Buying a MBP: Need to settle on specs

[Ride.]

So, mom promised me a MBP this year, but we never sat down to discuss specs (not sure if she'd drop 4k on a laptop.) She has an idea of what I want, but I wanted to post some lists + prices and have you guys rate, or possibly tell me the best option, while also factoring in price. All prices include the Black Friday deal!

Option 1

$4,032
2.53GHz Intel Core i5
8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
512GB Solid State Drive
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 15-inch Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
iWork preinstalled
Microsoft Office Mac 2011 - Home and Student Edition
Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter
MobileMe


Option 2

$3,313
2.53GHz Intel Core i5
8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
256GB Solid State Drive
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 15-inch Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
iWork preinstalled
Microsoft Office Mac 2011 - Home and Student Edition
Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter
Apple Remote
(Dropped Mobile Me and 512GB SSD, which I would prefer to keep)


Not really sure what other cuts I'd like to make, really. But feel free to suggest

 

[thunderboltspro]

option 3
Buy aftermarket ram and ssd, save you more money.

 

[dj2mc]

This is what I'd do. Get the cheaper i5, and just add your upgrades at your leisure. You'll save money! A lot.
I would suggest getting an OCZ Vertex 2 SSD like I have from Newegg, very cheap and very reliable. Also suggest at least having 4 GB RAM. I don't see a point to 8 GB, unless you're a HEAVY photoshop/auto-cad user.

 

[wordoflife]

What are you going to be using your Mac for? You might be wasting your money.
Also, buy your own hard drive and RAM.