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Argos has partnered with independent system builder Utopia Computers to sell its Pandora desktops and custom-built laptops online.
Utopia says it’s the only UK independent with products listed in Argos’ ‘Online Exclusive’ range, and has been working hard to create systems that would appeal to Argos and its customers.
There are two Pandora desktop PCs and three laptops available on Argos’ website.
The Argos retail Pandora SKUs are priced at £1,459.99 (MK I i5 8GB RAM 1TB HDD Gaming PC) and £1,789.99 (MK II i7 16GB RAM 2TB HDD Gaming PC).
The highest spec includes an overclocked Intel CoreTM i7 Processor, 16GB of highspeed DDR31600MHz memory, 2TB hard drive (7200 RPM) accompanied by a high performance 250GB solid state boot drive, slotloading DVD burner, Nvidia GeForceTM GTX 770 graphics card with 2GB of video RAM, Highspeed Dual Band WiFi with Gigabit Ethernet, and the latest Windows 8.1.
Each desktop has a custom chassis painted in a one-off metallic arctic white exclusively for Argos. They measure 397mm tall, 185mm wide and 235mm long. The parts inside are rotated 90 degrees to exhaust hot air out the top of the chassis, with cool air being sucked in from the bottom to prevent overheating. The chassis allows 10.5-inch+ graphics cards to be installed.
The laptops include Utopia’s Sabre13, Haze15 and Haze17 gaming systems. These are also adorned with the exclusive paintwork, latest Intel Core i7 mobile processors, KillerTM gaming-grade WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet and more. The range will ship with Utopia’s ‘Transit Armour’ wooden ammo crate, free lifetime tech support and exclusive 10 year limited warranty, which Utopia says is the longest in the UK.
“This is huge step for the Utopia brand”, said Mark Laurie, Director at Utopia Computers. "We’ve been working extremely hard over the last few years to build a reputable brand that consumers can trust, and now that we are the only UK independent to be listed in Argos’s ‘Online Exclusive’ range I think I can safely say that we’ve been successful.”
Craig Hume, Director at Utopia Computers, added: "The whole team at Utopia are very excited to see our systems being stocked by such a highly regarded retailer. Within the last year, we started offering trade prices to other indie retailers throughout the UK, but this takes us to the next level.
“It was through the relationships I made with other members of Network Group that this has become possible. Without their advice and support, it would have taken a lot longer to get to this stage, if at all. We are now in talks with other national retailers, and I look forward to seeing our range of systems in more stores in the coming months.”
