It is generally well established that Orks are probably the most mechanically advantageous race among the standard metatypes, at least in terms of cost efficiency. That high body and strength for only 20 points is a deal, even for non combat characters. Orks make fine hackers, and as a Int based magician you are giving nothing up either.
Honestly, the only reason I don't pick an ork for every character I design is the RP fluff. Orks die of old age by 40. That drives me absolutely bats**t. Every time I make an ork I end up with a character who is obsessed with making enough money to pay for the life extension treatments they will need to ever have a retirement. Not only do you need a million in the bank for that high lifestyle retirement, you need another million for the extra 40 years of life extension to live as long as a human.
Anyone else bugged by this?
Honestly, no. Why? Because of game balance.
Orks, in terms of stats and bonus' are almost damn near optimised. And when you have anything that is optimised, why use anything else? It' like a peice of gear or a weapon that is sooo good, that you have no need to use anything else. As such, there should be, at least in my opinion, something to balance things out so that orks, or anything else, don't dominate the game. You said it yourself, that if not for the fluff on lifespan, you would play nothin but orks, and that is exactly the point I am trying to make. Everything has to have some price to it.
Also, it helps shape what and who orks are and is what helps motivate them, makes them unique. Without that drive to accomplish something during their shorter lifespan, they are nothing more than beefier humans with tusks.
