I decided to purchase a new laptop to replace my ailing Rock CTX after an internet search i decided on PC Specialist as there prices and options are excellent.
I was at first going to order a 17" Vortex or Vortex elite but after many years of lugging the 17" rock around the world I opted for the 15.6" Vortex.
I also ordered the 3 day build and delivery service as I am about to depart the country and wanted my new laptop before
I ordered my new laptop on Friday 2nd November @ 0930 I was emailed @ 1430 to say my laptop had been built and was awaiting testing and configuration.
On Monday morning 5th November @ 1000 I had another email to say my laptop had entered testing and configuration then @ 1110 I recieved another email to say my laptop was awaiting dispatch.
@ 1115 on Tuesday morning i was informed my laptop had been dispatched and at 1700 I was informed it will arrive by DPD ext day in a 1 hour time slot.
@ 0930 on Wednesday the day of arrival I had another email to say my laptop will be arriving between 1340 and 1440 the box arrived 1410 as promised in the time slot.
The order, build and delivery service from PC Specalist and DPD was excellent and a real treat to find great service still exists in the UK.
The Laptop arrived in a very well packaged box as you would expect and with all the items accounted for.
I eagerly unpacked the laptop to start to configure and install my programs and files.
As previously said I as shocked at the size of the power supply it is quite a beast.
I installed the battery and checked the laptop over I love the clean look of the laptop the keyboard looks all fine no problem keys and the lid opens and closes with a solid feeling no wobbly screen
The Power supply plug fits into the back of the laptop securely also.
I booted the laptop up and was immediately offered the windows registration screen to input my windows code.
This is when I discovered my first Issue with the laptop!
Right from first boot up 2 dead pixels I have taken out the pixel warranty but I wold have expected this to be found during the testing and quality control !
I do not have time to send the laptop back now so will have to send it back when I get back from my trip abroad.
I asked for windows 8 and am still getting used to it
I liked all over for the windows 8 registration code and could only find it on the underside of the laptop and needed a magnifying glass to read it.
I checked the bios and all the installed items were correct the boot up time took around 35 seconds once windows was registered
I then removed the battery and installed the 256 mSSD Drive
Once installed and rebooted I had to assign the drive and hey presto another 256GB of disk space
I then bench marked using 3dmark and got a score of P6061
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/4879045
Below are a few pics
Below is a pic with the Vortex on top of my 17" Rock
Overal I am very happy with the Vortex the Keyboard is not as positive as my Rock but feels good.
I do like the backlight keyboard for working at night the built in sound works well and the screen is bright and crisp
The network manager for the killer Lan is a bit of a pain as it has to do a system check every time the computer starts
Diabo 3 and Brothers in Arms work well on the Vortex but Company of heroes displays a fault message saying no supported hardware rendering device is installed
More to come later
I was at first going to order a 17" Vortex or Vortex elite but after many years of lugging the 17" rock around the world I opted for the 15.6" Vortex.
I also ordered the 3 day build and delivery service as I am about to depart the country and wanted my new laptop before
I ordered my new laptop on Friday 2nd November @ 0930 I was emailed @ 1430 to say my laptop had been built and was awaiting testing and configuration.
On Monday morning 5th November @ 1000 I had another email to say my laptop had entered testing and configuration then @ 1110 I recieved another email to say my laptop was awaiting dispatch.
@ 1115 on Tuesday morning i was informed my laptop had been dispatched and at 1700 I was informed it will arrive by DPD ext day in a 1 hour time slot.
@ 0930 on Wednesday the day of arrival I had another email to say my laptop will be arriving between 1340 and 1440 the box arrived 1410 as promised in the time slot.
The order, build and delivery service from PC Specalist and DPD was excellent and a real treat to find great service still exists in the UK.
The Laptop arrived in a very well packaged box as you would expect and with all the items accounted for.
I eagerly unpacked the laptop to start to configure and install my programs and files.
As previously said I as shocked at the size of the power supply it is quite a beast.
I installed the battery and checked the laptop over I love the clean look of the laptop the keyboard looks all fine no problem keys and the lid opens and closes with a solid feeling no wobbly screen
The Power supply plug fits into the back of the laptop securely also.
I booted the laptop up and was immediately offered the windows registration screen to input my windows code.
This is when I discovered my first Issue with the laptop!
Right from first boot up 2 dead pixels I have taken out the pixel warranty but I wold have expected this to be found during the testing and quality control !
I do not have time to send the laptop back now so will have to send it back when I get back from my trip abroad.
I asked for windows 8 and am still getting used to it
I liked all over for the windows 8 registration code and could only find it on the underside of the laptop and needed a magnifying glass to read it.
I checked the bios and all the installed items were correct the boot up time took around 35 seconds once windows was registered
I then removed the battery and installed the 256 mSSD Drive
Once installed and rebooted I had to assign the drive and hey presto another 256GB of disk space
I then bench marked using 3dmark and got a score of P6061
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/4879045
Below are a few pics
Below is a pic with the Vortex on top of my 17" Rock
Overal I am very happy with the Vortex the Keyboard is not as positive as my Rock but feels good.
I do like the backlight keyboard for working at night the built in sound works well and the screen is bright and crisp
The network manager for the killer Lan is a bit of a pain as it has to do a system check every time the computer starts
Diabo 3 and Brothers in Arms work well on the Vortex but Company of heroes displays a fault message saying no supported hardware rendering device is installed
More to come later
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