Laptop Spec Help

[ShutterBug365]

The time has now come to look at doing some computer upgrades. I have split this into two threads given one is regarding a desktop and one is regarding a laptop.

Currently rocking a PCS laptop from July 2012. Have been putting of replacing for a while as up until recently the only thing that was giving me issues was the WiFi was so intermittent that I moved to a LAN cable via Homeplug which is far more stable. But now other bits are starting to play up - HDMI not working, long time to physically power off, boot problems, random weird sounds from inside like a shorting sound but I cannot see anything. Given that and there are a couple of games I fancy playing that it is not up to spec for and photo editing is getting slower as RAW files and Photoshop gets more bloated, I think the time is approaching.

So, usage requirements are to name a few:
Photoshop, Lightroom with various plugins and additional software bits
HTML programming
Python programming
Android Studio
Other programming as determined by Computer Science degree study
Various simulation games (Euro Truck, TS2020, TSWorld, Civilisation, Winter Resort etc)
Virtual Machines (Hyper-V)

So, the highlights of what I have now.

Chassis & Display
Vortex Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-3610QM (2.30GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
16GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 670M - 1.5GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
1st Storage Drive
256GB SAMSUNG 830 SERIES SSD
Operating System
WINDOWS 10 PRO

Looking at moving to.

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen™ 7 Eight Core Processor 4800H (2.9GHz, 4.2GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 - 6.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED (Already have Windows 10 Pro to install)
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Chassis
TongFang GK7NR0R (6GB RTX-2060, R7-4800H, 144Hz, Blank KB)

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/optimusXI-pro-17/e7ZhY5N6uA/

Am I off the mark with the Spec? Am thinking from everything that I read the Ryzen is the better bet for processor over Intel due to both power requirements and heat. Purchase time frame would be around end of August after the summer break and to give chance for these machines to get out in people’s hands for some feedback.

Thanks in advance for all feedback.

Paul

 

[Scott]

As per the other thread, the URL would help a bit (not so much in this case mind you).

I would personally be opting for a NOVA build for this usage. The gaming aspect will struggle on 4k no matter what you do (as per the other thread 1440p has you covered).

There are some massive plusses with the laptop, but you need to be aware there are some massive drawbacks. You can upgrade the PC like triggers brush, with the laptop...... you're stuck with what you got. I think a desktop with the current AMD lineup would last significantly longer than a laptop. You need to weigh up whether the portability is more important than the upgradeability.

I cannot advise either way as I can totally understand both aspects (I have a reasonably high level Desktop and a reasonably high level DTR laptop).

 

[ShutterBug365]

Thanks Scott, URL in the original post now.

I did consider the Nova but ruled it out due to being 15.6" inch. Would much prefer 17".

Like you I like to have the option of both as I do travel so like to have the good solid laptop and also handy for using in the lounge but likewise nothing beats the desktop so would be looking at both machines.

 

[Scott]

I would honestly take the 15.6" into consideration, especially if you have the opportunity to dock/connect to a monitor.

The Nova is a serious step up in juice. There is another angle though, it's VERY likely that a 17" Nova-esque laptop is inbound. I would be amazed if there wasn't one coming. Time frames are of course very important but maybe call at some point and ask.

It depends on your time frames for purchase. I personally would live with 15" over a reduced performance. The 17" Nova would be gravy though.