Ordered this Cosmos DDR4

[MichaelJones]

A replacement for my dead Dell 17" Core 2 duo. I will run Linux Mint. Not really into gaming. I have a 250Gb SSD that I'll add, and at some point in future I'll add another 8Gb ram, or replace it with 2 x 16Gb. I've already placed the order for the Cosmos, but parts will take a few weeks to arrive, so I posted here for any feedback.


Chassis & Display
Cosmos Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Quad Core Processor 6700HQ (2.6GHz, 3.5GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
8GB HyperX IMPACT 2133MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 950M - 2.0GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
1st Hard Disk
NOT REQUIRED
M.2 SSD Drive
128GB SAMSUNG SM951 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2000MB/R, 650MB/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)
Power Supply
1 x 120W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
Via® 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS INTEL® AC-3160 M.2 (433Mbps, 802.11AC) + BT
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)
Keyboard Language
COSMOS 17" SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
DVD Recovery Media
NO DVD RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
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
30 Day Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Quantity
1

 

[Frank100]

Hi,

I don't see any issues with the build. I'm sure it will do what you require. If you do decide to play around with some Open CL or CUDA development work you can even use the GPU as a co-processor.

 

[Rat]

Almost identical to my Laptop I just received but I went for the 16Gig ram and the better wifi card which was only a couple of quid more. Also the GTX 950m is the Gddr5 version not the older ddr3 version listed. I would swap the wifi card for the next one up (the AC 8260), its literally twice as fast and only a couple of quid more! I too went only with the Samsung SM 951 and boot time is 3 second from power button to windows log on, no joke!

 

[MichaelJones]

ETA for stock/parts arriving is now next week, but that could change again.... I can wait.... :wacko:

I'm tempted to take your suggestion and upgrade the wi-fi card, and maybe the Samsung to a larger/faster 256Gb PM961, as it only adds £25 to the order.

Is there anything else I should consider, while I have the 'opportunity' while waiting?

Thanks.

 

[srguy]

wich that works for you

 

[MichaelJones]

OK, very happy here.

Got the laptop 2 weeks ago. Installed Linux Mint 18 (Sarah). Needed to use 'nomodeset' when booting, then installed the LM18 NVIDIA drivers, and all was fine. Put my old SSD into the spare slot and copied my /home across. Everything seems to work, that I tired. Sound, function keys, DVD, wireless mouse, and even the usb WinTV MiniStick for TV. Boot time was just over 30 seconds or so. But that has gone up after I installed VirtualBox --- to run Win7 and iTunes.

Overall build quality if fine. As RAM prices drop, I'll increase that --- but right now I'm very happy!

 

[MichaelJones]

Cosmos V: SSD slot

Got a Cosmos V, with M.2 booting my OS (Linux Mint 18). I put in my old SSD, and it works, but it looks to me as if there may be some type of bracket or caddy needed when using the SSD slot? The SSD slides in, but is only held in place by friction against the bottom of the laptop case.

Anyone knows how the SSD is supposed to fit in the case?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

PS: the Cosmos V is very nice.

 

[ubuysa]

I'm not sure about the Cosmos but the SSD on my Optimus IV also has no caddy or retaining screws and seems to be held in place by the cover.

You'll see that I've also merged your two threads since they appear to relate to the same laptop. If that's not the case let me know and I'll un-merge them.

 

[MichaelJones]

Yes, same laptop. So fine to merge the threads.

The Cosmos V came with some sticky foam/rubbery pieces that I placed on the SSD, to give better grip/friction against the cover. I do wonder that if the SSD isn't held firmly that it might introduce some force on the connector and motherboard. That's why I asked about caddy or how other laptops were set up.

Anyway I think I'm fine with the way I have it set up.

Its a nice laptop.

 

[MichaelJones]

Three months on with the Cosmos V. Still working fine.

Power on button sometimes needs a bit of a wriggle before it powers on. But otherwise it is fine. I like this laptop very much. Running Linux Mint, and can even run Win7 in a VM (when I need iTunes).