New PowerPro R 12:17(MSI 1761 barebone with GTX570M)

Well that's unfortunate. Thanks Rob.

 

What does EC stand for?

 

Embedded Controller

 

Thanks. So that differs from the BIOS but is flashed in the same manner?

 

Correct, it is.

 

I just compared the two, there is someone offering these installed on ebay as a "quote" "hacked" installation. They do not mean software "hacked" but actually cut up "hacked". For the hardware installation you will need to cut off the mounting tabs. This is a problem and why we did not initally pursue the installation of the backlit keyboard. If you cut the tabs off to install on the barebone you now have a problem if there is an issue with the keyboard hardware. It cannot be returned under warranty, for us as a reseller to offer an installation like this is not an ideal situation. I will check tomorrow which firmware will function correctly on the barebone to activate the keyboard and all color functions.

 

We warrant any upgrade we install, so if there is a true failure of the Steelseries keyboard installed on our PowerPro R 12:17 it will be covered.

 

Can anyone provide a link of where to buy the "hacked" keyboard? Or would powernotebooks be willing to sell me just the modded keyboard?

 

The keyboard without the proper EC will be useless. We have a very limited supply of the keyboards, so if you just want the keyboard and instructions on how to install it you are better off buying it on eBay. Just do a search for it there.

 

What is the model number of the steelseries keyboard?

 

I have sent you a PM regarding where I bought mine.

 

Found one on ebay, too bad i dont have a 17" =((

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-MSI-not...Trackballs&hash=item19c9521403#ht_4707wt_1016

 

Anyone who tried the Steelseries keyboard already on this barebone? What's up with all this bad reviews on the MIS GT 780 specifically the steelseries keyboard?

 

I Believe the first steelseries made were defective and missed keystrokes often. MSI has since then caught that and fixed this issue. I believe the original people were eligible for free replacement keyboards. So I sure do hope that these keyboards on eBay are from the later batches.

 

I just realised that the link to my PowerPro R 12:17 review no longer works cause the site has been revamped. Here is the new link and just find the Oct 1st show. Just in case anyone has had trouble with that. : )

http://esnips.com/profile.php?uid=921594

 

I'm starting to strongly consider the 12:17 or the 11:36 Powerpro models. My initial concern is that I'm not very familiar with MSI and because they are a relatively new brand of laptop I'm not sure if there is enough information out there to gather a lot of long-term reports and experiences. What is your general consensus on MSI (and/or Powerpro) laptops? Would you say the build quality of these laptops is reliable enough to last at least 2 years, or longer with proper care? Are there any major issues that people experience with these laptops, or MSIs in general? I'm not trying to take the cheap way out, I can afford other laptops. But I really like the specs of both of these laptops, they offer everything I'm looking for for a very nice price. My initial plan was to go with an Asus, but now I'm starting to have second thoughts after I discovered these two Powerpro models.

 

Yes! These notebooks are solid. It will last more than 2 years with proper care. I am pleased with quality of mine.

 

Ok Tim, it is over a month later now...are you still pleased with it?

 

Needed 2 notebooks for gaming sons. I have had terrible luck with Dell (thus alienware now), gateway, etc.

Found powernotebooks. Note of importance, if you call a place that does not treat you well while you are trying to give them your hard earned money, impatient, not knowledgable, etc, how are they going to treat you AFTER you buy. Well, I got tons of info from Donald, compared 5 different sellers, 9 different computer set ups, went with the 12:17, added a SSD as the primary, added the steelcase keypad, and I am convinced I have the best computers on the way that I have ever owned.

The integrity, interest, and knowledge of the sales, plus their superior 3 year (I opted for the 2 business day mailing) warrantee, lifetime 24/7 tech, and the fact I will be dealing with folks involved in the production of these machines sold me. I am guessing these will be around until my sons need a newer faster computer to run programs they need, probably 3-5 years.

 

Yes for sure! I can repeat those words after another two months, if you ask me
Now I am really considering one of your PowerPro R12:17. Hope you will hold one for me?

 

Last minute I decided to get the R 12:17 over the R 11:36. Donald has been a great help over the phone and I wouldn't recommend buying a computer anywhere else. I ordered today and its going to ship 1/2/12 at the latest... that's a 3 day build time! I can't wait to get this machine and see what it'll do. Thanks again Donald, I'll spread the word in Minnesota what a great company you guys run.

 

I'm a student in the UK who was originally gunning for an MSI GT780DXR, until I posted on the overclockers forum to see if there were any alternatives. Through a good recommendation I ended up signing up here to be able to contact paladin44/Donald, and I am not disappointed. Seeing their PowerPro 12:17, a barebones of the MSI, i could configure it exactly how I liked, without compromise. I like how it has lost the garish flashy msi look at me lights, but one main reason I wanted this chassis was for the SteelSeries keyboard. After reading the first few pages of this thread I'm glad they managed to successfully fit it, I didn't know it wasn't originally an option!

But yes, I have specced up a 12:17, this is roughly what i'm going for:

I'm hoping to order this in a week or two, with a few minor alterations, once my student loan and bursary comes through!

Dan

 

I have a question about the differences between the MSI1761 BB and the pre-built ones for people who own or tried both. Is there any difference to the exterior and looks of the case/machine?

 

Yes, they are the same except for the skin (outer case parts). Just take a look at the Photo Galleries that are available on the dealer's websites.

 

I assume there is no way to change the whole case, to that of the prebuilt, is there?

 

No, if you want that case, buy the branded version.

 

Going with the Barebone then, the price difference is not worth the skin

 

Bumping as I haven't heard hide nor hair in a review of the default screen. Is the 90% gamut display worth the upgrade?

 

How do you like the machine so far?

 

I just received my MSI 1761 in last night, and opted for the "default" matte screen. I was rather upset when I saw the screen and didn't see any kind of film to peel off. However, after a bit of time my eyes seemed to have got used to it, or maybe there is a "burn in". I found some threads of people going from this to the AUO v4 screen and saying how better the new one was. I found some for ~$150 at first glance. I am going to wait a week or month and see how I feel. But, I will say, in game it (the default screen) looks amazing still. Upping the brightness seemed to make it less noticeable (through the fn keys).

Maybe the glossy, 72% option will be better?

I also found this but have not applied the settings:

 

Well I ended up buying an AUO BWH1701 v4 glossy 90% myself off ebay from user screenintaipei. The first one I got had a really really small nick but it bugged me. So I returned it for another and had to pay half the return shipping... Did this about several months ago.

It is amazingly better than the chi mei matte screen. Best laptop screen I've ever seen, better than the majority of desktop tn panels I've seen either. Colors are vibrant right off the bat, even better when loading a color profile I found off this forum. No grainy matte texture, no overly bluish tint. If ou need matte, I think the AUO matte coating seems to be much better than chi mei, no grainy texture.

 

i saw some ppl complaint about the poor quality of the screen, any1 can verify this?

 

I doubt this...the screen quality is excellent.

You say you 'saw' people complain...so show the links instead of starting a false rumor.

 

New FORCE 1761 with keyboard and screen probs - XOTICPC Forums

PowerNotebooks.com Reviews - powernotebooks.com/index.php3 Ratings at ResellerRatings

Disappointed in MSI FORCE 1761 / MSI 1761 matte screen - XOTICPC Forums

i'm just asking whether its true or not.... what benefit can i get from spreading rumor??

 

Regarding screen complaints, I've only read some people having issues with the matte screen being "grainy-looking", or there's some kind of rainbowing specially noticeable on white/bright colors. According to what I've read on what people said on GT780 owner's thread, it's like the screen of your cellphone when you pressed it on your sweaty face, and the oil has been left on the screen. Something like that

 

Dont know if this has been answered or not, but I am having issues getting Win 7 Ultimate 64bit installed with RAID configured. It will install in SATA mode but not RAID. Basically what happens is if I configure the drives in RAID 0, Windows gets all the way to the very last screen when it is "Configuring Windows for First Use" then stops and says "Windows can not be installed on this hardware".

This is a legit OEM copy of Ultimate that was purchased from a local retailer with the initials "MC"

Thanks for any help!!!

 

When you set your laptop up for RAID, did you hit Ctrl+I to get to the RAID setup and configure your drives?

Also, do you have 2 identical hard drives installed in your system?

Lastly, does your copy of Windows 7 have SP1 (Service Pack 1)?

 

The laptop I was sent actually has 2 different HDD's, 1 is a Seagate Momentus st9570420as and the other is a Western Digital wd7500bpkt. I dont think this matters as they are both 7200RPM and 16MB cache.

One thing I have not tried, however, is using the unsigned driver option during the Windows install. I didn't try that since I assumed Intel's drivers would be signed.

The OEM of Ultimate I am using is SP1

Thanks for the help

 

When you do a raid0 setup you should start with 2 clean formatted same size and speed drives.

Have Widows 7 on a USB flash drive and the Intel RST on a 2nd USB flash drive.

Win7 x64 Ultimate ISO
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?fo...&txt=English&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13245194375773
Unpack to USB using Microsoft USB/DVD Tool
Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool - Download.com

Intel f6flpy x64 RST
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=20984

Set the bios to RAID

On startup press f11key and select the Windows 7 flash drive.

The press CTRL + I keys to enter the raid utility.Here you will select the raid type and the member disks for the array.You will then reboot and select the Windows 7 flash drive.

Choose custom installation.

Insert the 2nd USB flash drive with the Intel f6flpy RST

On the next screen will be Add Driver

Browse to the folder on the 2nd USB with the RST files.

Install

Continue installation

During the 1st system reboot remove both USB flash drives.If you don't remove them the installation may start from the beginning again.

When the OS installation is complete:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi...t780-gt783-owners-lounge-498.html#post8177509

 

I was using the wrong driver the entire time. Thank you so much!!!

 

My barebones has finally arrived <3 Just need to purchase the ram, wifi and cpu.
Is this CPU compatible with this laptop?

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i7...ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1331245763&sr=1-1

 

That should work fine.

The older 2nd generation Sandy Bridge mobile i7 CPUs are 2630QM,2720QM,2820QM and 2920XM.

The 2nd generation mobile i7 CPUs were refreshed last September and now include 2670QM,2760QM,2860QM and 2960XM.

The difference between the new and old lineup is a 200mhz speed bump on the new.

 

Awesomeness, I take it the newer cpus work on it too? Are they worth the price bump? Planning to emulate PS2 games and use it for my steam games.

 

so you changed a new laptop after few months? as i can see from your signature that you owned sager 8130/p151hm, how was it?? not good??

 

The "worth" or value of the price bump is ultimately up to the consumer.

 

Which is better for a gaming laptop? nVidia GTX 560M with 3GB or GTX 570M with 1.5GB?

I'm debating between the ASUS G74SX (560M 3GB) or the PowerPro R 12:17 (570M 1.5GB)...

I'd buy either laptop with Intel Core i7-2670QM and 16GB RAM (1333MHz).

 

The gtx 570m is better.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

Correct...the nVIDIA GeForce GTX 570M w/1.5GB GDDR5 is better.

3GB video memory doesn't help at Full HD (1920x1080) resolution. It will only help if you are using 3D, or connecting an external monitor 30" or larger, or at a higher resolution than Full HD (1920x1080).

 

And if you are indeed planning on using 3D, then you'd need a much better card than the 560 anyway

 

You guys are awesome with your quick reply.

I got more questions regarding my prospective purchase mentioned above:

1. Assuming I'm going with the PowerPro and GTX 570M, should I get 8, 12, or 16 GB RAM? Does it make this much of a big deal? the price difference isn't that much.

2. Does the PowerPro have ExpressCard slot? I need one for a smartcard reader.