What exactly do I need?

[AMacG]

As an older guy not totally au fait with these matters, and confused by the choice available, can someone tell me please what I need?
I want a 17" laptop that will not be taken out of the house, so weight not an issue.
I mainly use for streaming video, watching YouTube video, browsing, email, photography and Word/Excel. Not gaming.
Think I want 32GB RAM and 1 Tb SSD to futureproof a quality laptop that I hope to get 10 years out of.
Do I need primary and secondary SSD?
A "Viper" or "Optimus" maybe?
Help!!

 

[AMacG]

No particular budget constraint but the specs i have tried to configure are in the £1200-1400 range. Could go a bit higher.
Went for 32GB RAM as price extra over 16GB not huge.
Been reading other very helpful posts on here (great forum!) and see the Viper has webcam low down - I also Zoom a lot and prefer the higher position webcam. Your further thoughts greatly appreciated!

 

[FerrariVie]

If you don't game or video edit at all, so I don't think you need a good graphics card. My suggestion would be Optimus XI Pro for the simple fact that you can pair a powerful CPU with a lower-end GPU, so you won't need to pay for something you're not using:

https://www.pcspecialist.ie/saved-configurations/optimusXI-pro-17/PdfWmNEc6C/

This one has a webcam up high, so won't be a problem. But if you prefer the Magnesium Alloy chassis of the Vyper, you could still buy an external webcam that will also give you better quality video than the built-in ones, with the caveat of having an extra cable and device around. The problem with the vyper is that you're paying for a more mid/high-end GPU that you're not going to use much. But if your budget allows, then it could be an option as well. But in my opinion, the money is better spent on extra warranty just for the peace of mind.

 

[AMacG]

Thank you so much for your reply! Great to have the ability to get such advice. Almost there but..
1. That configuration you suggest has no "1st storage Drive" and no "2nd M2SSD", just the one "1st M2SSD". Is that all I need? Not even a second M2SSD? I read on another thread the suggestion that 1st M2SSD should be 500GB Smasung and the 2nd a 1TB Samsung. What am i not understanding, please?
2. Do I need thermal paste? I cannot see myself taking the casing apart to do anything internal!! Or is it necessary, do you think? How difficult?

Really appreciate your input - thank you. Almost confident enough to place my order now.

 

[FerrariVie]

Thank you so much for your reply! Great to have the ability to get such advice. Almost there but..
1. That configuration you suggest has no "1st storage Drive" and no "2nd M2SSD", just the one "1st M2SSD". Is that all I need? Not even a second M2SSD? I read on another thread the suggestion that 1st M2SSD should be 500GB Smasung and the 2nd a 1TB Samsung. What am i not understanding, please?
2. Do I need thermal paste? I cannot see myself taking the casing apart to do anything internal!! Or is it necessary, do you think? How difficult?

Really appreciate your input - thank you. Almost confident enough to place my order now.

Please find my comments below:
1- That is totally up to you, as it really depends on what storage size do you need and your usage. In general, people use 500Mb for windows and apps with a faster (more expensive) drive, and another not so fast (cheaper) drive with 1Tb for games. The reason for this are two: Games won't run faster with a faster drive (just load times a few seconds shorter) and you can get 1.5Tb for the price of 1Tb (games require lots of storage). But if you only need 1Tb for now and have the budget to spend on the fastest drive available, I don't see why not. It will make your windows, apps and files load faster and make your system look smoother for longer. But again, that is a personal preference. I have a 1Tb fast drive for windows and apps + 2 not so fast drives with 500Gb each (which I moved from old laptops).
Regarding requirements, it is not mandatory to have all drives. Just one to have your windows installed is mandatory, but you can choose whatever drive type and position you want. Just note that the M.2 SSD will be faster than the 2.5" SATA (first option), so that is preferable if you only have one drive. Since you're going to have 2 free slots, in the future you can add extra drives yourself without losing the warranty. It is very handy to have that option and easy to do.
2- The better thermal paste will be installed for you by PCS, that's why I advise you to get it. For your usage, I don't think a repaste will be needed on the next 5 years (or at all), so having the better paste from PCS is the better option to keep your laptop cooler and a bit quieter. On the noise side of things, those performance laptops can get a bit noisy when under heavy load, but that is manageable on the different performance profiles that the gaming centre software offers. It is installed as standard on your laptop and will give you the option to choose between performance or quiet profiles, depending on your usage. It is not exactly the one below, but it is something similar where the silent/quiet/office profile would be preferable for everyday usage, while it can be changed by you to entertainment/gaming when needed for more demanding tasks:

 

[AMacG]

Again, very helpful thanks. If I have understood right, i really just need the one storage and will go for the 1TB Samsung in the 1st M2 SSD drive slot. And the Arctic thermal paste. Correct?

 

[FerrariVie]

Again, very helpful thanks. If I have understood right, i really just need the one storage and will go for the 1TB Samsung in the 1st M2 SSD drive slot. And the Arctic thermal paste. Correct?

That is my suggestion indeed.