Any final thoughts?

I've been procrastinating over this purchase for long enough, time to place the order. I'd really like some feedback on whether this config is the way to go for my needs. I'll be using this system for web dev, graphics work (several Creative Suite & Visual Studio apps, browsers, etc. open at the same time) internet browsing for research, meaning I often have 20 or more Firefox tabs open, MS Office activities and (not at the same time as productivity apps) some gaming - the best games at highest settings, but not hours on end days at a time (I'm not very good, I die alot!) Of course, I'd like to future proof as much as possible, I tend to buy a new system every 2 1/2 years. I will most often use two monitors with laptop as desktop replacement, but need the portability of a 15" laptop. My 17" is too heavy for me to travel easily with it, and it's almost dead now, anyway. I'd like to cut cost wherever possible, but this config seems like the best value at this time:

Lotus P150HM-S1 (P150HM-S1)

Display: 15.6" 1920 x 1080 FHD LED AUO B156HW01 V.4 95% NTSC Matte Display
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM, 6MB L3 Cache, 2.2-3.3GHz
Memory: (16GB) 16384MB, PC3-12800/1600MHz DDR3 - 4 SO-DIMM
Graphics Card: AMD® Radeon HD 6990M 2GB GDDR5
Hard Drive: 750GB 7200rpm 2.5" SATA 300
Optical Drive Bay: 8X Multi DVD+/-R/RW RAM Dual-Layer Drive
Wireless: Bigfoot Networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 802.11A/B/G/N LAN Card
Cooling: IC Diamond 7 Thermal Compound, CPU & GPU
Keyboard: English: US & Canada
Power Cord: US & Canada
Build Time: 5-7 Business Days
Warranty: 4 Year Ltd. Labor and 2 Year Parts Warranty with 24/7 Support (USA)
Extras: Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Web Camera
Extras: PowerDVD & Bison Cam Software Package
Extras: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
Extras: MALIBAL Software & Drivers Disc
Extras: Integrated 9 in 1 Card Reader

$2173 (before discounts)

Alternative Config:

Lotus P150HM (P150HM)
Display: 15.6" 1920 x 1080 FHD LED AUO B156HW01 V.4 95% NTSC Matte Display
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM, 6MB L3 Cache, 2.2-3.3GHz
Memory: (8GB) 8192MB, PC3-12800/1600MHz DDR3 - 2 SO-DIMM
Graphics Card: AMD® Radeon HD 6990M 2GB GDDR5
Hard Drive: 500GB 7200rpm 2.5" SATA 300
Optical Drive Bay: 8X Multi DVD+/-R/RW RAM Dual-Layer Drive
Wireless: Bigfoot Networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 802.11A/B/G/N LAN Card
Cooling: IC Diamond 7 Thermal Compound, CPU & GPU
Keyboard: English: US & Canada
Power Cord: US & Canada
Build Time: 5-7 Business Days
Warranty: 4 Year Ltd. Labor and 2 Year Parts Warranty with 24/7 Support (USA)

$2083 (before discounts)

It looks like for about $90 more, I'll get 8GB more RAM and an extra 250GB storage. I could back off on the config by getting the 2630 with 8GB at 1333, 500GB storage, and/or change to the 485GPU without the upgraded thermal paste... I've read here that more than 8GB of RAM is not necessary, and that if I get the 2720, I should get the 1600MHZ to take full advantage of the processor.

One of my remaining questions is will I notice a performance boost when using my CS and other productivity apps by upgrading to the 2720/1600 combo? Also, is the 6990 GPU compatible with Adobe CS programs? Any thoughts or insights I should consider before placing this order? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

Stick with 8GB, no need for 16GB for gaming. For HDD either
#1: get cheapest HDD, and upgrade yourself to a SataIII SSD2
#2: upgrade to SataIII SSD2 from MALIBAL
#3: get a Momentus XT (the hybrid 500GB with 4GB NAND)

 

Also, the Wifi card, put the 1102, I don't think you'll need the 1103. And like Alex said, go with the 2630qm...

 

I would stick with the 16GB personally, especially as web design and graphics design can be quite intensive in memory. I agree with the 2630's use since unless you run a VM its not a significant issue. However, I would put in the hybrid SSD for the time being (Seagate Momentus XT) and keep the bluray player in the S-1. It's cheaper than the 2720 and unless you have VM's, you won't know the difference. Other than that, it's a great setup, a lot like my desired one.

Jason

 

stick with 8GB of ram, its cheaper to buy the other 8GB and install it yourself

 

For what you explained this will be a kind of a workstation that can game for you. In that case I would go with the 16GB of RAM. I have 8GB in my workstation that I use for Photoshop and android development and I still run of RAM. Go with the first config!

 

Not to hate on malibal or anything but u can get ur same first config from mythlogic for $2051 (before discounts). They calibrate the screen for free and icd 7 paste for free. On top of that they have top notch quality control by thoroughly testing your rig before it ships.

 

That is very similar to the one that I was going to order. Looks like a great build.