MSI MS-1651 Montevina BTO Notebook Barebone

They are smaller than normal. So are the period and question mark keys, and a few others.. MSI dropped the ball on that one, but other than that the keyboard seems ok.

I'm curious if the screen is as dim as the review says it is. I don't have anything to compare it to in that review, so i'm a bit wary about buying this as I will not be able to locate it in any store to see it for myself, unfortunately... this is one of MSI's downfalls

Kevin

 

If you read some of the comments from owners in this thread you will see they love the screen, and brightness is not an issue. I think maybe the reviewer didn't use the brightness control keys to bring it up to full brightness.

 

Thanks, of course given it was your PC maybe you are a little biased? j/k

I am also interested in how the screen actually .. "is." I went looking around for Matte screens around town, and I could not find a single one. Could you describe the screen? Is it ... "flexible." Can it be wiped clean?? Is it fragile?? It really sucks not being able to actually see what you want to purchase, given that almost everywhere I've looked has a 15% restocking fee. Of course I do not want to buy a PC and then return it, but at the same time if I haven't seen it... and then I don't like it... it would suck to lose $200 just to try one out.

Kevin

 

The screen is very good. I don't really miss the gloss from my previous laptops.

 

paladin44,

Is there a way to reinforce the keyboard a little more. I like the springiness to a degree, but on my particular model, around the numpad and arrow keys, it is a little bit too springy. Thanks

p.s. tell MSI to make the top media control area aluminum as well, it would make the MSI-1651 that much better.

To all,

Also, would this be good ram to put in the PowerPro P 15:3 (MSI-1651):
http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Valu...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1225903494&sr=8-2

or

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Memo...ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1225904131&sr=8-3

I wanted to upgrade from from current 2GB to 4GB (though since I have Vista 32-bit, should I only go from a 1GB upgrade? Will it cause any problems with Vista 32-bit to have 4gb of ram?)

Any other recommended ram?

And I want to possibly get a screen protector possibly, are there any recommended ones?

 

Both of your links to memory are for desktop memory. What you need is 200 pin SODIMM (not 240 pin DIMM)

Sure, you can shim the keyboard if you like. You just need to remove the keyboard and find an appropriate shimming material to put between the keyboard and the plate under it.

 

So this ram would be advisable:

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Valu...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1225940617&sr=8-10

Also, would 4gb of ram on a Vista 32 bit cause any problems?

And would shimming the keyboard void the warranty?

Thanks.

 

I did the PC-6400 Kingston Valueram DDR2-800 4GB for the one that avadirect is putting together for me...

[EDIT]
Don't see why it wouldn't be. I got the CL5 myself though.
[/EDIT]

 

I heard that putting 4gb of ram in 32-bit Vista could cause some problems, so want to check...

 

Dunno about a problem, but it may be the case like 32b XP/ win2k / etc. that Vista 32b can only see a total of 4GB, so your apparent total may be less (minus memory 512MB mapped for GPU, and a few other things, so it might only see 3.25GB of the 4).

Beyond that dunno about any other type of "problem", and I'm not even sure if the above is true for Vista as I cannot recall exactly what the verdict was when I read about memory and 32b Vista a few weeks ago. Best to do a google or forum search maybe as I think that I read the threads on this forum... but I've opted against Vista as it's not included with my purchase.

32b Linux, *BSD, etc. will all see all 4GB of the memory as they map memory differently, although I seem to recall from another thread that you mentioned no interest in *NIX based OS.

 

It doesn't cause problems, I'm running with that config right now. The fact is it's a waste, since Vista will only use 3GB of it (oddly enough it DOES "see" the full 4GB). Anyways, thats why I'm going to be switching to Vista64 soon.

 

Yeah, I thought there was a reason why I wanted 64b Vista if I even bothered with it...

Also as far as linux goes, they need to enable a kernel option at compile time for it to see the entire 4GB but AFAIK every recent pre-compiled kernel will have this option enabled at build time, and I suspect that in build it yourself distros that the option will also be set in the kernel build config for you already. I've forgotten what it's called offhand but it should be fairly obvious in the option list or easily googleable. (I haven't bothered to compile a custom kernel in years...)

 

OK, got my 1651 from AVAdirect. They did a nice job of packaging it for shipping using a slightly larger box with some extra padding then a box is how I'm sure that MSI ships the barebones, plain, then another box that just fits inside that is their pseudo-labelled notebook box that I guess they'd expect a retail store to sell it in. Just said notebook on it with some generic b&w artwork...). Better than Apple, for example, which just ship your computer/notebook in the same retail box that you get in the store which is especially bad for their notebooks now that they've cut down on the extra protective padding in their packaging. i.e. I'm pretty happy with avadirect. Best pricing for what you get minus OS, and really still best pricing if you opt for 2y warranty plus OS as their component prices come into play at that point. The only drawback was that it takes them a while to build out the order, c. 13 business day/3 full weeks in my case, but I had to have them hold shipping it for a few days too as they ship signature required.

Installed Ubuntu 8.10 on it 32bit. To see all 4GB you WILL either NEED to re-compile the kernel enabling PAE OR install the Ubuntu SERVER kernel build. Didn't do much but install a bunch of packages while on battery and got about 2.5h of runtime on the 6 cell battery Bluetooth/webcam off/WiFi on/P8600/2x2GB Kingston ValueRAM CL5/5400 320GB WD hdd/WSXGA+ screen lowest backlight setting/WiFi link 5300.

It's very nice, but as noted before the keyboard towards the left edge does exhibit a bit of flex, and my spacebar has an annoying squeak(Need to check and see if a bit of packaging or something is up in there). Feels faster already than my desktop (AMD Athlon x2 4800+/4x512MB Mushkin DDR-400/250GB WD 7200RPM 16MB cache/7600GT KO) as the Ubuntu package installs went very quickly.

Funny thing is that I also bought a new wireless router (b/g/n) and still have it in b mode and already saturate my ISP connection with only b, but that's only to be expected with an 8Mbps connection. Plan to check what I get across my 100M LAN at some point but don't feel like messing with the route config until I get the 1651 setup as I want it. Still really just experimenting ATM as I want to move the Ubuntu install to 64bit, but still need to burn a live CD and see if it'll boot plus I've yet to install XP Pro.

[EDIT]

From the notebook quick start guide:
Note: For flight safety considerations, make sure this light goes out when you are in fight.

Hmmm... I'll have to keep that in mind if I get into a fight on a flight...
[/EDIT]

 

is there anywhere in canada that sells the WXGA+ barebone in canada? i really don't want to order from the states with the current exchange rate

i've seen the fully loaded gx620 model here for under 1200us and the barebones so i'm starting to think that's my best option

also the canadian and US site both differ in the gx620 screen versions, the US says all the wsxga are glossy but the canadian models are all matte. i want to be sure i get the matte

 

Has anybody been able to locate the optical disk drive (part# 937-165141-007) for the ms-1651 lately? I just ordered the ms-1651 barebone system and all the components except for the dvd drive. Every online retailer I try to order if from tells me they are out of stock and don't know when they will get more in. I have also tried to order the blu-ray drive only to find out that it too is no longer in stock.

 

no there pretty much are none right now

 

I found a used optical drive on amazon. Rk computers (iirc) was also selling the plastic drive bezels, so you could buy any drive and get one of those.

 

Which online store has the WSXGA+ matte screen with large arrow keys? All I could find is the glossy screen.

 

We have the MATTE screens...but I am not sure what you are referring to when you say "...large arrow keys..."

 

Not the best pic, but you should be able to make out the larger shift key and the lack of a 2nd \ key.



Unrelated question: can anyone try putting in a PCI-Express SSD like the Dell Mini 9 or Asus EEE uses? I'd really prefer to dualboot internally if at all possible, and the ed thing won't boot off SD.

 

This one has the smaller arrow keys, and shift key and an extra "\" key next to the right shift key with large "0" key on the numpad.


This one has the larger arrow keys, and shift key without the extra "\" key next to the right shift key with smaller "0" key on the numpad. I'm looking for the 1651 with matte WSXGA+ with the keyboard on the bottom pic.

 

You are comparing the 17" 1722 ID2 with the 15.4" 1651...you can't have the 17" keyboard on the 15.4" model.

 

no i know what he means msi changed the keyboard paladin as im sure you know

they used to have a arrow keys and a big 0 on the number pad

but they made the 0 smaller and the arrows bigger

 

Actually that keyboard is used on the GT627 and some of the newer 1651's.

 

no hes actually comparing two 1651, the bottom picture is mine. with the newer layout.

 

My friend's 1722 has the keyboard with two \ keys.

My 1651 (built Sept 08) has the new keyboard with the larger arrow, smaller 0 keys.

 

So all of the newer built 1651 machines should have the "new" keyboard? I'm thinking of ordering soon...still haven't decided between Xotic and Powernotebooks...the prices are the same for the base build.

 

For all practical purposes they are identical in price. Personally, I'm a PNB man. I've got my first laptop nearly 5 years ago (june 04) and its still humming along beautify. Their CS/repair guys alone are worth the extra price (I could get a slightly stronger, albeit much heavier ASUS for example for cheaper) but I really do think the extras are worth it. I've heard great things from xotic too so i would jsut go with whomever you feel more comfortable with.

I think I'm finally going to bite the bullet on this model, mainly because I really want a 16x10 aspect screen on a 15". My current lappy is 4:3 at 1400x1050 and anything lower than 1050 would feel like a downgrade. Just a few nagging questions though.

1. I'm assuming the flex issues are the same with the new keyboard. Curious if an average (not heavy typer) would really be bothered by the flex. Is there anyway to get a model with relatively less flex ordered?

2. Early reviews were that the screen was poor, though it sounds like that was more isolated to the lower resolution model. Hows the matte quality?

3. Any known drivers issues with xp home (what I will be using until maybe windows 7)?

4. Silly question. I know the speakers suck but that shouldn't have any effect on headphone audio quality correct? 95% of my lappy audio is via headphone.

 

Does it support the Intel 3945 as a wireless card or only the 5xxx? I'm thinking of getting one and salvaging my current C90S.

 

it supports both 3945 and 5xxx series. as well as the 4965

 

Ok thanks. It sucks the Canadian exchange rate is so sucky right now. Only the barebone WSXGA+ & P8600 gets me almost the same price as the fully equiped GX620 in Canada. But the later one comes with the orange trim

 

I have an MS-1651 that I've had lying in its box for a while... Finally got around to assembling it this weekend, only to find that the processor (T7300) seems to no be compatible. The PC tries to turn on, the screen remains off, the PC turns off after a second, and then restarts. I have reason to believe that I have an older BIOS, which would probably be the explanation for it (other than the off-chance that I installed it incorrectly or if there are motherboard problems).

But I can't find a working link to any newer BIOS versions! The links I've seen earlier in this thread to the US BIOS downloads on MSI's site work, but there are no MS-1651 models listed, and the MS-1651's official MSI page doesn't contain a link to downloads, either... Can anyone help me out?

 

Here you go!

http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=driver&maincat_no=135&prod_no=1529

However your real issue is that the processor is not compatible with the chipset in the MSI-1651...see http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?familyID=35515

 

In another thread, I saw a person saying that updating the BIOS with the GX620 one is a bad idea and causes a few problems. Can anyone confirm that there are no problems with using the GX620 one, instead?

Also, I believe I've seen posts with people saying that T7xxx processors work on their MS-1651's... Most socket P processors should work, AFAIK. I know that I put a T8100 in a MS-1722, which is based on the same chipset, and it works fine, despite not being listed on the Intel page you linked.

 

I've been using the GX620 drivers for a while now with no problem whatsoever.