MSI gx640 question

[liquidxit2]

Im wondering why there is no quad core option for this laptop. I have seen other vendors with a 720QM option. Is it going to be offered later on or never? Im torn between this and a full sized m17x to replace my dell vostro 1700.

Also a side question: What would be the average cost be for a 15.4 WUXGA screen to swap in.

[loco4christ]

hey man, im gettin the sager 8690, its got the greatest single card out, its got the quads and its only a 15.6, this thing is smokin and like $600 less then Alienware, but the alien is beautiful though, have u seen the lil m11x, I want to get that one, its got a 11.6 screen and 35 fps on MW2 :)

[liquidxit2]

I want to try and stay away from 16:9 screens. The only way I would even come near one at this time is if there was a 15.6FHD+ quad core ati GPU laptop with normal numpad layout. Im not a fan of the way sager/clevo makes their numpads. As for the m11x it looks cool but Im not a fan of that size, and if I were going for somethign that portable I would get a sony vaio p as Im a sucker for that size.

[powerpack]

NP8690 has everything you want but the number pad problem. MSI has a funny keyboard layout many complain about.

[liquidxit2]

WHat about the lack of a quad core option?

[jbermi]

you can get a 720qm, 820qm or the 920 in a NP8690. all quad cores.

[liquidxit2]

Im talking about the msi GX640...

[s-one]

Yea I'm with you op, looking for a 16:10 15" laptop i7. Seems like the only option is the MSI Force 1656 but it has a bleh vid card.

[jbermi]

I noticed on one website the 720 was a processor option. but not on xotic...should just ask the justins or joseph if it is possible to pop a 720 in there.

[liquidxit2]

Yea I'm with you op, looking for a 16:10 15" laptop i7. Seems like the only option is the MSI Force 1656 but it has a bleh vid card.

I saw another vender offering the 720Qm on the gx640 which is why I am wondering xotic isn't offering it as an option.

I noticed on one website the 720 was a processor option. but not on xotic...should just ask the justins or joseph if it is possible to pop a 720 in there.

I was hoping some of the powers that be at xotic would chime in on this soon. Granted the laptop isn't even available yet.

[liquidxit2]

Oh and as far as the keyboard is concerned I dont have any issue with that as this would be my 2nd MSI notebook and after owning that and a thinkpad I can deal with a slightly different configuration. Oh and Im glad they kept the same touch pad button style as my old 1013 as it makes me feel all nostalgic.

[Solannis]

The only thing I do not like about the MSI keyboards is the Fn and Ctrl keys are swapped from what I am used to on other laptops. I have had my Force 1651 for over a year now, and that still kind of frustrates me. Wish I could find a good way to remap those keys. But will I live with it because it is the otherwise perfect (for me) laptop that it is? Absolutely!

[liquidxit2]

The only thing I do not like about the MSI keyboards is the Fn and Ctrl keys are swapped from what I am used to on other laptops. I have had my Force 1651 for over a year now, and that still kind of frustrates me. Wish I could find a good way to remap those keys. But will I live with it because it is the otherwise perfect (for me) laptop that it is? Absolutely!


Hey I have some questions for you.

1) How are your temps?
2) other then the FN key placement how is typing on the keyboard?
3) How is the build quality of the notebook overall?

Thanks!

[Solannis]

Hey I have some questions for you.

1) How are your temps?
2) other then the FN key placement how is typing on the keyboard?
3) How is the build quality of the notebook overall?

Thanks!Here are your answers, based on my experience with the prior-year's model, the Force 1651, which is based on the MSI GX620/GT628.

1) I have never actually taken any direct temperature measurements. The laptop certainly gets warm under the front of the laptop where your hands would rest, but never hot to the touch to the point of being uncomfortable. More importantly, I never experienced any heat-related reboots or shut downs or lock ups. Which is why I never bothered to do any temperature measurements: I never needed to. No matter whether I was gaming, programming, using Office or anything.

2) Other than the FN key placement, the keyboard is okay. It takes a little time to adjust to due to the extra small period, slash, shift, and backslash keys, but having the full numeric pad is a great plus that makes it worth it. The keyboard has a couple of light spots under the E/R keys and under the l/;/. but nothing horrible. It is, otherwise, a comfortable keyboard. I adjusted to it in about three to four months.

3) Build quality of the notebook over all is extremely high. I would say excellent. I have had no issues with the exterior surface, edges, corners, or sides whatsoever. Fit and finish are both extremely well done. Simple, solid, and very durable. This laptop has traveled with me extensively over the past year and has held up extremely well. The lid still opens, closes, and stays put as adjusted. I have had absolutely ZERO issues with the laptop build quality, which has set the expectation bar very high for the new one I am purchasing.

All in all, I have been extremely pleased with this model and very much look forward to this new one even more.

I hope that answers your questions.

[Solannis]

Two additional notes:

1) To this day, I still have the clear plastic sticker on the top lid of the laptop protecting it (Yes, one year later). The corner is starting to peel off a bit, but it is still in place and protecting the lid. Yeah, it looks a little (or a lot, depending on your opinion) nerdy/dorky, but I can honestly say that the top of the laptop looks like new because it practically is.

2) To this day, I still use the keyboard/LCD "sponge" (That's what they call it -- it isn't a sponge, just a linen-esque sheet) that shipped with the laptop which sits between the keyboard and the LCD when the lid is closed. This has completely prevented any keyboard key edge impression wear on the matte LCD glass. Clean it when needed and it looks good as new.

[Fingersniffer]

Two additional notes:

1) To this day, I still have the clear plastic sticker on the top lid of the laptop protecting it (Yes, one year later). The corner is starting to peel off a bit, but it is still in place and protecting the lid. Yeah, it looks a little (or a lot, depending on your opinion) nerdy/dorky, but I can honestly say that the top of the laptop looks like new because it practically is.

2) To this day, I still use the keyboard/LCD "sponge" (That's what they call it -- it isn't a sponge, just a linen-esque sheet) that shipped with the laptop which sits between the keyboard and the LCD when the lid is closed. This has completely prevented any keyboard key edge impression wear on the matte LCD glass. Clean it when needed and it looks good as new.

You couch cushions still have the plastic wrapping on it don't they?

[Solannis]

You couch cushions still have the plastic wrapping on it don't they?No, but my computing equipment is always extremely well taken care of, thanks for asking. :biggrin: