MSI GS30 Revealed

Looks to me in the photos (no direct information for me on this) like a 8x or 16x PCI-E direct connection which is the best way to do it.

I think for the likes of the new cards coming out TB is simply not enough. I'd love to see an SLI dock

 

Given the size of the docking port connector, too big to be USB, TB, or other, would have to be PCI.

 

Ugh, what a missed opportunity! The actual laptop looks great, but that docking station is terrible. This would have been perfect with a EPCIE x16 (or even x8!) port on the laptop, a separate mini-itx form factor main-board with an EPCIE port, a x16 PCIE slot, and standard power connectors. Maybe throw in a usb switch and ethernet on the board too since there should be plenty of space. That would be cheap to build, and customers could use whatever case they want. x8 PCIE ipass cables are in abundance, and x16 cables are around and wouldn't be too insanely expensive at 0.5m (maybe $100).

I bet they could make very comfortable margins selling the mainboard and cable for $200. Users could then use whatever case and power supply they want. Or they could optionally sell the whole package with a decent case and power supply for $300-400.

 

There are plenty of USB ports and ethernet port on the docking station

MSI rep said that they are planning on selling bundles or bare kits.

 

This is supposed to be a mid range between building a desktop and using a laptop, so for now they will most likely offer the package itself. Once the notebook is out and more bare kits are out, we can see if it evolves into something more popular.

I would definitely enjoy seeing an extreme edition CPU on that GS 30 to make it worthwhile.

 

Shame it can't be a socketed CPU, but I guess iris graphics help it a bit on the go.

 

As long as it's the full fledged I7 Iris Pro and not the ULV one, that will do... as hyped as I am for this, the ULV I7 would be a bit of a downer.

 

I was under the impression that it was proprietary, but if it's actually EPCIE, then I'm totally cool with it. That will make it far more future proof and open the door to some really nice custom solutions.

Update: Just looked at the picture in post #25. That doesn't look like EPCIE, unless it's maybe multiple connectors. For reference, this is what a x16 PCIE ipass cable looks like:

http://www.onestopsystems.com/enl_x16_cbl.php

 

Anyone knows if there is a button on the dock to turn on the laptop without opening the lid? That would be a nice thing if we have to use external monitors

 

The machine should be able to power all displays you have plugged in. Internal + HDMI + those connected onto the dock.

Also I would like to note the cooling on the base unit, 2 directions like the GT60, side and back.

 

That should be more than enough considering that it's just the Intel chip.

 

I'm intrigued by this... I think the dock pic threw me off initially looking way too big, but in retrospect its a small 13" notebook so dock isn't as big as it first appeared to me.

Will definitely be watching this!

 

Video showing this laptop + dock in action:

MSI GS30 Shadow Gaming Notebook and Dock: Hands on Video - Mobile Geeks

 

Good to see it in video. Technical errors notwithstanding (14k display, psi slots?), some interesting tidbits:

1) ~$1000+ for laptop, ~$200 for dock. (unconfirmed)
2) Looks like a lever used to lock the laptop into the dock - I like this, as I've accidentally bumped my laptop off my dock a few times
3) LEDs along the front edge of the laptop...hopefully you can turn those off

Would like confirmation on whether you can use the laptop screen while docked. Also, would love to see pictures inside the dock.

 

@Mikoyan, good find and good to see confirmation on a lot of the stuff mentioned in the thread (lame that they only showed 5 seconds of gameplay which involved looking slightly to the left :/)

@psyang, in the OverclockersUK thread (and as mentioned previously in this thread) the MSI rep said that once the laptop is in the docking station you have to use a keyboard, mouse, and external monitor. Basically the once the laptop is docked, a lot of the laptop functions are disabled and switched over to the desktop operations.

One new thing shown which I had wondered but figured the internal PSU would be powering the laptop while docked, so no need to have a PSU for the GamingDock and then another PSU for the laptop... no Sega Genesis life support support system here.

 

This thing would be good if it wasn't for one thing - powerful MITX machines have become pretty commonplace, which is a perfect comparison considering you would use an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones/speaker and so on at home anyway.

I was interested in this kind of thing about 5 years ago, but unfortunately this is too little too late for me - the only benefit of this kind of hybrid is that you have one machine overall, which is a convenience. Otherwise if you cope with two separate machines you can build an extremely powerful MITX desktop and then choose any ultraportable laptop you want.

The only other possible benefit is if the price is low enough to make it attractive compared to a separate mitx desktop and ultraportable solution, or a portable gaming laptop. They will have to be very careful with pricing this thing.

 

The big difference here between a mITX machine and this laptop/gaming dock is that with a mITX machine you can't pick up your setup get mobile. The entire idea behind this device is that the gaming dock/desktop mode is stationary in one location that has all your peripherals hooked up to it. Then if you need move to another room, or go somewhere where the desktop components (GPU and storage HD) are not needed, you have the laptop.

If I had to pick a market that this device is aimed towards it's people like me who have to have a desktop and a laptop and is combining it so you only have "1 device" rather than 2. I think a lot of folks who aren't quite sure about this are either desktop only and no laptop or laptop only and no desktop.

 

If only it had a slightly bigger screen, say 15.6" or so and I would be on board. After switching to the 17.3" Stealth I can't really go back.

 

A bit more on the subject

MSI demonstrates their GS30 2-in-1 desktop gaming PC/laptop | PC Gamer

 

Good find TBoneSan. Kinda hope that the laptop can be docked while in Sleep Mode. Minor annoyance if you have to power down each time you want to dock/undock, not as seamless as say USB, but understandable since it's using a full PCI-E 3.0 connection!

Really hope that the CPU is one of the items that gets swapped for from Haswell i7 to Broadwell i7 towards the end of the year. I see why it's listed with the Haswell since it is a demo unit and isn't Broadwell still under NDA?

 

As you said, it's purely for the conveniece of 1 machine compared to 2 machines.

If you don't mind having 2 machines, then there's not much difference between this and a separate ultraportable laptop plus gaming mitx desktop - providing the price is comparable.

If you want to have the gpu power anywhere you go, then you're better off with a single gaming ultrabook or similar. I'm in this boat.


I like that MSI have designed this - just personally I would have been more interested before matx and now mitx desktops have become so easily available.

 

It is more a convenience thing I guess but with two systems you only get the impact of upgrades on one device where as say a larger ssd in this gives you it on "both"

 

There will only need to be 3-4 possible upgrades on this setup.

1. GPU
2. m.2 SSD (strong feeling that this will come with 128GB base, maybe 256GB in RAID to bump the price)
3. Storage Drive
4. OS (Win-9 is right around the corner... and lets face it, folks want to have a non Win 8 system.)
5. RAM (if you only get it configured with 8GB, if 16GB at build then scratch this off the list)

 

Wireless card too potentially. But the big difference will come from the gpu in the docking station. I hope it could support the likes of a dual gpu card. Even if that required a psu upgrade.

 

I think the PC Gamer article said accommodates dual slot GPUs that fit in the 450W PSU category. But yeah, kinda need to get an inside look at the guts of the docking station cause so far from what I've heard they've got space for a PSU, dual slot GPU (single pci-e 3 port), sata storage drive (no word if 3.5 or 2.5 size), a speaker, then the network ethernet, and usb hubs. Now that I think about it, they probably need a vent fan on that thing, which could be that section on the right hand side or on the back. Maybe the PSU can be upraded as well as long as its not buried like it is in the MSI Nightblade.

 

I agree. I don't think this will be anywhere more price efficient than having 2 machines. you essentially need to get almost everything you need to get for a desktop in the end.

if you can't really carry around the gpu power with you, then what's the difference between this and having 2 machines at all? keep in mind this also has 2 parts

 

A proper high quality ultrabook with high quality display plus desktop is going to cost more.

 

Is the dock compatible with pro gpus (quadro ecc.) ?
It would be awesome to have good performance in solidworks and similar softwares. Also I bet the price would be lower than a full workstation laptop with comparable gpu power

 

the point is do people need a high quality ultrabook when they have a gaming rig already. for most people a tablet with a type cover will do the job already

 

For work I would imagine, tablets are great content consumption devices but they suck for creation.

I would imagine the docks would support quadros, I don't see why not.

 

I can't wait to get my hands on one - I really want to step down in size while keeping the power I am used to - even if that means no more 780M The dock looks interesting and I am really eager to see how that pans out

 

i just want the gpu docking station...when is it coming? silverstone showed in last 2 yrs but never released it

 

The docking station by itself is no use.

 

well it uses thunderbolt right so any laptop with a decent 4810mq can use the docking station well

 

No it doesn't

 

No it uses a custom pci express 16x (plus some) connector for maximum bandwidth.

 

As stated in several posts ago and on the UK OverClockers thread, the MSI Rep said that this docking station will only work with the GS30 at this time... there are no plans for this to work with any other laptop.

Going into this you got to know it is a gamble if this sells enough to warrant future releases of MSI laptops with the PCI connector, or if this is a one-time deal and the GS30 will be the only machine that can use the docking station.

 

I would buy a first edition machine as such. Of course you will be able to upgrade the GPU as time goes forward.

 

I really love the idea behind this. If it sells well there's huge opportunity for there to be a series of these with just one docking station. I hope the 4 cell battery is up to snuff in the end. Hate for it to fail because it needs the dock 90% of the time.

 

I hope that the laptop can still make use of it's USB inputs on the laptop itself. I think 4 USB inputs on the dock is some what limiting (1 mouse, 1 keyboard, 1 headset, 1 game pad). Looks like some peripheral juggling if you wan'na plug in anything once you hit the 4 slot cap on the dock, such as an external thumb drive or external hard drive. Otherwise looks like will need to daisy chain with a USB hub. :/

 

I'm so divided on this idea. I love the concept - standalone the computer is perfect for day to day portable computer needs (web browsing, note taking etc.), however when you're somewhere you can settle down, out comes the upgrade box. I love the idea to that extent.

What I'm not so sure about is the actual design of the box itself. I'm not keen on having the laptop sit on top of it - unless you're happy having the keyboard awkwardly high off the desk, wouldn't that pretty much necessitate having an external keyboard? If that's the case, it's too much for me. I use my gaming laptop to play on the couch, or at the dining table. I just can't see having an external keyboard in addition to a mouse being a very feasible setup.

If I want to sit at a standard desk at home and play games, I'd just use my desktop. If I'm on the couch, the set-up seemingly needed here is too much. If I'm out and about, I don't want to have to convert my computer into a monolith with more than a mouse attached to play games.

Great idea, but I don't think I'm the target audience.

 

How would it look like if you scaled that resolution to 1080p for gaming (so you've a better performance) and kept it for other applications native?

 

You will need a monitor as well the mouse is due course to gaming

 

Wireless devices work wonders I already use my laptop similarly to this setup, but without the external graphics of course. I use a gamepad, wireless mouse and keyboard and I set the computer near my TV and launch my games easily. Then I just move my laptop to my desk and hook up another keyboard/mouse I have there.

I got the keyboards/mouse over the years so it wasn't that big of an investment at the moment. But I get what you are saying.

It is definitely targetted to users like me

 

This looks awesome but having to get a monitor, keyboard... I'll have limited space because I will be on a ship and that docking station was a fine size. Getting a monitor or extra keyboard is not doable. Hopefully they will change the need of external peripherals when they release it.

 

If space is an issue a more regular desktop replacement may be a better option.

 

Yeah you are right. A laptop is the only option. The only time I will be available to download anything is at port. Carrying a desktop, a monitor, keyboard mouse, my extra bags to port everytime is too much. This looks great but the new maxwell cards are not going to have any problems with games.

 

I am intrigued by the idea behind this system, but...

1.) In a LAN party scenario it really doesn't do you any good. You basically have the same limitations of having a desktop rig. Heck, the desktop rig might even be more portable than trying to bring a gaming laptop, docking station with video card, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc...

2.) It really needs to be compared against the option of purchasing a separate ultrabook / desktop pc. It doesn't make sense unless it costs significantly less.

When comparing this to a split ultrabook / desktop option you should also factor in:​

a.) Desktop components are cheaper and easier to upgrade.​

b.) You can reuse / easily swap many desktop components between upgrades (power supplies, chassis, drives, RAM, etc...)​

c.) It is also nice to be able to have a true standalone system as your secondary. If you have an issue with your primary system you can use the other system in the meantime (ex: to download driver updates, troubleshooting software, delay the need to fix the machine until after you finish that project, etc...)​

The idea makes sense if you don't plan on using it as a mobile gaming platform, and it is cheaper than getting an ultrabook+desktop, but otherwise I'm having trouble seeing the value.

 

980 on the go. Let's talk MSI

 

It's for those who work on the go with a light distraction and game at home.