System Images makes Backups redundant for poential HD replacement?

Hello everyone,

I am sure this topic has been answered for I have read articles very similar on it however, before I completely undergo laptop surgery to replace a failing HD I really would just like a slight nod of yes you do comprehend what you have read on system images vs backup.

If my eyes do not deceive me a system image it a complete backup of the disk? An image (copy/photo)

An example would be if I were to hypothetically have my computer be in hibernation/sleep mode and hit the power or space bar to resume. How it resumes would be the same as afterwards with a restoration of a system image on a new hard drive. No programs to reinstall, no finding of product keys, desktop would have everything the day I did the image, chrome would still have all the bookmarks...ect ect.

One final comment, I did the let me choose my own on the backup settings and have the "Guest" account dechecked with the only account I use checked. Nothing on the C: Windows area is checked due to that should be the system image, also I am using WD Smartware to make its continuous backups. Would having that combination be enough to help in the restoration on the new disk?

Thank you for the potential answers

Thank you Golden! Did the surgery yesterday with letting it reload the system image last night. This morning greeted with my login screen, logging in with the old password, and loading the usual programs and finally seeing everything is to the second of when the system image was created, I would consider it a success.