PCS Laptop build quality

[Dragilex]

I'd like to address both PCS and the forum in general (especially those who own PCS laptops).

I'm looking at some point in the future (could be the autumn, could be January) to get a gaming laptop (I've always been a desktop man but need to be portable around the house now). I've always known where to go for desktops but laptops seem a whole new world. I've scoured the obvious 'branded' places like Toshiba, ASUS, Acer, MSI, etc etc. All quite expensive, limited options. So the more customisable easily contactable PC builders like PCS have come to light. PCS has been recommended several times. I awful for checking review websites, always bitter/sweet with their positive and negative reviews.

Basically PCS can offer me a laptop in the configuration I want for a much better price so I would like to ask how does the quality of PCS laptop builds hold up against the more mainstream 'branded' models. PCS obviously give me your best marketing speak, forum users try to be objective please.

The ability to select a build and then offer it out to the PCS forum for comment before purchase is obviously a big bonus to avoid any glaring pitfalls a lesser techy wouldn't notice. Can I also say the calls waiting webpage is genius.

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

Couldnt comment on the build quality of laptops, but my PCS PC has a great build quality with clearly much thought into cable management etc and placement of your hardearned hardware.

I think a big "Pro" when buying from PCS, is that should there be a problem with a component or software or anything, they (by perusing the forum) seem helpful and speedy at sorting problems.

But I think the biggest "Pro" when buying from PCS, is that should you remain unhappy with problems, or feel that the build quality is inferior to that of PC World, you can click here, put the address into your satnav of choice (allowing for the satnav to be fully functional and not itself need fixing/changing...) and go to Yorkshire and beat down on them until they help/refund/agree with your own take on life.

And the forum's fun too...

DED

(Although the address is available on the Contact Us page, I believe the 30ft electrified fence and 4 armed guards at the only gate rather negate any attempts at an Assault on Unit 20/20A!)

 

[Scryus]

I'm also interested in purchasing a laptop. I can get a great spec'd laptop from Acer for £800 and the Pcspecialist version is the same, with a better screen (pretty much). I want to know I'm not sacrificing build quality for just a higher res. screen.

Can anyone confirm, preferably with pics or vids?

Much appreciated,

Scryus.

Also, my other question was, will this laptop play WoW at full graphics (minus shadows) at the 1080p resolution? [optimus II, i7-2630qm, 8gb ram, GT 540M]

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

If you want pics and vids, check out the Show Off section. Plenty of customers do write-ups and post both pics and vids of their PCS machines.

For more specific info on your proposed order, start a thread here and you'll get tonnes of feedback (if its need of course!).

And I have to say, I think trusting Acer or any big manufacturer to come up with better quality than smaller companies is a tad off the mark anyway. When you get given the name of the person that built your PC, tested it, QCed it and even packed it (Mr Cunliffe), thats a lot of accountability that says "We KNOW this is good - if it isn't, we'll sort it...and put a black mark against their name on the wall chart!"

(Someone else reply! I'm starting to look like some kind of fanboy!)

 

[Flucky]

lso, my other question was, will this laptop play WoW at full graphics (minus shadows) at the 1080p resolution? [optimus II, i7-2630qm, 8gb ram, GT 540M]

Hi Scryus - it will be able to play WoW in Ultra in the quieter areas but in an instance/raid you'd have to dial down to High or similar. That's what I'd PREDICT though, results may vary

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-540M.41715.0.html

 

[Dragilex]

Cheers for the feedback DeadEye. I do the personal accountability of smaller PC companies. Guess I now just wait till its laptop buying time and get feedback on my proposed build.

 

[drillerman46]

I'm also interested in purchasing a laptop. I can get a great spec'd laptop from Acer for £800 and the Pcspecialist version is the same, with a better screen (pretty much). I want to know I'm not sacrificing build quality for just a higher res. screen.

Can anyone confirm, preferably with pics or vids?

Much appreciated,

Scryus.

Also, my other question was, will this laptop play WoW at full graphics (minus shadows) at the 1080p resolution? [optimus II, i7-2630qm, 8gb ram, GT 540M]

Hi,
I noticed your comments and felt obliged to reply.
1. Be careful buying ACER. I bought an ACER ASPIRE just under 3 yrs ago. It has been treated with kid-gloves all that time. I have had to send it back on 3 occasions for broken DC jack, broken battery clips and the last time I sent it back was for screen bezel cracks. Acer accused me of damaging my own laptop and refused to cover the cracks. There is much coverage of ACER cracks which I showed them (See links). For this reason I will never buy another product from ACER ever and will do my best to stop anyone else buying from them too.
2. With regards the Optimus II, I have just bought one and it has worked faultlessly and runs games very quickly including CRYSIS. The optimus technology is pretty quirky but once you suss it out it is ok! The actual build IMO feel "plastic" and a bit cheap. The laptop case is a generic case as I have seen it being sold on other websites. My specs are i7-2620QM 540gtm 1 gig 8gig hyper genesis ram and WD scorpio 250gig HD. Is it worth £800+? Yes and No! Yes for the spec. The cheapest equivalent spec on the high stret was £1100. No for looks and touchy, feely bits.

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.u...190781-Acer-Aspire-6920g-6930g-6935g-problems

Also, this thread with cracks appearing near hinges, albeit on a different model:

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/acer-c138244.html

..and another about cracks and other issues

http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/30960-acer-build-quality-24.html

..another

http://www.allquests.com/question/103711-1/ACER-Build-Quality.html

this one actually refers to an LCD bezel that needed replacing amongst other things:

http://www.fixya.com/support/t2666785-acer_laptop_crack_back_lcd_near_hinges

and one more:

http://www.fixya.com/support/t945096-acer_3610_crack_hinges_monitor

 

[Jimbhoy]

Hi,

regarding build quality, I received my new laptop based on the Vortex II 17.3" chassis and can say nothing but good things about it. For similar specs on eg. amazon, you would be looking at another £800 - £1K and wouldn't be able to tailor it to exactly what you need. No point in paying for options you'll never use.

(If anyone is silly enough to mention Alienware and give their home address, then I will be around 1st thing tomorrow with a large fish to try and slap some sense into them). In the nicest way possible of course.

It took a few weeks to actually get it here but I'd far rather that than it just being 'cobbled together'. That did include Easter Bank Holiday period to be honest and I was kept totally updated without having to phone or e-mail. Can't really argue with pro-active customer support before the machine's even arrived.

The fact that there is complete transparancy with who built, tested and quality controled the rig also does inspire confidence.

And for £5 you can add (to the already very good warrently package) 12 month "pick up and replace" option.

I don't think PCS would offer that if they weren't confident in the quality of the build.

I'm starting to sound like a salesman here but I'm not recommending any company over another - I can only comment on my experience. Just always do your research - at the end of the day it's your money and you will get what you pay for.

Hope you find something you're happy with.

J