2nd HDD OPTICAL BAY CADDY

[Lovejoy96]

Looking at the Ultrabook 15.6'' but having a slight problem and need some opinions on it. I was going to replace the 8x SATA DVD±R/RW with a 2nd HDD OPTICAL BAY CADDY to implement a SSD which will obviously remove the DVD writer making it difficult to install software etc. Would it be worth it in the long-run as I rarely use the DVD Drive? And how would I go about installing Software if they send me a disc?

Thanks.

 

[dogbot]

You could fit an mSata SSD (at least 120 GB and preferably 240 GB) as the system drive. You then still have the HDD and the DVD writer.

 

[Lovejoy96]

Thanks for the response, I'd rather opt for the second HDD as I want a Samsung Evo. I'll be ordering the laptop tomorrow so any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[SpyderTracks]

With regards to loading cd 's you can get external dvd/bluray players quite cheap. For general programs, most downloads come as iso files now and you just run them off a usb stick.

 

[Lovejoy96]

Thanks for the response Spyder, looms like a logical idea seeing as they seem very portable. What about this one? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-SE-...1408151578&sr=8-1&keywords=external+dvd+drive

Will be ordering the laptop tomorrow would you advise any changes in terms of the spec? I was also wondering if the GPU can handle old games such as Age of Empires, Medieval etc? I want to keep it preliminary for Uni work so mobility is key for me.



Chassis & Display
UltraNote: 15.6" Matte Full HD IPS LED Backlit Widescreen (1920x1080)

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-4210M (2.60GHz) 3MB

Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON HYPER-X IMPACT 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (1 x 8GB)

Graphics Card
INTEL® HD GRAPHICS MEDIA ACCELERATOR 4600

Memory - Hard Disk
120GB KINGSTON HYPERX 3K SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 555MB/sR | 510MB/sW)

2nd Hard Disk
750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)

DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
2nd/3rd HDD HARD DRIVE OPTICAL BAY CADDY (9.5mm)

Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)

Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND (£9)

Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack

Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® N-7260 (300Mbps, 802.11BGN) + BLUETOOTH

USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD

Battery
UltraNote Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (62.16WH) (Up to 7 Hours)

Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 65W AC Adaptor

Keyboard Language
ULTRANOTE SERIES UK KEYBOARD

Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence (£79)

Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE

Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE

Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE

Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM

Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)

Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft

Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Quantity 1

 

[Jamie0202]

Will be ordering the laptop tomorrow would you advise any changes in terms of the spec? I was also wondering if the GPU can handle old games such as Age of Empires, Medieval etc? I want to keep it preliminary for Uni work so mobility is key for me.

The 4600 will easily handle old games. Actually it's possible to play SOME AAA modern games at passable framerate as long as you keep the quality settings and resolution low.

Check out notebookcheck. you can filter just the 4600.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html

According to their testing there should be quite a few games playable. One point to note though is that in their testing the HD 4600 is usually paired with an i7 but according to cpuboss the iGPU has the same clock speeds of 1150Mhz in both the i5 4210m and the i7 4700m so gaming benchmarks SHOULD be comparable.

 

[chocolate-eater]

I have been specking up a similar laptop to above except for a few minor changes - smaller second hard drive 500gbs will do me but larger ssd drive. What price did this spec come to Lovejoy96?

I would also opt for windows 7 professional.

Confused as never really used a ssd drive before. So I guess windows and programs go on here and data onto the 2nd drive? Also use 2nd drive for photos and music moving the default windows directory. Is this what most people do?

 

[mikecalm]

Hi, People usually use it this way. I have similar configuration in my old Dell ( 6 years old now ), SSD for system + programs, and 1TB for data ( and Steam content ). System response from SSD is like night and day comparing to standard HDD. I'm about ordering the same laptop like you, but with i7 and 16GB RAM.

 

[chocolate-eater]

Hi, People usually use it this way. I have similar configuration in my old Dell ( 6 years old now ), SSD for system + programs, and 1TB for data ( and Steam content ). System response from SSD is like night and day comparing to standard HDD. I'm about ordering the same laptop like you, but with i7 and 16GB RAM.

Some threads mention 16gb RAM a bit of an overkill if not playing games. Would this be correct? I need a system for office apps, photoshop, sage and dreamweaver.

 

[Rakk]

Some threads mention 16gb RAM a bit of an overkill if not playing games. Would this be correct? I need a system for office apps, photoshop, sage and dreamweaver.

16GB is generally overkill if just used for gaming, I think you read it wrong way round

Also it would be better to start your own thread if you want to discuss a machine for yourself.

 

[mikecalm]

16 GB is for running virtual machines ( I'm software developer ), and 8 GB is sometimes not enough.
However, I'm curious why 2nd HDD caddy is so expensive, comparing dvd drive itself.