Help me buy my Carbon touch

[nathan1]

I'm getting the X1 touch. The US page has two models:

$1499 i5-3427U-4gb
$1649 i7-3667U-8gb
Also will add either the 256gb ($280) or Intel FDE 240gb ($230) hard drive and the 3yr depot for $99.

Questions:
Is the FDE slower or can you think of issues with it? Which hd would you recommend?
I don't care about the i5 vs the i7, so if I want 8gb it will cost me $150. I heard the memory is no upgradable, is that true.

This is a big purchase for me, any help is appreciated.

FYI, I am using this laptop for programming, watching movies and the internet.

Thanks, Stu