Laptop specs question

[Papy Oli]

I have a question for the I.T.-savvy among you please.

I am looking to replace my 5-year old laptop which is falling to bits.

My usage is follows:
- daily use, some remote work, zoom calls, standard Microsoft office 365 package
- No heavy software or photo/video editing required
- current need for ripping and storing CD collection to FLAC.
- size of data so far : close to 700gb, estimate to reach around 1.1 TB-1.2 TB once my full CD collection is ripped (the data is currently on a 1TB standard HDD, also being backed up externally to USB HDD's at the moment)
- Windows 10 & other softwares represent around 90 GB on my current C: drive

I am looking at this particular model, to be custom-made to requirements, with 16Gb RAM (32 Gb overkill based on what I read) and Intel core I5.

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/initia-15/

My question is about the drive combination, as there are an M.2 slot and a 2.5" slot in this model.

Within my budget, I can either go for:

- one single 2TB M.2 drive for everything to start with (windows 10, software, music data...); looking at the Intel M.2 660p for this, thinking the Samsung would be over budget and over-spec'ed. That leaves me with an empty 2.5" slot for future additional SSD storage if needed.

or

- A smaller M.2 drive for Win10 & softwares only (would 256 Gb enough or do i need 500Gb ?) to ensure max speed of the system + a standard SSD 2TB for the data & music in the 2.5" slot (which would cover me for a while anyway)?

Pros & cons of either options please ? Any suggestions and comments most welcome, thank you.

PS: Doing my music listening and streaming off the laptop/External DAC/Headphones for now. Not looking at NAS Drives or Hi-Fi streamer at present, so looking at best option to have all my music on this new laptop as per above. 

[DavidW]

With such light work I think the second option would be better to save money.  The argument for the first case is that without a mechanical drive it will make the pc quieter which helps if you're also using it for music listening.

On the specs the ram is fine, but on the cpu amd is a better choice than Intel.  AMD offers better performance at a lower price point.  Intel is not currently competitive anymore.

[Papy Oli]

With such light work I think the second option would be better to save money.  The argument for the first case is that without a mechanical drive it will make the pc quieter which helps if you're also using it for music listening.

On the specs the ram is fine, but on the cpu amd is a better choice than Intel.  AMD offers better performance at a lower price point.  Intel is not currently competitive anymore.

Thank you for your feedback, David.

In the second option, there would be no mechanical drive either (it would be one M.2 SSD + one 2.5" SSD).

What i found online seemed to advise separating between 2 drives as well.

I'll have a look at intel Vs AMD, thank you.

[DavidW]

Oh woops I didn't read carefully enough.  Yes I personally use 2 drives that way if you have to re-install Windows you won't lose your data.

[drogulus]

     I would go with 2 drives and back up the music on a third external drive, probably a 2TB spinner like so:

     


     

[DavidW]

I've backed up my music on three different external drives.  You can never be too sure.

[Mirror Image]

I've got two 1TB external SSD drives that I backup my music on. It's the only smart way to backup your music nowadays, IMHO.

[drogulus]

I have a question for the I.T.-savvy among you please.

I am looking to replace my 5-year old laptop which is falling to bits.

My usage is follows:
- daily use, some remote work, zoom calls, standard Microsoft office 365 package
- No heavy software or photo/video editing required
- current need for ripping and storing CD collection to FLAC.
- size of data so far : close to 700gb, estimate to reach around 1.1 TB-1.2 TB once my full CD collection is ripped (the data is currently on a 1TB standard HDD, also being backed up externally to USB HDD's at the moment)
- Windows 10 & other softwares represent around 90 GB on my current C: drive

I am looking at this particular model, to be custom-made to requirements, with 16Gb RAM (32 Gb overkill based on what I read) and Intel core I5.

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/initia-15/

My question is about the drive combination, as there are an M.2 slot and a 2.5" slot in this model.

Within my budget, I can either go for:

- one single 2TB M.2 drive for everything to start with (windows 10, software, music data...); looking at the Intel M.2 660p for this, thinking the Samsung would be over budget and over-spec'ed. That leaves me with an empty 2.5" slot for future additional SSD storage if needed.

or

- A smaller M.2 drive for Win10 & softwares only (would 256 Gb enough or do i need 500Gb ?) to ensure max speed of the system + a standard SSD 2TB for the data & music in the 2.5" slot (which would cover me for a while anyway)?

Pros & cons of either options please ? Any suggestions and comments most welcome, thank you.

PS: Doing my music listening and streaming off the laptop/External DAC/Headphones for now. Not looking at NAS Drives or Hi-Fi streamer at present, so looking at best option to have all my music on this new laptop as per above. 

     I'm going to be buying a laptop soon. Other than being small (13" screen) I have no special requirements. It won't be used for gaming, so I don't need an AMD CPU. I'm thinking an i5 would be best. The laptop will be used for internet, email and Zoom.

[Papy Oli]

Thank you for the various feedback.

I have ordered the laptop on the weekend and stuck with Intel I5.

I stretched the budget a little and went for a fast 500Gb Samsung M2 EVO PLUS 970 (based on its very good reviews) for the Windows/softwares side and their basic 2Gb SSD for all the data and music (already having external backups at home). That will put in good stead for a long while and allow me to have all my music in FLAC on the laptop in the coming months (and then some) for what is becoming my main listening set up. Just have to wait for 2-3 weeks for the delivery now.... *patience now *