Is it feasible to personalize/customize a MSI GS Stealth laptop?

Hey!

Sorry if this isn't the right place.

I've been shopping around for 'thin-and-light' (kind of subjective, I know) laptops with either a 1050 Ti or a 1060 that I could take traveling with me later this year. I'll also end up using it for work, so aside from my own aesthetic preferences, I don't want to be sporting a G4M3R L4PT0P when I'm doing stuff at a customer's office or a trade show.

I know there are probably better value options, but I feel like the MSI GS Stealth has the best combination of aesthetics, I/O, and a GPU I'd be happy with on the go. If it was feasible, I'd really like to customize the laptop more and make it a bit more professional/less gamer-y red-and-black.

• The main thing that bugs me is the font on the keyboard... is it possible to replace the keycaps? (I know they're not Cherry/whatever, but it still makes sense that they'd use a more or less a universal switch mechanism.)
• I know there are laptop/device skinning companies, but can anything be done about the red trim around the chassis?
• The MSI badge on the monitor's back panel is tasteful, but I'd rather if it wasn't there. Is that something that could be removed? I doubt it's just glued on there...
• I'm already getting into soldering for another project, but I'm sure this one is a stretch: is it feasible to replace the red LED indicator lights on the front of the laptop? (I mean, I might can just disable them in the BIOS, but still.)

And finally, a question about upgrading... Is it possible to install a touchscreen panel on a laptop that isn't originally touchscreen? There doesn't seem to be a 1920*1080 touchscreen option. How much does a 120Hz monitor drain a battery vs a ~60Hz monitor? Also, is it possible to replace the laptop's battery with a larger-capacity or somehow more efficient one?

Thanks!

 

xotic pc can do most of it I think

 

I went through their configure page for the MSI GS63VR STEALTH PRO-230 and didn't see any options for any of the things I mentioned. Are those things I put in the "Comments/Special Requests" section and hope for the best?

 

@pat@XOTICPC

 

I think you should look at HIDEvolution's barebones GS63VR.

Seems much simpler. Red trim and badge is already gone.

http://www.hidevolution.com/evoc-16s-1060-gs63vr-custom-built-gaming-laptop-pc.html

@Donald@HIDevolution would be able to answer specifics about it. Font on the keyboard sounds like one of the harder ones to me, idk how compatible it is with other keyboards.

 

Thanks to both of you for shouting out to people in the know!

That barebones GS63VR looks really interesting, thanks for that suggestion Galm.

 

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but doesn't the barebones GS63 have the same panel as the Best Buy -001 model?

 

Not sure, can you link me to it?

The HID one is IPS, is the Best Buy one? I can't seem to quickly find the model.

 

If that's true, that's a pretty good catch. Do you happen to know if the Best Buy display uses the same pin array(? connector?) as the 'standard' (MSI?) 1080p panel? Or is it similar to the 4K panel? I think between the normal 1080p MSI panel it's a 30-pin connector and the 4K has a 40-pin connector, according to what I heard from people on reddit.

Out of all the panel options I have, I'll probably look to upgrade if it's at all possible. And, for the few people who have said it's not possible, it seems to be doable for most laptops. If I can upgrade the panel and the Evoc comes with a lame panel, it's not too big of a loss as I still like how the Evoc looks a lot more.

 

Very doable i did it twice

 

Do you mind sharing which model of the GS63VR you have and which panels you've used?

 

Sorry I haven't replied. I'll do some digging to see if I can find the panel information about the Best Buy -001 model. I do know the panel used on the EVOC when I emailed HIDevolution for the model information:

The panel is the LG LP156WF6. It is excellent!

-Donald

I read a review or a forum thread (maybe here) and I'm almost certain that the Best Buy model used the same panel, but I'm not 100% certain.
That's all I have for now, I'll try and look around.

 

I have the 001 and there is somethingyou should know the LP156WF6 has different versions....the one on the 001 is crap...the one you want is the SPB1 Variant which is brighter than the BB one, it is also the better IPS panel. I have one of those panels as a spare lying around.they will run you around 60-70 dollars. Another option is the Samsung PLS panel which is great also....and the AOU VA panels are also good...depends on what you can get at what price. either will be much better than stock and you can get them in the 50 to 70 dollar range.

 

I have the barebone from HIDevolution waiting for me when I get home to sweden (4 weeks to go).
I did ask about the display aswell and was told "The screen is sweet, and can be overclocked to at least 75Hz...not that you would need to. I would recommend getting our hardware calibration, it really does make a nice difference."
So I strongly disbelieve its the best buy version!

 

If it's a nice panel, then I may as well just pick one up myself. Thanks for the clarification.