SOLAR COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED

What SOLAR COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED does

Solar Computer Systems Limited is an independent Northampton, UK-based computer retailer and service provider, founded in April 2000 by brothers Chris and John Hawkins with original funding from the Prince's Youth Business Trust (PYBT). The company designs and assembles custom-built desktop and laptop computers ranging from basic office systems to high-performance gaming rigs, and offers brand-agnostic hardware and software repair, component upgrades, preventive servicing, and virus removal for individual consumers and small businesses. All operations are conducted from a single physical storefront at 175 Kettering Road, with no e-commerce channel; customer contact is via walk-in, telephone (01604 454705), email, WhatsApp, and organic social media (Facebook, Twitter).

The business is a founder-led micro-enterprise of approximately three key personnel. Co-founder Chris Hawkins remains active; co-founder John Hawkins departed in late 2005, when Hugh Keegan was appointed Director, bringing web design and gaming peripheral expertise. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales (custom builds, refurbished systems, peripherals from brands such as Razer, Logitech, and Gigabyte), professional service fees for diagnostics, repairs, and upgrades, and consumables such as blank media and ink cartridges. The company holds authorised reseller status with Gigabyte, OEM system builder accreditation with Microsoft, Virgin Broadband reseller status, and partnerships with DiskLabs and Bunker Backup, and is a member of the Brigantia Group distribution network.

Distribution is exclusively direct-to-customer through the Northampton shop; marketing relies on word-of-mouth, published customer testimonials, social media, and local recognition (Three Best Rated's 'Best Computer and Laptop Repair Shop in Northampton'). The customer base spans gaming enthusiasts seeking bespoke high-performance builds, small businesses requiring IT infrastructure and ongoing maintenance, and general consumer walk-in repair and accessory demand. No financial figures, headcount trends, or external funding rounds are disclosed.

Name

SOLAR COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED

Legal name

Solar Computer Systems Limited

Website

https://solarcomputers.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Solar Computer Systems Limited is a Northampton-based independent retailer offering custom-built PCs, brand-agnostic computer repairs, upgrades, accessories, and gaming peripherals to local consumers and small businesses from a single physical storefront.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Northampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Built Computer Sales: Design and build custom PCs and laptops to customer specifications, ranging from basic office machines to high-performance gaming systems. One-time purchase model with pricing based on component selection and build complexity.
2. Repair and Servicing: Technical repair services for hardware and software issues including component replacement, virus removal, system optimisation, and preventative maintenance. One-time service fees.
3. Accessories and Peripherals: Sale of accessories including mice, keyboards, speakers, headsets, cables, ink cartridges, thermal compound, and gaming peripherals from brands like Razer and Logitech.
4. Consumables and Media: Blank CDs, DVDs, and other consumable media products sold alongside hardware.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Solar Computer Systems Limited designs and assembles custom-built PCs and laptops (ranging from basic office machines to high-performance gaming systems) from its Northampton retail location. The business also provides comprehensive brand-agnostic computer and laptop repair, virus removal, hardware upgrades, and preventive servicing, alongside retail of computer accessories, peripherals, and refurbished systems.

Product overview

Solar Computer Systems Limited operates as a local computer and laptop retail and service business offering custom-built PC and laptop computers alongside comprehensive repair, upgrade, and maintenance services. The core offering consists of bespoke computer builds ranging from standard office systems to high-performance gaming rigs, complemented by hardware and software repair services for all brands. Additional services include virus removal, preventive servicing, and component upgrades. The company also retails computer accessories and refurbished systems. All services are provided from a single Northampton location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Built PC and Laptop Computers

Quantifiable outcome

• Systems built to outperform mass-produced equivalents
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brigantia GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSolar Computer Systems has been a member of the Brigantia Group since opening in 2000. Brigantia is a technology distribution and services group providing access to products, support, and business development resources for IT resellers.
• GigabytecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSolar Computer Systems is a Gigabyte Authorised Reseller, enabling them to source and sell Gigabyte graphics cards, motherboards, and other components with manufacturer support and warranty backing.
• Virgin MediaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSolar Computer Systems is a Virgin Broadband Reseller, offering internet services to customers alongside their hardware and repair services.
• MicrosoftcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAccredited as a Microsoft OEM system builder, allowing Solar Computer Systems to legally install and sell systems with genuine Microsoft operating systems, providing customers with properly licensed software.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Broad incumbents

• Box Limited (Box.co.uk): UK retailer of laptops, PCs, and gaming systems including custom builds; overlaps with Solar in product range but operates at significantly larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Currys: UK's largest high-street electronics retailer selling PCs, laptops, accessories, and repair services; competes with Solar across retail, accessories, and repair categories but at a national scale.
• Amazon UK: Dominant UK e-commerce platform for PCs, laptops, components, and accessories; exerts sustained pricing pressure on local computer retailers like Solar across most retail categories.

Direct peers

• Overclockers UK: UK specialist retailer of gaming PCs, components, and peripherals operating a strong online store with enthusiast community presence; competes with Solar across custom builds and accessories for the same gaming customer.
• PC Specialist: UK-based specialist builder of custom gaming and workstation PCs with a comparable bespoke-build value proposition and direct-to-consumer online model; competes for the same custom-PC customer segment that Solar targets.
• Scan Computers: Established UK custom PC builder and component retailer with online configurator and B2B services; comparable to Solar across custom builds, repairs, and accessories for enthusiasts and SMB customers.
• CCL Online: UK-based custom PC builder and component retailer serving gaming and SMB customers with bespoke system configuration; comparable to Solar across custom builds and accessories.
• Ebuyer: Large UK online retailer of PCs, laptops, components, and accessories; competes directly with Solar's retail and accessories offering, particularly in the Northampton catchments of price-sensitive buyers.
• Chillblast: UK-based custom gaming PC and laptop builder with award-winning systems and a direct-to-consumer online sales model, comparable to Solar's custom-build service in product category and target market.
• CyberPower UK: UK branch of a global custom gaming PC manufacturer offering configurable bespoke builds with online configuration tools; overlaps directly with Solar's custom gaming PC offering at the enthusiast buyer level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SolarComputers
• Facebookfacebook.com/Solar-Computers-103057526444059

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SOLAR COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED