MSI MS-1651 Montevina BTO Notebook Barebone

You shouldn't have to pay any duties for a product that is manufactured in the US, but you will have to pay the appropriate GST/PST just as you would if you were to buy it locally.

The only other thing beside shipping cost (which you can calculate your self by going to www.ups.com) that you might have to pay is brokerage to whoever handled the Customs paper work. You can even avoid that by doing it yourself, or by using Expedited or Express shipping where it is included in the shipping cost.

 

Man now that you have received the 2096s I'm anxious about the MSI coming in. I really want to see better pictures about the standard finish of the laptop and perhaps a painted one (to see the gloss of the paint etc...).

 

Couple questions, after reading this entire thread and all but decided on the MSI 1651.

1. I want a laptop completely free from logos. Is the Powernotebooks or Xoticpc "Force" logo the nature of the beast? Is it easy to remove? Seems like a stupid minor thing but you know, I am a stupid minor guy.

2. Could someone explain what the "External Monitor Video Adapter" is and why I would need one? I plan to do some crazy ReWire with a second monitor. What does this guy do, and can I run a second simultaneous screen without it?

3. I am thinking of springing for the 2.8 Ghz over the 25w 2.53, but I am not sure if there will really be a noticeable difference in todays apps. Any thoughts on that?

4. Has anyone actually used the keyboard on this thing yet? How is key feel, durability predictions, and noise? Does the addition of the #pad cut down on key size and spacing in any meaningful way over say, my '06 Compaq Presario V6000 with a 15.4" and no #pad? I type probably at least 10,000 words per day so that is important to me.


Ok that was a whole bunch of questions. If you have answers to any of them, that would be awesome!

 

3. Unless you are overloaded with cash the performance of 2.8 vs 2.53 will not be noticeable to anyone, some people doing certain apps and holding a stopwatch might see a difference. And the price jump just not worth it IMHO.

 

The main function--that I need a high-end laptop for--is running multiple audio programs simultaneously, with a lot of audio and MIDI tracks and effects. I do some weird mobile music...

So, it is not so much that I am concerned about individual application performance as much as having enough processing power to do many things at once...

 

Same answer. Are you aware of notebooks shortcomings with audio? No dedicated sound card? Express cards still use CPU? firewire is 4pin?

I guess you are as you say you do it already? What is the CPU you have now? How does it perform? What are the shortcomings, make certain issues are CPU relate, if different component is the cause of bottleneck no GPU Quad core included will solve.

You know so much more as to your needs and issues unless I knew more kind of hard to respond specifically.

But still stand by "not worth it".

 

I use a firewire audio interface with its own onboard sound card, and 4 pin is not a problem because it doesn't need bus power.

It seems like "not worth it" is most likely good advice. I can't decide if it is future sensibilities, finer-points-of-computing ignorance or the fact that "it's the best ** they're selling" is the draw, but I think I will get the 25w 2.5 and the extra 5 minutes and 34 seconds of battery life

Thanks!

 

This is a question I had, it seems like it would make the keypad less comfortable. Could anyone provide specs on the size of the QWERTY part of the keyboard or what other notebooks I could compare it to (so I can head to bestbuy or a local store and try out a similar keyboard to see if it is right for me).

 

The keyboard itself is pretty much standard-sized EXCEPT for the "enter-row" vertical column (e.g., the backspace and enter keys are maybe 1-2 millimeters smaller, and the right-shift and \ keys are the same size as standard keys).

For an image of the MSI 15.4" keyboard+10-Key layout (it's the same layout on all of their 15.4" notebooks that have the 10-key keypad), check out:


The only complaint we've ever heard is in regards to the right shift key, which does take a little getting used to. If you were a good student in your typing class, it's going to cause hiccups for the first week, then you'll be over it. If you were a bad student in your touch-typing class and always looked for workarounds (like me ), you may not even notice the right-shift key. I haven't used the right-shift key since Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing insisted that I press the right-shift key when capitalizing left-hand keystrokes (I'm one of those freaks who is simply more comfortable using the left-shift key for everything).

 

All of our MSI barebone notebooks ship with an optical drive, most with the option to upgrade to Blu-ray..........

 

Are you planning on stocking up on the New GX620 models anytime soon?

 

As soon as they are released we will have them available. The MS-1651 ETA is 2nd week of August, The GX620, not sure yet..........

 

Hey guys, nice thread, the 1651 looks awesome. Will any of you guys have the MSI MS-1331 in stock too?

 

MSI usually includes the ODD with their barebones, but the 1651 and 1722 will not, so just be sure you have that figured into your pricing.

 

Yes we are completely aware..........

 

13.3", no eta that i know of so far.........

 

Ah alright. I cant find out anything about it apart from the info on the msi page. Does anyone knoe of any 13" or 14" Montevina notebooks that will be coming up?

 

Thanks, I almost never use the right shift key, I can't remember the last time I did, instead I use the left shift key for everything.

 

The only montevina ones so far are here at MSI's site:

http://www.msicomputer.com/NB/product_index.asp

 

To XoticPC guy, will you have the gx620 or just the 1651? Ang also is the laptop have a brushed metal look or is it just black?

 

pretty sure they have the barebone 1651....the gx620 is a laptop made directly from msi...whole system n all. The ones powernotebook and xoticpc has are barebone and then they put their own stuff in it.

 

are there any pics out for this in some of the non-delay colors..orange in particular

the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on this is no pics of these with colors...even if there is a older model with the non-delay orange colors or others that would help a great deal...oh and does anyone have experence with the non-delay paint (good quality?)

 

We are custom builders so we do not sell pre-configured laptops. We will only build the MSI-1651.

It is a flat black finish.

 

The pictures are on our website. Just go to the Configurator for the PowerPro P 15:3 and click on the link that says "Select Color or Custom Graphics (Click for Choices)"

The quality of the paint job is excellent, and is totally guaranteed by us instead of the 3rd party painter.

 

We have the 1651 available for pre order and will have GX620 on our website shortly. As other have stated you can choose the standard silver/gray exterior or choose one of the custom color options.

 

alrite thanks justin i will hopefully be ordering form you soon.

 

I'm looking for a smaller laptop to replace my current gateway 6831fx...
and I'm thinking about this MSI laptop i see in xoticpc....

Still thinking about how much extra i will need to pay...

 

Hi i have a question on the processor available to this laptop.


-Intel® T9400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 watt

-Intel® P9500 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt

these are essentialy the same except one is 130 and the other one is 165. Is there a difference from 35 watt to 25 watt? Is the extra 35 dollars worth it?

 

Some people have said there is a difference in battery life anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes (depending on usage). I went with the P9500, but it really depends on whether you think that extra 10-15 min of battery life is worth it.

 

T series are the performance based processors, P series are the power optimized processors. If battery life is not a huge concern go with the T series. There is not going to be a big difference between the two as far as battery life goes.

http://www.intel.com/consumer/learn/notebook/centrino-detail.htm

 

Has the shipment date been delayed? I noticed the ETA changed on xoticpc from 8/08 (I think that was it) to 8/31

 

If you have ordered you should contact your vendor regarding Estimated shipping dates.

 

I was told from MSI late August on the 620/30 series. When I am told a release date, I usually pad it by two weeks when talking to customers and never take pre-orders for something I don't have.

I found it tends to lead to customers feeling like something was over-promised. Then that leads to the inevitable blame-game in which the distributor and a copious amount of tears is brought into it.

I'm sure from the distributors point of view it is not their fault either. To them it is this chip maker or the parts supplier or this or that supplier to their warehouse to build the chassis.

Bottom line, if you pre-order something, understand that release dates from technology companies are seldom on time... have patience. As a side bar, there are many times when it is not only advantageous to wait for the release, but let it actually get out there for a month so bugs can be worked out. I have seen way too many things get changed and the early innovators kind of burned in the deal.

 

This model is not delayed, it is not due till mid to late August.

 

It is only the WSXGA+ screens are slightly delayed. The WXGA is expected to be in next week.

 

Ahh, Justin how long are the WSXGA+ screens expected to be delayed for?

 

This model has not been delayed by the manufacture, MSI over the past few years has been dead on with their release dates. When there is a model with multiple options (screen resolution, chassis color, etc) the base model is always released first (MS-1651 WXGA). The eta of this model is mid-late august and is still on schedule, the WSXGA was and is still end of August/September.

 

The WSXGA+ display is expected to arrive toward the end of August. The WXGA will be in around later next week.

Rob - we have this in writing directly from MSI...

 

Donald and Justin: I know that you can buy the 1651 without an OS from both of your sites. Do the driver CD's you guys send out with the computers have only Vista drivers?? Or do they have full sets of XP drivers too

 

Ours will have XP drivers as well as Vista drivers.

 

What material is this notebook made of? Plastic, fibre carbon, etc.?

 

It is a polycarbonate alloy = plastic...but STRONG plastic

 

I don't quite understand this. You are going to get the GX620 on your website the same way it looks as the MSI website shows it?

 

He just means that it will be available to pre-order/order/coming soon

 

I understand this. What I'm asking is will XoticPC have the GX620 the same way it looks as on the website of MSI.

Like this:

 

GX620 is factory-built only. However, GX620 can be resold by any reseller but they will have to indicate that it's a GX620 and not a MS-1651.

 

Alright. Justin, will the price be about the same as the Force 3551 or will it be more/less expensive? (Since it has things like the Turbo button and the design).

 

Seeing the price else where it might be a bit less expensive because of the (lack of) warranty.

 

Anyone have any hard data on this model yet? (Either the Force 3551 or the Power Pro 15:3) - or have they even shipped any yet?

 

The MS-1651 has not been released yet, it is due late this week or next.