MSI GX600 Performance Laptop Review

Mobile/Laptops & Netbooks by jmke @ 2008-04-02

MSI laptops are becoming more popular with good reason, offering excellent performance at competitive prices. Their latest gaming laptop comes with retro style Turbo button which overclocks the CPU on the fly. Equipped with 8600M GT and 2Gb ram this multimedia power house aims to impress.

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Introduction & Specs

Introduction

If one year ago somebody told us we could buy a laptop at ~€1000 capable of running the latest games, we would not believe it. Today we have the pleasure to test one such notebook, although it has been on the market for a few months now, the competition in the price bracket remains stiff.

The MSI GX600 Performance notebook comes with plenty of multimedia features as well as a gaming orientated GPU (8600M GT) and features a unique turbo button. Before we delve into the specifics of this gem, let’s take first look at the 15.4” notebook:

Madshrimps (c)


The transparent piece of cloth serves to protect the screen from getting damaged by the keys on the keyboard, when transporting the laptop. MSI urges to re-use this cloth when moving about.

After removing that cloth you have access to the power button to boot the system for the first time, let’s see what lies under the hood.

Specifications

  • Black (shiny)
  • CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2Ghz
  • Memory: 2x Slots DDR2, both occupied by 2x1Gb Modules
  • Chipset: Intel PM965
  • Screen Size: 15.4” Glare
  • Resolution: WXGA 1280x800
  • Video Card: NVIDIA Geforce 8600M GT 512Mb (up to 768 TurboCache)
  • Hard Disk: SATA 250Gb 5400rpm
  • Optical Drive: Dual Layer CD/DVD Burner
  • Card-Reader: SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro
  • Webcam: 1.3 MPixel
  • Speakers: Integrated
  • Connectivity: 1Gbps LAN, WLAN up to 300Mbit/s (IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n), 56Kbps Modem, Bluetooth
  • Mouse: Touchpad
  • Ports: 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x FireWire,1 x RJ-45,1 x RJ-11, 1 x HDMI, 1 x VGA,1 x TV-Out,1 x Line-Out, 1 x Expresscard 54,1x eSATA
  • Battery: 6-Cell Lithium Lion
  • Weight: 2.8Kg
  • Dimensions: 358x32x259mm
  • Extra’s: Mouse & Backpack
  • Operating System Preinstalled: Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Warranty: 24 Months

    Notice in the specs that MSI includes a gaming (wired) mouse which allows for real-time DPI adjustment, and also a fancy blue backpack. The photo below courtesy of notebookreview.

    Madshrimps (c)
    Please note that in the photo the headset is NOT included with the GX600 Performance. The higher end “GX600 Extreme” includes the headset.


    Let us take a closer look at the package contents and the GX600P ->
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    Comment from jmke @ 2008/04/02
    my first lappy review, what is missing, what can I do better in the future?
    Comment from Massman @ 2008/04/03
    I like it, compleet, good pictures, good benchmarks ... I have nothing to comment on (yet )
    Comment from thorgal @ 2008/04/04
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jmke View Post
    my first lappy review, what is missing, what can I do better in the future?
    Like the review very much, read the whole thing

    Only thing that I'd like to be more elaborated are the battery tests, or rather "a" battery test, if possible a repeatable one.
    Comment from jmke @ 2008/04/04
    this test is repeatable
    running 3DMark06 in loop until system shuts down isn't very hard
    Comment from thorgal @ 2008/04/04
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jmke View Post
    this test is repeatable
    running 3DMark06 in loop until system shuts down isn't very hard
    Not really light use hey A battery test should consist out of two or three scenario's : for example: wireless browsing while listening to music (1), watching a DVD (2), gaming (or 3D06 if you like) (3).
    Comment from Massman @ 2008/04/04
    in two different test environments: Power saving and at full speed.
    Comment from jmke @ 2008/04/04
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by thorgal View Post
    Not really light use hey A battery test should consist out of two or three scenario's : for example: wireless browsing while listening to music (1), watching a DVD (2), gaming (or 3D06 if you like) (3).
    scenario 1 & 3 are mentioned in article
    Comment from thorgal @ 2008/04/04
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jmke View Post
    scenario 1 & 3 are mentioned in article
    You said it : "mentioned". Put an exact figure (minutes) on it to compare in future laptop reviews.
    Comment from jmke @ 2008/04/04
    Balanced
    2.2Ghz (stock) 3Dmark06 loop: 49min
    2.2Ghz (stock) Idle browsing: 120min
    Comment from geoffrey @ 2008/04/09
    At work, we test batteries by loading them with a heavy duty resistor. A pc browsing the net will average at around X current, while heavy load will make it consume Y current. You can simulate X and Y situations by using different resistor configurations. Not exactly a real time benchmark, but you do get exact results this way. Downside, you might kill the battery when running it completely empty, you need an automatic stop circuit, for example when the battery voltage drops below 11V (no idea how much is really need to make the PC shut down). Nothing too hard to build, costs nearly nothing too.
    Comment from jmke @ 2008/04/09
    drop me a line when you're up to the challenge

     

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