OS won't transfer using the digital license? Then when everything is up and running I can then format it to use as storage?

(Hopefully, once this is answered I can shut up and buy the bleeding thing!)

 

[SpyderTracks]

As far as I know, the OS is installed on my boot drive (SSD) I'm going to use this as an external once I have my new laptop. Should I leave this one as is, just in case the OS won't transfer using the digital license? Then when everything is up and running I can then format it to use as storage?

It's up to you, it's not the OS that's transferring, just the license, you'd still have to install the OS on the new system.

 

[Charlas]

Sorry to keep going on but I want to get this right before I place the order.
As far as I know, the OS is installed on my boot drive (SSD) I'm going to use this as an external once I have my new laptop. Should I leave this one as is, just in case the OS won't transfer using the digital license? Then when everything is up and running I can then format it to use as storage?

(Hopefully, once this is answered I can shut up and buy the bleeding thing!)

Can format it after your up and running, no issues there, and no real need to do it now. As for the license and stuff, just make sure your logged into your Windows machine, launch Settings app > Update & Security > Activation page.

The Activation status should say if your license is linked to your Microsoft account: Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.

As long as it does, then you should be good to transfer it to the new pc.

 

[TimJohnson517]

Can format it after your up and running, no issues there, and no real need to do it now. As for the license and stuff, just make sure your logged into your Windows machine, launch Settings app > Update & Security > Activation page.

The Activation status should say if your license is linked to your Microsoft account: Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.

As long as it does, then you should be good to transfer it to the new pc.

Therefore, correct me if I'm wrong, I can,
1: Transfer my second storage drive into my new laptop.
2: Remove my old SSD & place it into an external enclosure then install windows 10 from a flash drive into my new laptop.
3: Plug my external drive into the laptop & retrieve my license from that external drive?
#totalnoviceheresorry.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Therefore, correct me if I'm wrong, I can,
1: Transfer my second storage drive into my new laptop.
2: Remove my old SSD & place it into an external enclosure then install windows 10 from a flash drive into my new laptop.
3: Plug my external drive into the laptop & retrieve my license from that external drive?
#totalnoviceheresorry.

No, to install windows you'd use the latest windows image onto a USB from here:

Download Windows 10

Then once you've installed, you'd log in with the microsoft account that you linked your windows 10 license to, and that would automatically license it.

 

[Charlas]

The laptop will come with windows installed, just not activated from pcs (perfectly legal) so unless you really want to fresh install then do as sudgested above, but no need to faf with old windows drive at all. Your license is digitally attached to your Microsoft account.

 

[SpyderTracks]

The laptop will come with windows installed, just not activated from pcs (perfectly legal) so unless you really want to fresh install then do as sudgested above, but no need to faf with old windows drive at all. Your license is digitally attached to your Microsoft account.

You can't use the test installation as it won't be configured and will cause issues with BSODS and major issues like that.

Full reinstall is always advised if ordered without windows.

 

[Charlas]

You can't use the test installation as it won't be configured and will cause issues with BSODS and major issues like that.

Full reinstall is always advised if ordered without windows.

Fair enough, although can't see why it would be unstable if its just a Windows install, personally I always re-install fresh, usually on a 6-12 month schedule anyhow. Just thought might be easier for people not ofey with it.