Initial Guidance based on Models

[NeiEva]

Main questions is... https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/custom-laptops/
Is the initial guide prices for each series a linear expectation of model?

I was looking at the Elimina Pro Series, Intel, but the 720p webcam and things made me think this is a slightly lower spec across the board?

I am not looking for a super machine, I have my main desktop box for that. But I am hoping to be able to do everything from basic coding, machine emulation, and 3d CAD. From a space other than my desk!

I am currently scrapping by on a old Zenbook, but CAD is cumbersome, and compiling code on the i5 is tedious!!!!

Thanks for advice, just want general pointers - in case I am being stupid about things.

 

[Scott]

Yes and no unfortunately.

Some people want to pay more money for less bulk. Some people want to pay more money for more performance. What you typically can't get is more performance and less bulk in the one package.

Effectively the increase in cost can be related to a number of key aspects of the system, which won't always relate to what you are looking for from the system. I guess that pretty much defines the custom aspect of laptop selection though.

If you let us know the key points from the below we can help you come up with a spec to suit though:

Please read before posting:- Collaboration of Helpful Hints

NB: These forums are not an official support channel. None of us work for PCS, we're all either customers or techies who just like to help out where possible. For any official support, you need to contact PCS directly either through your PCS account, or via the contact details on the main...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

[NeiEva]

As suspected, thanks! I was looking at Latife and that was lower resolutions screen but better other specs. And then the iconic range and that was i9 and up...

In short, I was after a i7 ish. 16-32gb (if 16, then a free slot to add later), and good enough graphics for 3d CAD. Virtual machines for coding are low level, so usually 1-2 cores and a few Gig of ram, so no worries there.
I am split by going with another 14" which is the perfect portable size, or something nearer 16" for better screen space - as the screen surrounds are so thin these days those extra 2 inches do not make the laptop massive.

I was aiming for the 1k mark. But it is not strict.
I like the idea of being able to upgrade to push it to run a little longer than the usual product cycle - I do not want to be replacing every 3 years if you know what I mean.

 

[NeiEva]

So, based on my thinking I am looking at:
(probably overkill, and will probably up the storage as that is not going to change price substantially.)


Chassis & Display
Ionico Series: 16" Matte QHD 240Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560x1600)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 14 Core Processor 13900H (5.4GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB PCS PRO SODIMM DDR5 4800MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 4060 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
256GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (3200 MB/R, 2700 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
1 x Ionico Battery 73WH
Thermal Paste
VAPOR CHAMBER ADVANCED COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 + BT 5.3
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 PORT + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
IONICO MULTI COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 11 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MP FULL HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (6 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 3 to 5 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book
Price: £0.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/ionico-16/DZCtB4u90k/

 

[SpyderTracks]

So, based on my thinking I am looking at:
(probably overkill, and will probably up the storage as that is not going to change price substantially.)


Chassis & Display
Ionico Series: 16" Matte QHD 240Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560x1600)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 14 Core Processor 13900H (5.4GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB PCS PRO SODIMM DDR5 4800MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 4060 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
256GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (3200 MB/R, 2700 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
1 x Ionico Battery 73WH
Thermal Paste
VAPOR CHAMBER ADVANCED COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 + BT 5.3
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 PORT + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
IONICO MULTI COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 11 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MP FULL HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (6 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 3 to 5 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book
Price: £0.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/ionico-16/DZCtB4u90k/

Looks good, and I do think it's a far better option than the Lafite given quite power related requirements for coding and CAD. I think the benefits from the Ionico is far better suited for those purposes. The Lafite's have low power CPU's, wheras this model has the full fat laptop CPU so performance on this model will be substantially better.

I would definitely increase the primary drive to 512Gb personally. But then I'd probably put a secondary drive too specifically for live project files and any code libraries, then back that drive up as required externally. The good thing about these chassis, is that's a very easy amendment for you to do at any point in the future if you wish to.

Any reason for Windows Pro? Are you using the device on a domain or requiring bitlocker encryption? Aside from that there's very little requirement for it since Windows 10, it's not like the old days where the pro version unlocked loads of extra features, it really is primarly just for joining a domain.

 

[NeiEva]

Hi And Thanks.
I pushed the button - upped the single disk size.
I have not gone for a second disk as anything that will consume a lot of resources will be on the network, or main desktop, etc. As you say, I can easily add one.

Windows Pro - In honest truth it was probably historic reasoning and decision making! It was not crazy money difference - £40, and I did not look into it much beyond that. Looking now, the main reason would be that we still have some older virtual machines that require Hyper-V for testing. Could this be updated and replaced though - probably.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi And Thanks.
I pushed the button - upped the single disk size.
I have not gone for a second disk as anything that will consume a lot of resources will be on the network, or main desktop, etc. As you say, I can easily add one.

Windows Pro - In honest truth it was probably historic reasoning and decision making! It was not crazy money difference - £40, and I did not look into it much beyond that. Looking now, the main reason would be that we still have some older virtual machines that require Hyper-V for testing. Could this be updated and replaced though - probably.

Yeah, absolutely. For hyper V, you can hack a windows home, but it’s definitely better to have pro.