MSI GT663R notebook � The powerhouse; the wannabe Review

For a machine which is trying to compete with the Alienware series of machines, the GT663R does have all the performance and punch. However, it does not feel as expensive as it actually is and does have some rough edges in terms of build quality. Iif you are willing to overlook this, it is a very good option if you are out to buy a gaming laptop. However, at this price, you may not be able to overlook it!

 

MSI has their own GT series of gaming laptops. Performance has never been a problem with the GT series. What they lack however is the look and build quality to match the Alienware machines. With the new GT663R, MSI seems to have dealt with one part of the problem. This one has the serious look, which works well in its favour. However, has MSI got the rest of the package right? Let’s find out…

[RELATED_ARTICLE]Take the GT663R out of the box pack, and what immediately grabs your attention is the fact that you need both hands (and probably a leg!) to get it out of the box. This monster of a machine weighs 3.5 kg. The lid has the glossy black coloured finish, and we would advice you to leave the protective skin layer on it as long as possible, to prevent it from getting scratched instantly. Also on the lid, just below the MSI logo is an orange LED. Open the lid to reveal the keyboard in black colour, the touchpad in one shade of grey, the palm-rest in another shade of grey colour a bit of chrome thrown in. The speakers have been dressed with a red ring, which somehow does not go well with the entire theme. The 15.6 inch screen is flanked by the HD webcam, which is placed just above it.

The dedicated control options are well laid out here – and there are even controls for starting and stopping the internal cooling fan, apart from controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Turbo mode and Eco mode. For volume and screen brightness controls, users are dependent on the keyboard shortcuts.

The looks of the GT663R are aggressive and matter of fact. However, the build quality leaves a sour taste. The plasticky build is a disappointment, particularly when the Alienware machines are being targeted. The keyboard had a slight, but visible, dip in certain places. Not expected from such an expensive machine.

Read on to know about the performance, our verdict and the price…

[RELATED_ARTICLE]There is absolutely no other way of saying this – the GT663R is a monster. Powered by Intel’s Core i7-740QM processor clocking at 1.73GHz and paired with a humungous 8GB of system memory, the GT663R is no slouch. Nvidia’s GeForce GTX460M finds its way on board, with 1.5GB of dedicated graphics memory. Two 500GB hard drives provide more than enough storage space. The 15.6 inch HD screen has a resolution of 1366×768, and in our opinion, the notebook deserved more. A full HD resolution screen of 1920×1080 would have been ideal to match the superb configuration. The potential on paper is quickly translated into performance. The PCMark Vantage benchmark which tests the complete system performance returned with a score of 6679, which puts this machine squarely in the superfast category. And since this a gaming machine, the 3D Mark benchmark score is very crucial. A score of 13353 can only be deciphered in one way – blazing fast.

 

MSI offers this notebook with an optional Blu-ray drive as well. In terms of usability, this machine is best used placed on a table or a flat surface. The power package does tend to heat up quite a bit, and will get uncomfortable in the lap after a while. The machine comes with DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC capability, which translates into much better sound output from the speakers and any externally connected source. However, the laptop’s built-in speakers can only offer so much performance, and give up the ghost beyond that.

While we had criticized the keyboard for the shoddy build quality, we have to admit that it is extremely comfortable to use. The divided keys have a nice clicky response to every press, and the travel is comfortable. The key size is quite big as well, and still fits in the dedicated number-pad. The touchpad, however, is not very good. The sensitivity is not consistent, which results in inconsistent tracking and lack of precision. An external mouse is recommended here. The display is pretty much on the money. It is not as glossy as some of the notebooks we have seen recently, which reduces eye strain in scenarios when the screen can possibly reflect a lot of background light.

The MSI GT663R will not disappoint when it comes to sheer performance and the ‘I am out to get you’ looks. However, this machine has its share of rough edges, and if you are willing to overlook those niggles, this is a very good option if you are out to buy a gaming laptop. However, at this price, you may not be able to overlook them!

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Vishal Mathur

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