BIOS: Technology Means Business

After successfully integrating Intel Core 2 Duo processor into high performance gaming laptops, Rock has identified that Intel’s new processor also offers a great level of performance and power saving for education and business users. Not only does the silver-and-black Pegasus T12 have the computation power to run typical business applications and Windows Vista with ease, but its 10,000mAh extended battery (you’ll have to excuse the unsightly bulge at the rear of the system, and the 3.1kg weight) means that the Pegasus T12 can operate with typical office applications for over 7 hours - perfect from most business trips.

The Pegasus T12 is built for running typical Windows applications, so gamers and workstation users need not apply. It sports a reasonable 15.4-inch widescreen (1280x800 pixels) display, which is a great size for business users glued to the screen while on the road (anything smaller is uncomfortable after a couple of hours), but has slightly restrictive viewing angles and a light graininess across the whole display. There’s also support for up to 2GB of DDR2 667MHz system memory, a single 120- to 160GB SATA (5400rpm) HDD, and 8x Dual Layer DVD burner.

Processor options range from Intel’s Core 2 Duo T5600 (from £680 ex. VAT) up to the Core 2 Duo T7600 (from £977 ex. VAT). If your budget is really tight, you can even specify an Intel Celeron M 430 (from £594 ex. VAT). Although there’s no problem with the system in terms of processing power, the use of Intel’s integrated 945GM Express chipset means it will struggle to play anything but the most basic of games. Connectivity options are about as basic as you can get, too. There’s integrated Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g (but without a dedicated front-mounted on/off switch), Gigabit Ethernet, V.92 modem, VGA and S-Video out, four USB 2.0 ports, Express Card slot, headphone and microphone ports, as well as a S/PDIF-out jack. Nowhere to be seen is a DVI connection, memory card reader, FireWire port, or dedicated volume dial/controls).

On the plus side, it does come with a 3-year insurance-backed Collect & Return Warranty. Windows Vista Home Premium is the pre-installed operating system of choice, but you can specify Windows Vista Business (extra £50 ex. VAT) or Windows Vista Premium (extra £80 ex. VAT). If your business is not ready for Vista, Rock charges an additional £50 (ex. VAT) for Windows XP Professional - ludicrous!

Rock’s Pegasus T12 has been designed to ensure that its users can be confident that the laptop will perform ‘all’ day long. Whether in a teaching environment or at work, the Pegasus T12 will help you to be more productive. It does have some serious limitations, however, excluding its lacklustre design. Most noticeably is the lack of an X-Glass display, Bluetooth is not an option, and there’s no built-in Web camera, 3G, or Digital DVB-T TV tuner (optional external non-MCE units are 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?

Rock’s Pegasus T12 would make a reasonable business workhorse for frequent travellers with relatively basic needs, but you can get a lot more for your money from a Tier-1 manufacturer. Corporates and gamers should definitely look elsewhere. [6]

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