Ron Stoppable
Active member
First Things First
7 pictures of unboxing, insides and setup :winkiss:
Choosing a Manufacturer
I was originally looking at laptops on the Lenovo website. I didn't know much about desktop configs at the time and Lenovo had been recommended by music techies, but their spec options were low and their prices were high.
Then I found out about custom builders in the UK - Kobalt had loads of complaints (and eventually went bust) and Rock are heavily marked up so PCS safest and most affordable.
I paid close attention to the content on each builders forums and their respective subforums at NotebookReview, where I found out that PCS customer support is excellent.
CompanyCheck.co.uk verified that my money was likely to be safe with PCS.
Reading the PCS forums made it clear that a desktop would be a wiser investment than a laptop, as I used my laptop at home 99% of the time.
Configuring my Spec
Before buying I was keen to ensure that every option of my spec was the optimal choice for my intended use.
The Check This Spec subforum and PCS' Live Support chat service were immensely helpful. The forum was ideal for working out 90% of my spec and Live Support excelled at resolving final deliberations.
Production Details
Ordered around 3pm on 25-11-2011. Delivered around 10am on 03-12-2011, just 8 days later.
Built by Sanjit Ghosh. Tested by Zbear Ramzan. QC'd by Adnaan Marban. Packed by Anthony Cunliffe.
Delivery and Communication
Delivery was via DPD. PCS had recently switched from Yodel after a noticeable number of complaints about them. The delivery service from DPD was fantastic.
PCS sent me emails and texts when my computer was dispatched and on the morning of delivery, specifying the one-hour timeslot my computer would arrive in.
PCS included a link to a tracker on the DPD website, which gave exceptional attention to detail of each stage of my PC's journey here.
Initial Impressions
Packaging: Simple to open, nothing unnecessary. Light and 99% recyclable, although PCS advice is to keep it in case of any future returns. The computer and accessories were certainly well protected during the journey.
Sound: Quiet but a bit louder than I was expecting. I still have a wonderfully quiet machine given my choices of processor and PSU.
Speed: Fastest machine I've ever had the pleasure of using. I've got my Dropbox on the C drive (SSD) so the D Drive (HDD) doesn't have to spin up unless I'm archiving to it.
Bloatware: Cleanest new computer I've ever seen. Revo Uninstaller (a brilliant program for removing bloatware) reported that the only things installed were essentials - drivers/modules and intel/windows stuff.
Windows Experience Index: Processor 7.7, Memory 7.7, Graphics 6.4, Gaming Graphics 6.4, Primary Hard Disk 7.9 - perfect for my needs.
After-Sales Support
There were two things but I didn't need to use PCS' actual support as the forums resolved both.
One was the wireless being incredibly weak - I didn't know I had to plug any antennas in (I didn't even know what they were in their packaging)
- but I got swift, unpatronising advice to fix it.
I also got same-day advice on reducing the computer's ambient noise - the main thing with that now is the fan noise is quiet enough for my mic to not pick it up.
Extras
I was switching from a laptop (often used on my lap while on a sofa) to a desktop so there were extra costs to consider besides the computer from PCS (although I already had speakers and recording gear).
These extras included a multi-layered black glass desk (£177), an IPS monitor (£125) and basic Logitech wired keyboard (£9) and mouse (£4) from Amazon - and a 65p mouse mat from Wilkinsons.
Conclusion
What a brilliant buying experience. Thank you PCS
7 pictures of unboxing, insides and setup :winkiss:
Choosing a Manufacturer
I was originally looking at laptops on the Lenovo website. I didn't know much about desktop configs at the time and Lenovo had been recommended by music techies, but their spec options were low and their prices were high.
Then I found out about custom builders in the UK - Kobalt had loads of complaints (and eventually went bust) and Rock are heavily marked up so PCS safest and most affordable.
I paid close attention to the content on each builders forums and their respective subforums at NotebookReview, where I found out that PCS customer support is excellent.
CompanyCheck.co.uk verified that my money was likely to be safe with PCS.
Reading the PCS forums made it clear that a desktop would be a wiser investment than a laptop, as I used my laptop at home 99% of the time.
Configuring my Spec
Before buying I was keen to ensure that every option of my spec was the optimal choice for my intended use.
The Check This Spec subforum and PCS' Live Support chat service were immensely helpful. The forum was ideal for working out 90% of my spec and Live Support excelled at resolving final deliberations.
Production Details
Ordered around 3pm on 25-11-2011. Delivered around 10am on 03-12-2011, just 8 days later.
Built by Sanjit Ghosh. Tested by Zbear Ramzan. QC'd by Adnaan Marban. Packed by Anthony Cunliffe.
Delivery and Communication
Delivery was via DPD. PCS had recently switched from Yodel after a noticeable number of complaints about them. The delivery service from DPD was fantastic.
PCS sent me emails and texts when my computer was dispatched and on the morning of delivery, specifying the one-hour timeslot my computer would arrive in.
PCS included a link to a tracker on the DPD website, which gave exceptional attention to detail of each stage of my PC's journey here.
Initial Impressions
Packaging: Simple to open, nothing unnecessary. Light and 99% recyclable, although PCS advice is to keep it in case of any future returns. The computer and accessories were certainly well protected during the journey.
Sound: Quiet but a bit louder than I was expecting. I still have a wonderfully quiet machine given my choices of processor and PSU.
Speed: Fastest machine I've ever had the pleasure of using. I've got my Dropbox on the C drive (SSD) so the D Drive (HDD) doesn't have to spin up unless I'm archiving to it.
Bloatware: Cleanest new computer I've ever seen. Revo Uninstaller (a brilliant program for removing bloatware) reported that the only things installed were essentials - drivers/modules and intel/windows stuff.
Windows Experience Index: Processor 7.7, Memory 7.7, Graphics 6.4, Gaming Graphics 6.4, Primary Hard Disk 7.9 - perfect for my needs.
After-Sales Support
There were two things but I didn't need to use PCS' actual support as the forums resolved both.
One was the wireless being incredibly weak - I didn't know I had to plug any antennas in (I didn't even know what they were in their packaging)
- but I got swift, unpatronising advice to fix it. I also got same-day advice on reducing the computer's ambient noise - the main thing with that now is the fan noise is quiet enough for my mic to not pick it up.
Extras
I was switching from a laptop (often used on my lap while on a sofa) to a desktop so there were extra costs to consider besides the computer from PCS (although I already had speakers and recording gear).
These extras included a multi-layered black glass desk (£177), an IPS monitor (£125) and basic Logitech wired keyboard (£9) and mouse (£4) from Amazon - and a 65p mouse mat from Wilkinsons.
Conclusion
What a brilliant buying experience. Thank you PCS
