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If you buy one of these there is a ‘warranty void' sticker over one of the screws so be aware!
The internal design is nothing radical, both CPU and GPU are cooled via heatpipes which lead away to a block which is cooled by a fan. There is an exhaust at the right here to expel the hot air.
This system is nVidia Optimus capable which means it has a dual system of Intel HD graphics and Nvidia Geforce 310M. The Intel HD graphics operate when not under load, and when the demand requires it, the nvidia solution takes over.
The wireless antenna and the 500GB Western Digital Scorpio Blue Hard drive. These are fantastic 2.5 inch hard drives, being one of the quietest on the market. It also incorporates the Western Digital ShockGuard technology to protect the drive mechanics and platter surfaces from shocks.
4GB of DDR3 memory is installed, running in dual channel mode. This is A-Data HY73I1B0873Zs running at 1066mhz (it is capable of running at 1333mhz).
When the system is first powered on, it goes through the MSI configuration for first time set up. You get the option to install a variety of software from a list – an option we really like, as you can remove some of the prebundled items if you wish.
If you choose to install everything, the list above shows a ‘full install suite'. We aren't sure everyone will want the ArcSoft bundled package or Norton Internet Security, but apart from this, the install is relatively clean.
A total score of 4.6 with the Windows Experience Index gives an early indication of a high performance, balanced laptop. The limiting factor is not the mechanical harddrive, but the nVidia 310M graphics solution.
Today we will be comparing the CX623 to several other systems we have reviewed in the past. The ASRock Ion3D system, to give an indication of potential benefits when upgrading from an ATOM powered computer, and the MSI FX 600 Laptop, which features an Intel Core i3 330M processor.
Great looking laptop, not so sure about the keyboard flex, although more laptops seem to have this problem now. it is down to cut price support beams or something?
The pinstripe is cool, liked the close up shot. interesting how they make the pattern with dots.
Good battery life, seems all round very impressive, apart from hardcore gaming.
If they sold this with a better GFX id be all over it.
Excellent, I actually saw this in PCWORLD over here last week, and was t empted, but I wasnt sure about the performance. Hey whats with MSI putting a warranty void over the screw? thats a bad move, how are we meant to upgrade it? send it back to them for an extra cost 🙁 that pissed me off.
310M seems to suck hard. rest of it is good however. but id need something more beefy for my laptop in gaming side.
Not many ports down the sides, id like 3 USBs, 2 on one side and 1 on the other, not most of them on the back, its a pain to get there. a few other ideas I like with the design, but that pinstripe thing would hurt my eyes.
Good review, battery life is impressive considering the power of the CPU. Im not keen on the styling myself, it loks like a toshiba machine I had years ago.
What about the build quality? it looks ok, but are all the parts fitted well?
Not for me, im a sony man through and through
Temps are good and battery life. the pros outweigh the cons, shame about the lackluster gfx performance.
I have had a MSI 3 series laptop for years now and have no intention of replacing it. I only surf and play flash gameson the move. I can recommend them as a laptop they rock.
For 600 quid it seems fairly good although acer do a machine with a better gfx and the same CPU for 650.
I like it, its better than my desktop machine right now 🙁 im poor !
The overall machine looks like it would burn your eyes out in sunlight, so many reflective surfaces. good job getting the pictures taken without burning all the surfaces out! Not my scene really I like alienware.
MSI make great machines, i love their gear.
i bought this laptop yesterday from an ebay saller for 415pounds new i think i made a good deal 😉
I had one last two day … its stupied laptop .. its said it will switch to nidia GPU with it have load gaming and it didnt most time + you can not switch to 1 gb nvidia card manully or by and way ..there is no way to switch manully btween GPU in it .. I which i can sell it with helf price ..its ig lose