Unleashing the Power of the MSi GT70: A Gamer’s Dream
As an avid PC gamer who revels in the latest technological advancements, I find myself notably drawn to msi’s latest offering—the GT70 laptop. While its standout features include a robust 2.3GHz Core i7-3610QM quad-core Ivy Bridge processor and an impressive storage setup that combines a 750GB hard drive spinning at 7,200RPM with dual Samsung 64GB solid-state drives, there’s one aspect that truly captivates my attention.
The Allure of the Illuminated Keyboard
Before diving into performance metrics, let’s address what immediately grabs your focus when you first lay eyes on this machine. Yes, it’s that vibrant SteelSeries keyboard glowing beneath your fingertips—a mesmerizing sight in dimly lit environments that beckons you to engage in gameplay. This keyboard is not just visually striking; it offers complete customization with three distinct lighting zones capable of changing colors, pulsating effects, or flowing waves of light. Each keystroke produces a gratifying mechanical click—an essential feature for any serious gaming laptop enthusiast.
Enhanced Audio and User Controls
Complementing this stunning keyboard are dynaudio speakers—an MSI staple—that elevate audio quality beyond what most portable gaming laptops offer. Nestled between these speakers is a touch panel providing quick access to vital controls such as the MSI Turbo Drive Engine and Cooler boost button,wich ramps up fan speed for enhanced cooling during intense gaming sessions.
One notable advancement over previous models is the trackpad design; instead of a single-piece button configuration that was less than ideal, the GT70 features two separate buttons paired with an exceptionally responsive trackpad. While I still favor using an external mouse for precision tasks, this setup considerably enhances usability compared to other integrated options.
A Desktop Replacement?
Measuring at 16.9 by 2.2 by 11.3 inches and weighing in at approximately 8.3 pounds, the GT70 presents itself as a formidable alternative to traditional desktop setups—one that could easily push your old PC into retirement mode within your closet space! Its expansive 17.3-inch anti-glare LCD display boasts full HD resolution (1920×1080), delivering vivid colors akin to those seen on high-end standalone monitors while ensuring wide viewing angles so adjustments are minimal.
However, for any laptop aspiring to be a true desktop replacement for gamers seeking high performance levels similar to mid-range gaming rigs, raw power must be prioritized—and here lies one limitation of the GT70.
Speed Meets Innovation
The device excels in data access speeds thanks to its innovative super RAID configuration—a first among laptops—which integrates two Samsung solid-state drives alongside a standard hard disk drive resulting in potential speeds reaching up to an remarkable 900 megabytes per second (though my review unit was capped at around 600MB/s due to misconfiguration). Even so, this speed difference remains palpable compared with other systems I’ve tested previously.
Additionally equipped with Killer Gaming’s Bigfoot Gaming LAN technology allows it intelligently prioritizing game traffic over other online activities—aimed at reducing latency during competitive play—but despite these enhancements I still found myself struggling occasionally while playing Battlefield 3; perhaps skill rather than technology was my downfall!
Performance Insights
Equipped with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M graphics card featuring dedicated GDDR5 memory (3GB), I anticipated superior performance from Battlefield 3 but only achieved frame rates hovering around just below optimal levels (24-25 FPS) even on Ultra settings—with slight improvements noted after activating Turbo Drive Engine mode bringing me up marginally higher (25-26 FPS). Comparatively speaking though—it aligns closely enough with Razer Blade’s underwhelming specs which drew skepticism upon release yet still managed decent results across various titles outside demanding scenarios like Battlefield.For $1,999 based on reviewed specifications—the MSi GT70 stands out as robust computing hardware packed full of capabilities while brimming over ports readying itself seamlessly transition from desk-side companion towards replacing bulky PCs altogether! Although it may not dominate every title available today—it compensates through cutting-edge tech integration coupled alongside stellar build quality making MSi synonymous excellence within portable gaming solutions!
And yes… let’s not forget about that remarkable keyboard once more!