Well, here's my (fairly rubbish) review.. Pics and benchmarks will come tomorrow or Sunday. See the bottom of the post for the spec. Please note that I didn't proof read it, I just kinda typed it up and posted it. Let me know if you want more added to it 
Note: I installed Windows 7 x64 on it, and will install Ubuntu sometime this weekend.
I just want to start by saying that I am very impressed with this laptop, especially at the price
Appearance
Well, as you can probably tell from the pictures, this isn't the best looking laptop out there. It's not bad, it's just not incredibly sleek or anything. I do think it looks pretty nice when it's closed, but generally I'm not a huge fan of the appearance when open - the speakers look ugly, and the screen sits back and makes the system look quite odd. The chassis near the keyboard and touchpad has this line pattern going on it which actually I don't mind, it makes it look at least a little more interesting. Generally I'm not too fussed by aesthetics however. It was just a shame because I saw other systems that looked to have really nice looking chassis but unfortunately either didn't match my budget or didn't have a good enough spec. To be honest though, you already know what it looks like before you buy it so it's entirely subjective. On the plus side, its all pretty compact.. Also the screen is brilliant. You don't need it on full brightness (which certainly helps when using it on battery) and it's just so clear. It's also a really nice resolution. If you think the font size will bother you, just change the DPI.
Improvements
Well the chassis isn't manufactured by PCS. There's no specific improvements to be made, and PCS can't change how the chassis looks too much, I just wish the components fit in the nicer looking chassis
Build quality
Mostly, the build quality is fine. The main body of the chassis is sturdy (very sturdy, in fact. usually when you squeeze the main body they creak, this does not). The screen feels sturdy too, and it's got a pretty satisfying close. One thing to note though is that you really should do what the instruction manual says and close the lid with 2 hands (though not for the reason said in the manaul). It could just be that it's new, but once you get past a certain point it's got one hell of a snapping acton.
The only issue I really have with the build quality is that the battery feels a bit loose. When you put it on your leg you can feel it move, and if you poke it it will move a bit. The power never cuts out though, and the battery has never come off, so it's fine, just a little odd.
The underside also has a large panel with 3 screws to access the mobo, and here you are given easy access to the ram and the air intake (for cleaning). It's nice to see a laptop which is so easily accessible from the underside. Oddly the middle screw on my panel is a bit wonky and doesn't feel like it's gone all the way in, but the panel feels sturdy so I don't mind.
It doesn't seem to get too hot, and seems well ventilated. Also, I don't think it's too loud. Again, I'm used to a Dell XPS which was very loud and very hot due to the graphics card in it.
Improvements
None really, maybe look into why the battery wobbles.
Useability
The keyboard, in my opinion, is pretty nice. I like that it has a very definite click feeling when you hit the keys. The function button leads you to various features like media playback, brightness control and display switching whic is pretty standard these days on laptops. A couple of things to note:
1. No numpad. This makes perfect sense to me as otherwise you'd have a 15inch laptop with a tiny keyboard.
2. The function key is to the left of the ctrl key (i.e. the ctrl key is not the furthest one to the left). I don't see this as a problem - I'm used to it on my work thinkpad. However, some people may. Chances are, you'll get used to switching between fn on left and fn on right.
The touchpad is alright, it feels incredibly smooth which I like. I didn't find it quite sensitive enough, but I knocked the sensitivity up to full in windows and now it's about right (well, almost). A nice little feature is the button next to the touchpad to switch it off - particularly useful if you use a mouse but still type on the laptops keyboard. I couldn't get the touchpad scrolling working for some reason (I don't know what the touchpad brand is and can't find the software for it. There was no software for it on the disc). EDIT: Found the touchpad drivers on the Compal site here: http://ftp.compal.com/asp/driver_dnd/index.htm under NBLB2
I am definitely a fan of the fingerprint reader, it works every time for me without fail. This could be because I'm used to the quirks of the old fingerprint reader I had, but I'm unsure. Either way, I like it, and it intergrates perfectly into Windows.
Improvements
Maybe a small barrier around the touchpad, and also provide the touchpad drivers on the disc to allow scrolling. Also while typing this I just noticed that my A key squeaked. If it couldn't squeak, that would be great Honestly though I expect that will go pretty soon.
Connectivity
The connectivity on this is pretty good. It has an HDMI out (like most laptops now), 4 usb ports, ethernet, VGA, audio in, audio out, a memory card reader, bluetooth, and what appears to be an IR port on the front. One thing I particularly like is the convenient positioning of the headphone port - easy to get to. When I first opened this up, the positioning of the USB ports bothered me, as my XPS had 4 of its USB ports on the back and 2 on the side. However, I think I actually prefer it like this as they're all easier to get to. If you're moving around a laptop as you would expect, else why would you buy a laptop) then having easily accessible USB ports is very useful.
The system has a blu ray writer. I haven't tested writing any blu rays yet. One thing to note that I think is very important - the blu ray systems DO come with blu ray software. MAny blu ray drives don't, and you can't just download VLC to play them, so the addition of this software is definitely a bonus.
The HDMI out works fine, however I have found with every laptop I've tried that when you plug them into a TV, they always seem to have black borders around the entire image. It could just be my set, or it could be that I haven't explored the options well enough. I have a new Plasma (which I'm sending back) so I didn't really want to sit around for ages causing Windows logo image retention on the screen...
Improvements
The connectivity on this great, especially for a 15 inch laptop. I like the positioning of things *although* having USB ports so low on the right hand side does mean if you use a mouse you have to put your hand slightly further to the right. It's not really a problem, just something to note.
Note: I installed Windows 7 x64 on it, and will install Ubuntu sometime this weekend.
I just want to start by saying that I am very impressed with this laptop, especially at the price
Appearance
Well, as you can probably tell from the pictures, this isn't the best looking laptop out there. It's not bad, it's just not incredibly sleek or anything. I do think it looks pretty nice when it's closed, but generally I'm not a huge fan of the appearance when open - the speakers look ugly, and the screen sits back and makes the system look quite odd. The chassis near the keyboard and touchpad has this line pattern going on it which actually I don't mind, it makes it look at least a little more interesting. Generally I'm not too fussed by aesthetics however. It was just a shame because I saw other systems that looked to have really nice looking chassis but unfortunately either didn't match my budget or didn't have a good enough spec. To be honest though, you already know what it looks like before you buy it so it's entirely subjective. On the plus side, its all pretty compact.. Also the screen is brilliant. You don't need it on full brightness (which certainly helps when using it on battery) and it's just so clear. It's also a really nice resolution. If you think the font size will bother you, just change the DPI.
Improvements
Well the chassis isn't manufactured by PCS. There's no specific improvements to be made, and PCS can't change how the chassis looks too much, I just wish the components fit in the nicer looking chassis
Build quality
Mostly, the build quality is fine. The main body of the chassis is sturdy (very sturdy, in fact. usually when you squeeze the main body they creak, this does not). The screen feels sturdy too, and it's got a pretty satisfying close. One thing to note though is that you really should do what the instruction manual says and close the lid with 2 hands (though not for the reason said in the manaul). It could just be that it's new, but once you get past a certain point it's got one hell of a snapping acton.
The only issue I really have with the build quality is that the battery feels a bit loose. When you put it on your leg you can feel it move, and if you poke it it will move a bit. The power never cuts out though, and the battery has never come off, so it's fine, just a little odd.
The underside also has a large panel with 3 screws to access the mobo, and here you are given easy access to the ram and the air intake (for cleaning). It's nice to see a laptop which is so easily accessible from the underside. Oddly the middle screw on my panel is a bit wonky and doesn't feel like it's gone all the way in, but the panel feels sturdy so I don't mind.
It doesn't seem to get too hot, and seems well ventilated. Also, I don't think it's too loud. Again, I'm used to a Dell XPS which was very loud and very hot due to the graphics card in it.
Improvements
None really, maybe look into why the battery wobbles.
Useability
The keyboard, in my opinion, is pretty nice. I like that it has a very definite click feeling when you hit the keys. The function button leads you to various features like media playback, brightness control and display switching whic is pretty standard these days on laptops. A couple of things to note:
1. No numpad. This makes perfect sense to me as otherwise you'd have a 15inch laptop with a tiny keyboard.
2. The function key is to the left of the ctrl key (i.e. the ctrl key is not the furthest one to the left). I don't see this as a problem - I'm used to it on my work thinkpad. However, some people may. Chances are, you'll get used to switching between fn on left and fn on right.
The touchpad is alright, it feels incredibly smooth which I like. I didn't find it quite sensitive enough, but I knocked the sensitivity up to full in windows and now it's about right (well, almost). A nice little feature is the button next to the touchpad to switch it off - particularly useful if you use a mouse but still type on the laptops keyboard. I couldn't get the touchpad scrolling working for some reason (I don't know what the touchpad brand is and can't find the software for it. There was no software for it on the disc). EDIT: Found the touchpad drivers on the Compal site here: http://ftp.compal.com/asp/driver_dnd/index.htm under NBLB2
I am definitely a fan of the fingerprint reader, it works every time for me without fail. This could be because I'm used to the quirks of the old fingerprint reader I had, but I'm unsure. Either way, I like it, and it intergrates perfectly into Windows.
Improvements
Maybe a small barrier around the touchpad, and also provide the touchpad drivers on the disc to allow scrolling. Also while typing this I just noticed that my A key squeaked. If it couldn't squeak, that would be great
Honestly though I expect that will go pretty soon.Connectivity
The connectivity on this is pretty good. It has an HDMI out (like most laptops now), 4 usb ports, ethernet, VGA, audio in, audio out, a memory card reader, bluetooth, and what appears to be an IR port on the front. One thing I particularly like is the convenient positioning of the headphone port - easy to get to. When I first opened this up, the positioning of the USB ports bothered me, as my XPS had 4 of its USB ports on the back and 2 on the side. However, I think I actually prefer it like this as they're all easier to get to. If you're moving around a laptop as you would expect, else why would you buy a laptop) then having easily accessible USB ports is very useful.
The system has a blu ray writer. I haven't tested writing any blu rays yet. One thing to note that I think is very important - the blu ray systems DO come with blu ray software. MAny blu ray drives don't, and you can't just download VLC to play them, so the addition of this software is definitely a bonus.
The HDMI out works fine, however I have found with every laptop I've tried that when you plug them into a TV, they always seem to have black borders around the entire image. It could just be my set, or it could be that I haven't explored the options well enough. I have a new Plasma (which I'm sending back) so I didn't really want to sit around for ages causing Windows logo image retention on the screen...
Improvements
The connectivity on this great, especially for a 15 inch laptop. I like the positioning of things *although* having USB ports so low on the right hand side does mean if you use a mouse you have to put your hand slightly further to the right. It's not really a problem, just something to note.
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