MSI MS-1651 Montevina BTO Notebook Barebone

GX620 (MS-1651) 15.4" Model / GX720 (MS-1722) 17" Model

MS-1651 Series
Barebone #1 - WXGA (silver black plastic) only:
http://www.msicomputer.com/NB/product_spec.asp?model=MS-1651-ID1

Barebone #2 - WXGA and WSGXA+ (black brushed alum with silver trim):
http://www.msicomputer.com/NB/product_spec.asp?model=MS-1651-ID2

Barebone #3 - WXGA (black brushed alum with red trim, GX620 look):
http://www.msicomputer.com/NB/product_spec.asp?model=MS-1651-ID3
~ Best eye candy here!!

MS-1722 Series
Standard 1722
http://www.msicomputer.com/NB/product_spec.asp?model=MS-1722-ID1

and the sexiest looking of them all - the 1722 ID2 (GX720)
http://www.msicomputer.com/NB/product_spec.asp?model=MS-1722-ID2

 

Link doesn't work....have anything else?

 

Click it, don't copy & paste, link still works.

 

no wsxga? I'm disappointed...

 

I've been looking at this laptop since the first specs were released a month or so ago. After looking at some of its competition in terms of size and performance, particularly the Clevo M860TU and the Compal JHL90, I decided on this one. It has nearly identical specs with the Compal, but looks nicer and weighs about a pound less. The Clevo seems to be on the mind of the majority of the avid users of this site, but preliminary pricing seems to be just out of my range ($2000 would be a bit of a stretch).

My dilemma is that MSI's Whitebooks seem to be either unknown or problematic, as I can't seem to find many retailers with many MSI models in stock (RKComputers seems to have the best selection) and, while the Clevo 15.4" Montevina has the entire forum buzzing, this one only has the one thread.

I guess my question is can this laptop be expected to perform as well as the Clevo, or even the Compal, and will it be available on the 15th like the others?


Tyler

Clevo M860TU: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=226128
Compal JHL90(Labeled P-Book 15c27+): http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=270703

 

the Compal's 9600gt is only ddr2, i think the MSI might have gddr3 but if i'm wrong then both laptops would be equal in performance except for the looks. The new Clevo has options for an 8800gtx and ddr3 RAM, it is a high end computer in a different class than the MSI or Compal

 

You're right that the Clevo has the option of an 8800GTX, but I'm fairly sure that it also has the option of the same 9600GT. So I guess it has the capability to be above the rest, but it can have very similar specs. Again, price is a little of a problem for me. I can't see the Clevo being under $2000 with an 8800, but we'll see.

 

nope the clevo is ~$2,300, less with special promotions though. for mid range gaming a 9600gt/9700gt will be fine though for half the price

 

Do you mean a clevo for half the price with a 9600GT/9700GT or this laptop with a 9600GT?

 

the clevo does not have an option for the 9600gt, so far the only laptop i have found that is released with the 9600gt is the compal jhl90.

 

It looks that way, hopefully we'll know more about the MS-1651 soon. Maybe a solid release date. I've heard 3 different things. One Australian site has the GX620 (MSI's prebuilt MS-1651) in stock on the 27th of July, but some American resellers have told me August. If anybody has any solid info it would be helpful.

 

MSI posted new photos of the MS-1651. Looks completely different than the original photos. Not sure how I feel about the new look. Maybe the Puma version will keep the original look.

 

Well, the new PowerPro P 15:3 has now been released for pre-order, with shipping to begin in early August.

Some of its best features...
eSATA and HDMI Ports
6.2 lb.(incl. 6-cell battery)
Custom Colors[/URL] and/or Your Custom Graphics
Synaptics Programmable TouchPad w/Hotkey Lock-out
4 Multi-Function Audio Ports Support 7.1 Surround Sound
WXGA or WSXGA+ with nVIDIA GeForce 9600M w/512MB GDDR3
xD, MemoryStick/MemoryStick Pro, and Secure Digital (SD/MMC) memory card reader

 

Wow, all of available colours (aside from black) are quite retina searing....but other than that, the basic design seems to be pretty similar to the GX600 from before, though some of the details are a bit different.

 

I agree the colors will keep you awake...I had a hard time choosing which colors we would make standard...and of course anyone can provide their own custom graphics.

The great thing is the custom colors will not delay shipping times and they and the custom graphics are OEM warranted...no 3rd party painter to deal with, and no "you voided your warranty by painting" hassles.

 

I actually like the blue for some reason. And of course black. Does the black have a glossy look?

 

Is black a painted on color, or are the other colors painted over black?

EDIT: And are you going to offer the 9-cell battery?

 

All of the colors are a glossy painted finish.

The 9 cell spare battery will be offered shortly. However since the 6 cell battery is standard it cannot be "upgraded" to a 9 cell.

 

Wow, just going from ddr2-gddr3 really made those prices sky rocket

 

Well...er...what about the other features and custom colors the other models simply don't have?

Now, please take a look around, put a value on custom paint alone and reassess the value, not to mention the eSATA port, Synaptics Touchpad with lock-out, 4 Audio Ports supporting 7.1 surround sound, xD memory card, 3 Year Parts and Labor warranty with Next Business Day shipping paid both ways, and Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Toll Free Customer Service etc.

It is a little hard to compare two models with very different features, plus custom paint and expect them to be similarly priced. Actually, when you put a fair value on each item you will see that the PowerPro P 15:3 is really the better value.

 

How is the 15:13 painted when you receive it? On MSI's site, the MS-1651 is silver and black.

 

That is the way we receive it...silver and matte black.

Please also don't forget...well, actually I forgot to mention it in my original post...it comes with the Standard PowerPro 3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty with Next Business Day Air shipping paid both ways, and Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Toll Free Customer Service as well as custom paint.

 

I would consider buying it if it was ~$100 cheaper, i have no need for a custom paint job and i can't justify paying over $200 more than the sager 2092 just for a few minor features. Guess my hunt for a laptop will continue

 

Are all MSIs this shiny? I mean, I know they aren't, but my GX600 is like BRIGHT, least subtle thing I own. Only thing that could make it stand out more is to paint it bright fire engine red....which is the colour of the new one.

Looks like a pretty well equipped and unique notebook though, in keeping with the previous models. The reasons to pay for this over a 2092, I mean, its got a numberpad, and is really chock full of stuff - eSATA, HDMI, and such that many other notebooks don't have, plus it looks significantly better than the Sager as well.

 

I know some people would love a custom paint job, but I think I prefer the standard silver and black. Could that be an option at some point? I think I'd be more inclined to consider it if custom paint was an option rather than standard. I'm not at all saying that I don't trust you to do a quality job, it's that I'm not a fan of case mods which includes paint. I do appreciate the 3 year warranty and I'm a huge fan of the GDDR3 9600M GT, but its only a couple hundred more to get the NP8660 with a 9800M GTS.

 

Yeah I like this new package. Not a huge fan of the forced paintjob (if only because of the price hike in base). Still the front runner for my new laptop but we'll see how things progress from here.

 

Apparently you are still comparing Sager's 1 year warranty with 3 business day shipping paid both ways to the PowerPro's 3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty with Next Business Day shipping paid both ways.

Once you add $289.00 for the Sager 3 year warranty (that still only offers 3 day shipping) the difference is more like $400 if you keep the ATi 3870 video card, or over $500 more if you upgrade to the 9800M GTS...but of course you also get DDR3/1066MB memory as well.

So, when making your comparison it boils down to more like a $500 plus difference for the 9600M GT vs. the 9800M GTS and the different memory, but still with no custom paint or graphics.

Value is always in the eye of the beholder, and we all make our choices for different reasons...I just suggest these things so that the comparison is properly equalized, and the true differences are isolated so you can decide whether you are willing to pay more or less and for what features and warranties.

We sell them both so you can rest assured that we will be happy to serve you regardless of which one you select as suiting your needs best.

 

I understand the differences in warranty, but attempting to get the lowest price for the specs I left the Sager at standard 1 year plus 2 and 3.

I've decided I need battery life over graphics power. It comes down to this and the Compal JHL90, if I can find it with GDDR3. Do you have any information on that, and when do you think the 9-cell will be available for the 15:13?

Thanks

 

The best battery life will come from the PowerPro P 12:15 or Sager NP2096 (both built on the Compal JHL90 with 9 cell batteries standard), but this model does not have GDDR3, and probably won't ever have it...that decision has already been made by Compal.

The 9 cell batteries should be available for the PowerPro P 15:3 by the time we start shipping in early August, or very shortly thereafter. You will see that they are already on the Specifications page.

 

Since there has been no comment on it i assume that there will not be an option for standard colors that have been shipped from MSI without special paint jobs?

 

The 15:13 seems to be my best option, but since it doesn't ship till the first week of August, I guess I'll take my time making a final decision. Thank you for your input, and I hope to talk with you soon to make an order.

Tyler

 

Do you know how much of an improvement the GDDR3 makes in the 9600gt in real applications or in 3dmark06? Also, whats the new student discount i keep seeing on your site!?

 

So there wont be any more 15" models with a 9600gt gddr3 besides the one MSI?

 

although not exactly the same, there is the asus g50 that is coming out with a 9700m gt which has mandatory ddr3 ram!

 

Yeah but doesnt the 9700 use twice as much power as the 9600? Its current consumption is twice as high. Unless Im misinterpreting that measure. 2 hours is already pushing it for battery life and ASUS is not exactly known for their battery life or cool systems.

 

The 9700M GT uses 45watt, but gets about 1.5K(3dMark06) better than the GDDR2 8600M GT(looks like the GDDR3 version gets about 500 better than the GDDR2). Battery life might be a reason to wait for a review from an owner.

 

When comparing the PowerPro P 15:3 to the Sager NP8660 a good thing to know is that the DDR3/1066 is CL7.

So, since we offer the Kingston HyperX CL4 DDR2/800 in the PowerPro P 15:3, and the Sager NP8660 is CL7 DDR3/1066 it will be interesting to see how much difference there really is between the performance of the memory.

 

Does anyone here have the specifications of the upcoming MSI GX630?
Any resellers worth mentioning?
Thanks.

 

http://www.msicomputer.com/NB/product_spec.asp?model=MS-1652
These are the specs for the MS-1652 which is the barebones GX630. I haven't found any complete systems aside from an Australian vendor. They claim a 2.1Ghz Turion X2 Ultra, 4Gig Ram, 320GB HDD, Home Premium for something like $1300. That might be Australian currency though.

EDIT: $1300 AUD is just over $1300 USD (exchange rate is currently .97)

 

MSI has a much more detailed description page for the GX630 at http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=utility&maincat_no=135&prod_no=1513 . They also have downloads for Bios, modem, and a system control utility, that insinuates to me that the model is available for purchase, but I haven't been able to find a reseller.

 

as long as there are no mandatory custom paint jobs i'm open to that one lol

 

If you look earlier in this thread, you will see powernotebooks is carrying it, though it will not be available for another week or so...it's rebadged as the 15:3

 

No, the 15:3 is the MS-1651. You'll notice that it is a Centrino 2 notebook rather than Puma, and I've never seen a GX series notebook renamed and sold. It is usually the barebones version customized and rebranded.

 

So will the MS-1651 ever be available as is? I also do not care for or need a custom paint job or some of the extra features (like the upgraded audio). I would buy this laptop in a heart beat if I could just find it for just a bit cheaper.

 

Yes it will be available as a barebone model, and OEM color, the eta is sometime in mid August.

 

You are correct...I didn't read your post closely enough. I also took a quick look around and could not find that one....did you contact MSI and ask for a list of resellers?

 

You guys are starting to get to me...

How about if everyone that wants it without paint sends me a quick email (just click on my address in my signature) that you would buy it if we could reduce the price by at least $200 based on no Custom Color?

I can't promise anything...but I am listening and may well be persuaded.

 

Ok, it never hurts to ask...right?

Well the number of emails I received was too persuasive to say no

 

i think what you did on the custom paint was a nice try though!
i think for most people or at least me personally, the lid is probably the only area I think would look nice with custom paint, but not the entire chassis. thats just me at least

 

Just a quick question, are the MSI's built with an MSI logo or a power/force one?