Laptop specs -- can these be fine-tuned?

[anisin]

I have configured this laptop -- but would welcome any advice/comments on how to fine-tune these specs further, especially if the new/advised configuration does not cost more than £900.00. There may be some clever fine-tuning of either the processor or the RAM or something. I am certainly not technical. Thank you.

Chassis & Display
Optimus II: 17.3" Full HD LED Backlit Widescreen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glossy
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-2540M (2.60GHz) 3MB Cache
Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 2GB)
Graphics Card
nVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M - 1GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BEKT, 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)
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & INTEL® CENTRINO® ADVANCED-N 6230 inc BLUETOOTH
USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Battery
Optimus Series 6 Cell Lithium-ION Battery - 48.85WH
Power Lead & Adaptor
2 x UK Power Lead & 90W Adaptor (For Nvidia GT 540M) (£16)
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £830.00 including VAT and delivery.

 

[Skylinefx]

I don't know much, but I know that it would be better to choose 1x4GB of RAM (in case you will want to upgrade in the future with another 4GB).

 

[MrShteeeve]

I've ordered one of these recently and I can actually save you some money in some areas to give you more in others.

Instead of the I5 2540m choose the I7 2630m for a saving of £17 and a nice performance boost.

Instead of 4GB of RAM for the future go for 8GB RAM for an extra £47 (well worth it to keep you lined up for future software)

Also change the graphics card from the 540m to the 555m for another nice performance boost and again, gives you a little breathing room with games, that's for an extra £26. (If you select the 555m you will need to change the power adapters to the 120w instead of the 90's youve already selected)

All of these extras bring it up to £898 inc. VAT so still within budget. Given its at the top end of the budget, but worth getting those to make the laptop last longer before replacement.

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask away.

 

[MrShteeeve]

Chassis & Display Optimus II: 17.3" Full HD LED Backlit Widescreen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glossy
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-2630QM (2.00GHz) 6MB Cache
Memory (RAM) 8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)
Graphics Card nVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M -2GB DDR3 Video RAM -DirectX® 11
Memory -1 st Hard Disk 500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BEKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
1 st 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)
Network Facilities GIGABIT LAN & INTEL® CENTRINO® ADVANCED-N 6230 inc BLUETOOTH USB Options 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Battery Optimus Series 6 Cell Lithium-ION Battery -48.85WH
Power Lead & Adaptor 2 x UK Power Lead & 120W Adaptor (For Nvidia GT 555M) (£19)
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit -inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY -FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Mouse INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty 3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI) Build Time Standard Build -Approximately 5 to 7 working days
Quantity 1
Price: £898.00 including VAT and delivery.

 

[anisin]

Thank you so much. I think I will run with your suggested/improved spec. Sounds great (and makes greater sense!). Thank you.

 

[MrShteeeve]

That's no problem at all . I hope when you get it you'll be very pleased with it! I can assure you it won't disappoint!