Looking to buy new laptop - Questions about MSI laptops

Hi folks, new member here. I originally posted this in 980M member lounge last night and realized I probably should have more appropriately made a new thread.

I am in the market for a powerful 17.3" laptop. Mostly for gaming for nights when I am on the road and in a hotel for work (it'll keep me out of the bar LOL). My existing inherited 5 year old AMD powered e-machine is pretty much useless for anything other than web browsing.

I am 99% settled on a GT72 but I am just trying to hash out the differences with models and the like.

I am leaning towards a 980M unit, the GT72 2QE-1819US. I think this is pretty much similar to the unit in the review on this website.

Specs:

MSI GT72 Dominator Pro
i7 5700HQ
24GB RAM
256G SSD
1TB
17.3in FHD IPS G-SYNC
GTX980M 4G
Bluray
Win10 Notebook

However, I am also not ruling out the possibility of a 970M unit, likely a GT72 2QD-1442US

MSI GT72 Dominator
i7 5700HQ
8GB
1TB
17.3in FHD G-SYNC
GTX970M 3GB
DVDRW
Win8.1 Notebook

I do have a couple questions that I hope you folks can help me with.

1. Is there a resource that actually gives the detailed specs on the various models? I cannot find the specs from MSI and need to trust the vendors description only which I'm a little uncomfortable doing.
   
2. Is the 970M unit above an IPS display? The description says but the post on page 232 of this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachments/capture-png.126831/ makes me thing it might, since it's a Dominator with G-Sych. Thoughts?
3. How is MSI with installing new drives? If I go with the 970M over the 980M, I presume I can just drop a 2.5" SSD in it no problem? It appears it only comes with a 1TB HDD so I might want to move the OS to an SSD. Probably throw in 8GB more of RAM too.
   
4. Any downsides to getting a Win10 out of the box unit vs an 8.1 and upgrading?

There is a $600 price difference between the two. I am not so sure the 980M is worth it enough for me an my gaming, but with the extra RAM, Bluray and SSD (and IPS?) it's making me think twice. I don't think Skylake has much to offer for me that 5th Gen does which would make me want to wait a few more weeks.. other than maybe a price drop on the earlier models?

Thanks, appreciate the assistance!

 

Try taking something like this: http://www.xoticpc.com/msi-gt72-dominator-pro-g1438-p-8290.html and customizing it how you want it. Both of those aren't exactly optimal configurations. I don't know why on earth you would need a 970m with 24gigs of ram when your also looking at a 980m with 8. The 980m is a lot better for gaming than the 970m, and 8-16gigs of ram is plenty. Then you can configure one with like a 980m 16gigs of ram and a 128 ssd to get a more optimal config.

 

If you are in the US, the US website indicates specs for each particular SKU.
When you go to specification like the link below, you will see three (3) models.
http://us.msi.com/product/nb/GT72-Dominator-Pro-G-GTX-980M.html#hero-specification
GT72 Dominator Pro G-1666, 1438, 1423.

You can see the differences when you compare them manually (MSI, please add compare them function for ease of use).

Any model can have IPS or PLS panel, and it's specified to show its premium level, sometimes it is not shown because MSI may mix TN panel so that particular SKU isn't aggressively advertised to have IPS/PLS panel.

 

Thanks for the links and replies. I'm actually up in Canada and the .ca website pretty lame.

I am still having a hard time figuring out if that 970M GT72 2QD-1442US unit has an IPS or not. I simply don't want it if it doesn't have an IPS, but since it doesn't explicity say I'm concerned it doesn't.

However, that earlier post in the 980M lounge thread makes me think it actually will since it's a dominator with G-Sync. That's really the biggest stumbling block I have right now and it's a deal breaker if it doesn't.

If that's the case, I'll probably just wait a few weeks until the Skylake units start coming out. I suspect it'll cost me a bit more to go with one of them, and their added features are not really a big deal for me (I'll probably just throw in a single SSD and maybe a stick of RAM) so I'm really not sure what to do at this point.

 

This one uses IPS-like panel called PLS.
17“ Full HD (1920X1080) , Anti-glare LCD in LED backlight, eDP Wide View Angle; G-SYNC ready.

Please also refer to wiki.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPS_panel

 

Thanks very much!
Searching for the differences, they seem pretty comparable to IPS.

Last question, even though the 1442 does not come with an SSD it will still have the 4xM.2 ports so I can just buy an SATA M.2 drive and install it right? Nothing else is needed?

I am leaning towards buying one of these as I don't think the 980M will do much for me and what I plan on doing especially for the premium.

 

as review revealed, most of GT72 takes Toshiba SSD, trying similar chip SSD module will better for you

 

Thanks folks, ordered the 1442 and I should have it tomorrow. I understand they are already discontinued for the Skylake models but I got a pretty good deal on it (for Canada at least!) so I'm anxiously awaiting it. Nights in a hotel when I am on the road shouldn't be so boring anymore.

 

Welcome to the community! Hopefully the new purchase treats you well.

 

Welcome and enjoy your GT72 1442.
If you have questions, feel free to post them here on the forum.

 

So another stupid question, just got the laptop and getting everything figured out.

I want to install the newest video drivers (reference) but also noticed there are some audio and other drivers on the MSI website for it.

Should I uninstall the old drivers and stuff first before I install the new versions? Or am I OK just installing them over top the old one?

 

Most applications include built in capability to uninstall older versions and then install the newer versions. I would recommend only installing newer versions if they fix something that is bothering you. Otherwise you should be fine with the current working versions of various software.

Be aware that while most of the newer software tends to fix stuff or patch vulnerabilities, sometimes newer updates might have issues, so always have a backup of your working driver software in case you need to go back

 

Thanks. Just using the backup utility right now to install everything in the ssd so I will have that worst case scenario. Looking forward to using the system!