PCSpecialist Optimus V X13 Review

1. Introduction2. PCSpecialist Optimus V X13 (Packaging & Accessories)3. PCSpecialist Optimus V X134. PCSpecialist Optimus V X13 (High Res Gallery)5. Testing Methodology & Configuration6. SiSoft Sandra7. Cinebench R11.5 64 bit8. Cinebench R159. Unigine Heaven Benchmark10. Unigine Valley Benchmark11. 3DMark12. HDD Performance13. USB 3.0 Bandwidth Testing14. Grid Autosport15. Tomb Raider16. Total War: Rome 217. Wolfenstein: The New Order18. Thermal Dynamics19. Acoustics Performance20. Battery Performance21. Closing Thoughts22. View All Pages

If you are looking for a portable, yet extremely powerful laptop then the PCSpecialist Optimus V X13 should certainly be making a final shortlist.

First impressions of the Optimus V X13 are positive. The design is functional yet reserved and sure to appeal to the audience who don't yearn for a lot of glowing LED lights when the machine is powered on. Build quality is excellent and we particularly like the matt style material used on the lid. It is resistive to scratching and very easy to clean at the end of the day … simply rub with a cloth and it looks as good as new again.

The chiclet style keyboard is pleasant and comfortable to use, offering two levels of backlighting intensity to suit a variety of working environments. The 1080p 13.3 inch monitor is certainly a cut above what we would consider ‘average' in this price category, combining good viewing angles with rich colour saturation and excellent text clarity.

On board audio is unremarkable, even though there is ONKYO branding clearly visible on the chassis. There is a reasonable level of volume available, but without any kind of bass response  audio quality is flat and lifeless. Headphones or external speakers should be added if you are going to be using the Optimus V X13 for serious media or gaming duties.

Technically, it is hard to find fault with the PCSpecialist specifications. The Intel Core i7 4710MQ processor is immensely powerful considering the 13.3 inch form factor. It will be able to handle anything you can throw at it, from simple office work to more intensive 3D rendering duties.

The Nvidia GTX 860M is a very capable mobile graphics solution. It can handle many of the latest Direct X 11 games at 1080p with image quality dialed up close to the limit. Considering the shared dual heatpipe cooling methodology inside the machine, there is no doubt everything is running right at the performance limits.

My biggest gripe in using the PCSpecialist Optimus V X13 was the hot spot near the main venting port on the left and the distracting noise levels when the system is heavily loaded. It is the nature of the game, there is always a trade off when using a Core i7 processor and discrete graphics card within such a confined space.

We would have liked to have seen a fullly fledged Solid State drive used in this system, rather than a lackluster 1TB Seagate Hybrid SSHD however PCSpecialist have been working to a tight price point. The Optimus V X13 is available for £749.00 inc vat. If you are in the market for a 13 inch gaming laptop and are working to a budget well under a grand the PCSpecialist Optimus V X13 deserves some serious consideration. If I was buying this machine myself, I would budget a little extra and get a quality Solid State Drive installed.

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Pros:

• well built.
• Core i7 and Nvidia discrete graphics pack a combined punch.
• backlit keyboard.
• decent battery life for general duties.
• good 1080p screen.
• competitive pricing.
• small chassis.
• easy to access components.
• loads of USB 3.0 ports.

Cons:

• can get loud.
• hot spot on left of machine.
• weak onboard audio.
• Hybrid SSHD drive can't match a proper SSD.

Kitguru says: Need a powerful 13 inch laptop? The Optimus V X13 packs a serious punch.

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