Acronis True Image WD Edition - Help me out here

In a few days I was planning on using this on a clean install to create a set of Recovery DVD's for my laptop, right after the point where it passes Windows 7 Activation; so I'm assuming that if I need to use them, I won't have to go online and reactivate my key, just download updates.

Another thing I'm trying to figure out if I want to do or not is install drivers, since they seem to be updated randomly, I don't want to be stuck with an image that has year old drivers later on, only to have them removed and reinstalling newer ones. Same thing with programs.
I'm thinking its a better idea to just install Windows Updates up to the current time when I make it, and set the image there. Anything else I should know about?

 

IMO, I would create the Recovery DVD’s after I installed all the updates and drivers and the laptop is completely functional i.e. no unfound items or yellow exclamation points in device manager. I wouldn’t install any programs as it will make your Recovery DVD set rather large.

The only advantage of having a Recovery DVD set to me would be if I wanted a quick way to restore the current OS, sans programs, on a fresh formated HD, for resale of the PC.

I use Acronis, as well, to create my disk images and am pleased. Actually I don’t make Recovery DVD’s but use an external HD to create an image of the current status of my working HD every two weeks (only takes 20-25 minutes). I always keep two images, newest and last previous, just my preference. I also keep a copy of the backups on a second external HD (poor mans raid).

Having a HD image allows you to install all your programs, then image, and if you ever need to restore, within 25 minutes you are back to full functionality either on your current HD or a new HD.