Laptop Home and Work

[ny-tech]

This is for my sister so I do not want to screw it up and hear about this for the next 10 years!

Home use
mail
browsing
pictures
basic stuff
portable but not going to be hiking around with it

goal is to have a serviceable solution with some longevity

looking at lenovo T450 (config from their web site below)

I know nothing about laptops and have the following questions.
1. What is the point of the 16GB SSD?

2. CPU options
Considering the type of usage is it worth upgrading the CPU for longevity?
Intel Core i5-5200U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.70GHz)[BASE]
Intel Core i5-5300U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.90GHz)[add $100.00]
Intel Core i7-5600U Processor (4MB Cache, up to 3.20GHz)[add $300.00]

3. Total $1,016.10
Should I be looking at a different vendor? I am under the impression that Lenovo produces a solid product.

Link to their site
http/shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops...pping%7C13644#

Details
Intel Core i5-5200U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.70GHz)
Windows 8.1 64
Windows 8.1 64 - English
14.0" FHD (1920 x 1080) with WWAN
720p HD Camera
Intel HD Graphics 5500
Security Chip Enabled
8G 4G Base + 4G (1 SoDIMM)
Keyboard Backlit - US English
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm, 2.5"
16GB M.2 Solid State Drive Single
3rd M.2 SSD slot
ThinkPad Battery 3 cell Li-Polymer (23.2Whr) Front
ThinkPad Battery 3 cell Li-Polymer (23.2Whr) Rear
Country Pack 45W AC adapter United States (2pin)
Intel 7265 AC/B/G/N Dual Band Wireless + Bluetooth Version 4.0
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
Publication - US English
1 Year Depot or Carry-in

 

[Emerald]

1. the 16GB SSD is used to increase the startup time. When Win8 shuts down it will store the a file there to faster start the system. It is called Rapid Start.

2. The basic CPU should due.

 

[velo3100]

That should be enough for what she needs. But what do you mean by pictures? Do you mean she will store lots of photos in which case I would get a larger storage device or do you mean image editing with the pictures which should be also be ok assuming the images are of a decent res.