BIOS: Technology Means Business

UK-based Rock is consistently first to market with cutting-edge laptops at competitive prices, but its systems somehow fail to get us excited. The Pegasus 665 is no different. The 15.4-inch system is extremely versatile, offering Intel Core 2 Duo processing for playing games, watching movies or getting your work done on the move, up to 2GB DDR2 memory, and nVidia 3D graphics chipset. So what’s the problem? Well, it’s just so boring…

The granite-grey Pegasus 665 is excellent value, and from just £680 (ex. VAT) you can get an Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 processor (1.83GHz, 2MB cache), WXGA (1280x800 pixels) X-Glass display, 256MB GeForce Go 7600 graphics chipset (GeForce 7950 Go GTX 512MB not available on this model), 512MB DDR2 (667MHz) RAM, 80GB 5400rpm SATA HDD, and 8x +/- Dual Layer DVD Writer. Rock even throws in a black nylon carrying case. The top-of-the-range model reviewed here (from £1020 ex. VAT) bumps the specifications up to an Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 processor (2.33GHz, 4MB cache), 1GB DDR2 (667MHz) RAM, and 120GB HDD (upgradeable to 160GB).

Unfortunately you have to pay an extra £49 (ex. VAT) for a better WSXGA+ (1680x1050 pixels) display, and Bluetooth costs an additional £20 (ex. VAT). And there’s no built-in Web camera, 3G, or Digital DVB-T TV tuner (optional external non-MCE unit available for £49 ex. VAT). Another surprise is that Rock charges £25 (ex. VAT) for a 30-day ‘Zero Dead Pixel Guarantee’. Surely Rock should include this quality control check before it ships a laptop to a customer?

On the plus side, the Pegasus 665 does come with integrated Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g (dedicated front-mounted on/off switch appreciated), Gigabit Ethernet, V.92 modem, DVI and S-Video out connections, 4-in-1 memory card reader, 4-pin FireWire, three USB 2.0 ports, Express Card slot, headphone and microphone ports, dedicated volume dial, and a 3-year insurance-backed Collect & Return Warranty. Windows XP Home is the pre-installed operating system of choice, although you can upgrade to Windows Vista Business or Windows XP Professional for an additional £50 (ex. VAT).

The Pegasus 665 is billed as a general Core 2 Duo laptop. Its performance is good for its price, but as far as 3D prowess goes, there are far better performers. Nonetheless, the Pegasus 665 is quite capable of playing the latest games without jerkiness, if you’re prepared to compromise on detail settings and resolution, and it will run typical business applications with ease. The 15.4-inch widescreen TFT display produces a pin-sharp image (although we’d recommend the WSXGA+ option), and its anti-glare coating produces a rich and balanced image quality from a variety of viewing angles.

At 3kg it’s also relatively light considering its range of features, and its low profile makes it less bulky to carry. The positioning of the ports and sockets are considered, with nothing out of place, and the ‘silent mode’ button positioned above the keyboard reduces fan noise for those pensive moments. Battery life is a little woeful, lasting around 1h 45m, but this type of machine isn’t really designed for hours of power outlet autonomy.

Perhaps more disappointing is the poor build quality - the keyboard flexes quite dramatically and the mouse buttons are annoyingly loud when clicked. If you are looking for a good range of features and processing power for your money, Rock’s Pegasus 665 may be worth considering. If you want a solid corporate workhorse, or a lavish multimedia system for home use, there are more appealing choices. [6.5]

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