Help to Decide Between 1651 and GT627-127CA

I have pretty much decided that I'm going to buy an MSI laptop since they have all I need for a good price. My only problem now is deciding between the slightly older 1651, specifically the FORCE3551 from Xotic, or the Canadian version of the GT627.

The main reasons I would prefer to get the 1651 over the 627 are:
- The 1651 comes with silver trim instead of red trim (not that big a deal)
- Also the multimedia buttons (in my opinion) look nicer on the 1651 than on the 627
- 1651 comes with an option to get a mate screen
- 1651 comes with included 3 year warranty

On the other hand the 627:
- Has a better video card
- Has included 9 cell battery

Prices for the two would be about the same with the 627 model being slightly more expensive I think.

Just wanted to know what people here thought, and if you guys have other pros or cons for each laptop.

 

If you are a serious gamer, take the GT627
Because 1651 will not be great on some games
Other than games, 1651 is Great laptop; especially with the Matte screen 1680X1050 WSXGA+
Both Laptops have bad speakers, Bad Microphone, flex keyboard.
Good speaker’s comes only with the 17 inch MSI’s , but they are heavier than the 15.4 inch

 

Hmm how bad is the microphone exactly? Its the first I'm hearing about this...
Keyboard can be fixed and I'll probably be using headphones (which I heard work well on these laptops)

 

mic will be the same on both imo

 

You need to set the Internal Microphone Boost to +20dB to make it acceptable, noisy though!
Or you can use External Headphone With Mic ,
Keyboard Flex Can Be Solved by Double Sided Tapes Method.

 

the 1651 comes with the red trim too, ID3 I think, but it has the lower res.
screen. If price is not your concern, go with the 627.

 

Well that is not that big of a problem, I'm sure I can get my blutooth headset to work as my mic.

Hmm does anyone know of any possibility of the 627 coming in silver trim?

And how is the mate screen on the 1651? Good for movie watching and things?
I hear that the 627 screen is very nice.

 

Yeah but I like the silver trim...

 

I don't think I have seen the 627 with a silver trim... hmmm...
I personally like matte screen better than the shiny, especially when outside.
There is already a thread about the 1651 screens:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4190473
hope that helps =D

 

One more thing
when you are playing games with a mouse, the heat sink will blow the hot air direct into your right hand because it is placed on the right. They should’ve make it blow to the back not to the right

check the attachment photo

Unless you are left-handed like the laptop designer i think

The Matte Screen WSXGA+ is Great for both Movies and Games.

 

Hmm I noticed that being mentioned by other people as well... I didn't think it would be much a problem since I like holding my mouse a bit behind the keyboard, so my hand won't be right to the side of the laptop.
Thanks for the warning though.

And thanks for your post dfirst

 

So any more suggestions on this topic?

 

What are you using this for? If's it's for school and you don't plan on playing current tech games, then the MSI MS-1651 is the better deal, you can get a 9 cell battery for the MSI MS-1651, most of the "problems" are quick fixes and while surfing the internet (with a 9 cell) with bluetooth off and web cam off I get near 4:30 hrs life.

If you are a gamer that needs to play the latest and greatest go with the 627, but beware the stronger the video card the more power it will eat up, so if surfing the web with long battery life is what you are looking for the 627 wouldn't be better in this respect because both models can't switch to integrated chip sets for display to conserve energy so the lower the card the more likely the less power it will use.

Looking wise, i like both, I own a MSI MS-1651 but have used a 627 as well, both are very nice, then again I guess it comes down to what your personal prefs are.

I you like to tinker with parts to make things the way you want them go with a MSI MS-1651.

It's less money
Can use a 9 cell battery
Consumes less power (I'm assuming this because of the higher end vid card)
Has a Matte screen (you can get a glare screen as well, I prefer them over matte, i like having vibrant colours).

Has other "unique" features, (not sure if they are intended to be there or not).