Is the Y510p more than I really need?

[ManxomeFoe]

Hi - I need some advice deciding on a laptop. My current front runner is the Lenovo Y510p which I can get on sale for labor day and with a student discount for around $900, which I think is a HUGE bargain. I'm just concerned that it's really more laptop than I actually need. So, opinions or other suggestions would be appreciated.

My primary uses: MAJOR multi-tasking with MULTIPLE windows open at once and usually browsing with MULTIPLE tabs in more than one browser, photo-editing, heavy Publisher/Word/PowerPoint/Excel use, looking to begin some video editing, and casual WoW playing (sometimes this laptop may be loaned to the Husband for a WoW raid, his Asus overheats and shuts off during raiding).

Budget: Around $800-$900 for sure under $1000 (free shipping & non-CA tax would be helpful as well)

Time frame: NOW, in the next few days. The Lenovo sale ends in a couple of days.

Wants:
Size: Likely in the 15 inch range, 16 inch would be great but there seem to be fewer of those. Would prefer something lighter than most 17 inch laptops, but I'm open.
Weight: Would like it closer to 5 lbs than to 6 lbs, this is one of the drawbacks of the Y510p (6.4 lbs) but not a deal breaker.
Display: LOVE the idea of 1920x1080 on the Y510p. Multi-tasking and photo editing would be great. But is it overkill on a 15 in laptop? However, no less than 1600x900.
RAM: 8GB at the minimum. However, with how I function, wouldn't more be better, perhaps 12 or 16?
Processor: Considering my needs, from the research I've done, I've been looking for i7 (either 3rd or 4th gen), should I be considering i5 or something else?
Graphics Card: For my casual WoW play along with the potential video editing, and the Hubby's potential raiding, I've been looking for a dedicated card, and read that the nvidia is better than the radeon. Do I need it? Or, is it overkill?
Misc: Would prefer a keyboard with is backlit and with a number pad. Would also prefer an optical drive (although could do without if a great option came without it).

So, should I just go for the Y510p? It is a bit heavier than I need, but seems to be something that should last me for quite some time.

Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[C12Friedman]

Video editing seems to be the most intensive usage you have for the machine.
I think you'd be well served by the Y510p - it may seem to be a little overkill at the moment but I think, given your projected use time, it should do good.

While I'm here I will suggest the use of a cooling pad for your husband's Asus especially when gaming - if he still has heat issues it may be time for a thorough cleaning

 

[ManxomeFoe]

Thanks, C12Friedmen, for your input. As I continued to do research for the new laptop, I started feeling more and more like Veruca Salt wanting everything that Willy Wonka had to show her. After deciding that I wanted/needed this, that, and the other; I then started to doubt myself. But, considering that I plan to use/keep this laptop for several years, it makes sense to invest in a product that can handle future needs too.

As for the Hubby, I purchased for him a stand that has fans on the underside to help cool it. Perhaps I'll go in search of a better, more cold, cooling pad/stand. And, I'll suggest a good cleaning as well.

Thanks again.