Hi all
My experience with the Cosmos IV laptop so far (specs below)
First off, I installed Linux (Ubuntu 15.10 - Wily Werewolf), even though PC Specialist don't recommend you do due to possible compatibility issues. They unfortunately don't test their machines against Linux, which is a bit of a shame
Anyway, when installing I got an error warning about the SATA version not being supported (Ubuntu issue) but it's been running fine, and rapidly I might add, so it's not really caused any problems thus far.
The keyboard layout takes a little getting used (I'm accustomed to using external keyboards or ones on a larger laptop), but the only real complaint I have is that it feels a little, for want of a better word, "plasticy". As a result typing is kind of loud, but there's still enough feedback that it doesn't feel like typing on a tablet which, if you spend a lot of time typing, becomes a more significant thing to factor in.
There are Japanese character stickers on the keyboard as, unfortunately yet as expected, Japanese keyboards aren't offered.
Another gripe I have is that the fan can be pretty loud at times and can drown out the music. Granted, it hasn't ever been on at full blast for more than a few seconds at a time at intervals of way over an hour or two. This obviously isn't a concern if you're using earphones but something to take into consideration when deciding on the sound card specs and whether to use an external sound system
Those are pretty much the only issues I could really find with this machine, albeit very pedantic. Overall, I've found that it feels quite solid and sturdy whilst still being thin and light - as expected from a laptop this size.
It performs like a beast. Incredibly quick to turn on and off, and seems to have no problems handling any of the typical work tasks I throw at it
For reference, I've mostly being using it for development work. I typically have SBT watching and compiling which takes, at most, a couple of seconds but mostly under a second. So, it should handle any other task runner (grunt/gulp/npm etc) in a speedy manner.
I can do that running dual monitors whilst streaming multiple videos, being in a Skype video call and listening to Spotify without any locking up or even signs slowing down. Even if it's been on all day, it still responds as if I'd just turned it on.
The only genuine downside was the dedicated graphics card not being optional. Removing it would've probably brought the price down ~£100. Considering I have no intentions at the moment to do any proper gaming on this thing, I would've preferred to remove it. That being said, there appears to be an issue running Skype on Linux (the screen endlessly flashes blue). A few forum posts I've read suggest that relying on a dedicated graphics card could resolve that issue, so it could very well work in my favour. I've installed the necessary drivers but I'm yet to test whether or not it solves the problem.
If you're looking for a high performance laptop at the price of a mid-range one, then this is definitely one to consider
If you have any questions regarding it at or feel I need to expand further on any particular point, please let me know
Chassis & Display
Cosmos Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD IPS LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i5 Quad Core Processor 6300HQ (2.3GHz, 3.2GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB HyperX IMPACT 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 940M - 2.0GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
1st Hard Disk
240GB KINGSTON V300 SSD, SATA 6 Gb (450MB/R, 450MB/W)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-8260 M.2 (867Mbps, 802.11BGN) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
Cosmos Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (48.84WH)
Power Cable
1 x UK Power Lead & 90W AC Adaptor
Keyboard Language
COSMOS SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
DVD Recovery Media
NO DVD RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Internet Explorer (Windows 7 & 8 Only)
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1
My experience with the Cosmos IV laptop so far (specs below)
First off, I installed Linux (Ubuntu 15.10 - Wily Werewolf), even though PC Specialist don't recommend you do due to possible compatibility issues. They unfortunately don't test their machines against Linux, which is a bit of a shame
Anyway, when installing I got an error warning about the SATA version not being supported (Ubuntu issue) but it's been running fine, and rapidly I might add, so it's not really caused any problems thus far.
The keyboard layout takes a little getting used (I'm accustomed to using external keyboards or ones on a larger laptop), but the only real complaint I have is that it feels a little, for want of a better word, "plasticy". As a result typing is kind of loud, but there's still enough feedback that it doesn't feel like typing on a tablet which, if you spend a lot of time typing, becomes a more significant thing to factor in.
There are Japanese character stickers on the keyboard as, unfortunately yet as expected, Japanese keyboards aren't offered.
Another gripe I have is that the fan can be pretty loud at times and can drown out the music. Granted, it hasn't ever been on at full blast for more than a few seconds at a time at intervals of way over an hour or two. This obviously isn't a concern if you're using earphones but something to take into consideration when deciding on the sound card specs and whether to use an external sound system
Those are pretty much the only issues I could really find with this machine, albeit very pedantic. Overall, I've found that it feels quite solid and sturdy whilst still being thin and light - as expected from a laptop this size.
It performs like a beast. Incredibly quick to turn on and off, and seems to have no problems handling any of the typical work tasks I throw at it
For reference, I've mostly being using it for development work. I typically have SBT watching and compiling which takes, at most, a couple of seconds but mostly under a second. So, it should handle any other task runner (grunt/gulp/npm etc) in a speedy manner.
I can do that running dual monitors whilst streaming multiple videos, being in a Skype video call and listening to Spotify without any locking up or even signs slowing down. Even if it's been on all day, it still responds as if I'd just turned it on.
The only genuine downside was the dedicated graphics card not being optional. Removing it would've probably brought the price down ~£100. Considering I have no intentions at the moment to do any proper gaming on this thing, I would've preferred to remove it. That being said, there appears to be an issue running Skype on Linux (the screen endlessly flashes blue). A few forum posts I've read suggest that relying on a dedicated graphics card could resolve that issue, so it could very well work in my favour. I've installed the necessary drivers but I'm yet to test whether or not it solves the problem.
If you're looking for a high performance laptop at the price of a mid-range one, then this is definitely one to consider
If you have any questions regarding it at or feel I need to expand further on any particular point, please let me know
Chassis & Display
Cosmos Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD IPS LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i5 Quad Core Processor 6300HQ (2.3GHz, 3.2GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB HyperX IMPACT 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 940M - 2.0GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
1st Hard Disk
240GB KINGSTON V300 SSD, SATA 6 Gb (450MB/R, 450MB/W)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-8260 M.2 (867Mbps, 802.11BGN) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
Cosmos Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (48.84WH)
Power Cable
1 x UK Power Lead & 90W AC Adaptor
Keyboard Language
COSMOS SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
DVD Recovery Media
NO DVD RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Internet Explorer (Windows 7 & 8 Only)
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1
