javthrower
Bronze Level Poster
Chassis & Display
Voyager: 17.3" Matte HD LED Widescreen (1600x900)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-3230M (2.60GHz) 3MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
Intel® HD Graphics 4000 Video Memory Technology up to 1.7GB
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB SEAGATE HYBRID SSHD Drive, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (5400 rpm)
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
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® N135 802.11N (150Mbps) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
Voyager Series 6 Cell Lithium-ION Battery (48.84WH)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 90W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Intel Anti-Theft Technology
FREE 90 Day Intel Anti-Theft Trial - Prevent Data Access upon Theft
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Price £578.00
Production Dates
Processed Date 06-05-2013
Pre-Production Date 07-05-2013
Build Date 10-05-2013
Test Date 13-05-2013
Awaiting Dispatch Date 13-05-2013
Dispatch Date 13-05-2013
So when it came to my brother needing a new laptop I persuaded him that a custom built laptop from PCS was the way to go and would save him lots of money over buying from the high street.
Ordering and production:
I myself have been part of the pcspecialist forums for some time and have an interest in computer hardware. So when my brother asked me for help in ordering his new laptop, I knew exactly where to go. I have learnt a lot from the forums over the last year or so and therefore new how to createk a pretty balanced spec that would suit his needs (Microsoft office work, internet browsing, watching video) and his budget. The spec I put together was cheap compared to any other branded laptops (in some cases roughly half the price) that you find on the high street. The ordering process was super simple and the laptop arrived 8 days after ordering.
Unpacking the laptop:
The laptop came in a massive box, with so much foam and protection inside that was extremely reassuring. Drivers, product keys and Nero 10 multimedia suite all came on separate disks which meant there was none of that annoying bloatware you get on branded models. The welcome booklet was also extremely beneficial to my brother as he isn't particularly tech savvy.
User experience:
The laptop is very fast. It boots extremely quickly (between 20-30seconds) and programmes and media open almost instantly when opened. The basic 1600x900 screen is also great, despite not being full 1080p HD it looks great and cant really be faulted, you have to be within an inch of the screen to start seeing pixels. The laptop itself is also very quiet and even when watching video with the laptop on your lap It remains cool and you cant even hear the fan over what your watching. The one slight complaint my brother had was that he though the keyboard was a bit squashed in for such a big machine and could of been laid out a bit wider. The battery life also seems reasonable although I haven't yet tested it properly. There are also nice big rubber feet on the bottom which are very handy for tables and desks but don't become uncomfortable if using it on your lap. And finally the power brick is tiny which is very helpful.
Conclusion:
A quality machine at a great price. Thoroughly impressed so far and will certainly be looking to pcspecialist when I buy my own gaming machine in the summer.
![DSC_0126[1].jpg](https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/data/attachments/2/2456-d9c717b699d82a08c41c2c79058d4cda.jpg "DSC_0126[1].jpg")
![DSC_0128[1].jpg](https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/data/attachments/2/2457-5282f57282174a91ee0080b0e4820ca5.jpg "DSC_0128[1].jpg")
![DSC_0134[1].jpg](https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/data/attachments/2/2458-94602f72ae9a394dda22c0a1f51980e1.jpg "DSC_0134[1].jpg")
![DSC_0135[1].jpg](https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/data/attachments/2/2459-ad6cfb1466b6dbddc4ed6ed63f06f30c.jpg "DSC_0135[1].jpg")
![DSC_0136[1].jpg](https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/data/attachments/2/2460-6395b26c8f98e31b4cb72d18e6d64500.jpg "DSC_0136[1].jpg")
Voyager: 17.3" Matte HD LED Widescreen (1600x900)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-3230M (2.60GHz) 3MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
Intel® HD Graphics 4000 Video Memory Technology up to 1.7GB
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB SEAGATE HYBRID SSHD Drive, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (5400 rpm)
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
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® N135 802.11N (150Mbps) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
Voyager Series 6 Cell Lithium-ION Battery (48.84WH)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 90W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Intel Anti-Theft Technology
FREE 90 Day Intel Anti-Theft Trial - Prevent Data Access upon Theft
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Price £578.00
Production Dates
Processed Date 06-05-2013
Pre-Production Date 07-05-2013
Build Date 10-05-2013
Test Date 13-05-2013
Awaiting Dispatch Date 13-05-2013
Dispatch Date 13-05-2013
So when it came to my brother needing a new laptop I persuaded him that a custom built laptop from PCS was the way to go and would save him lots of money over buying from the high street.
Ordering and production:
I myself have been part of the pcspecialist forums for some time and have an interest in computer hardware. So when my brother asked me for help in ordering his new laptop, I knew exactly where to go. I have learnt a lot from the forums over the last year or so and therefore new how to createk a pretty balanced spec that would suit his needs (Microsoft office work, internet browsing, watching video) and his budget. The spec I put together was cheap compared to any other branded laptops (in some cases roughly half the price) that you find on the high street. The ordering process was super simple and the laptop arrived 8 days after ordering.
Unpacking the laptop:
The laptop came in a massive box, with so much foam and protection inside that was extremely reassuring. Drivers, product keys and Nero 10 multimedia suite all came on separate disks which meant there was none of that annoying bloatware you get on branded models. The welcome booklet was also extremely beneficial to my brother as he isn't particularly tech savvy.
User experience:
The laptop is very fast. It boots extremely quickly (between 20-30seconds) and programmes and media open almost instantly when opened. The basic 1600x900 screen is also great, despite not being full 1080p HD it looks great and cant really be faulted, you have to be within an inch of the screen to start seeing pixels. The laptop itself is also very quiet and even when watching video with the laptop on your lap It remains cool and you cant even hear the fan over what your watching. The one slight complaint my brother had was that he though the keyboard was a bit squashed in for such a big machine and could of been laid out a bit wider. The battery life also seems reasonable although I haven't yet tested it properly. There are also nice big rubber feet on the bottom which are very handy for tables and desks but don't become uncomfortable if using it on your lap. And finally the power brick is tiny which is very helpful.
Conclusion:
A quality machine at a great price. Thoroughly impressed so far and will certainly be looking to pcspecialist when I buy my own gaming machine in the summer.
