Question about MSI barebone notebooks

Hi all,

I am looking for a replacement for my current notebook. Now I read about these barebone notebooks from MSI.
They seem very reasonable priced, especiall when you compare them to the branded MSI notebooks.

Is there anyone that owns such a notebook? I would like to know how the build quality is. I had the MSI MS-1761 in mind. Also pretty important, how's the quality of the screens?

Regards

 

I did own the barebone version of the gx620, and the quality is basically the same as the prebuilt ones. The only difference is that the external shell is a lot more subdued and plain which is not necessarily a bad thing. As far as the screen quality goes, it's about average.

 

Quality of barebone is the same as branded ones. If you are looking for info about screen of MS-1761 barebone, just check any review of GT780. They both have the same screen.

 

I pieced together a barebone GT780DXR with a GTX 580M, i7-2670QM, 8GB DDR3 1333 RAM, 750GB 7200rpm x2 HDs, & 8X DVDRW and the price came out to around $1750.

Highly reasonable I'd say...

 

Barebones = MS-1761
Barebones = MS-16F2

Both offer upgrade to GTX580M for $399

GT780 models have no upgrade to GTX580M option

GT783-625 has GTX580M as stock GPU

GT783-658 has GTX580M as stock.

GTX783-658 with a DVD multi and 1 750GB hard drive is $2,099 before any discounts are applied.

With the branded GT783 model you get the MSI warranty and backlit keyboard included.

 

And Windows 7 Home too, correct? I think I saw that was a difference as well.

 

so how does one get hands on a barebone? def. interested!

 

GenTech PC - Customize System

580M option is there.

 

I'm currently speccing up a Barebones version of MSI's GT780/783 on Custom Laptops by PowerNotebooks.com™ - Custom Built Gaming Laptop Computers. Their barebone unbranded GT780 is the PowerPro 12:17. That has the option to upgrade to GT580M along with many other customizations. I'm loving the choice thus far and will be purchasing from them very soon!

Dan

 

Does the barebones have the same speakers as the branded one?

 

Considering all the MSI's I've looked at have Dynaudio, I'd say yes

 

Yes, they both use the same Dynaudio Tech Speakers.

 

gpu is MXM 3.0b upgradeable right?

 

Anyone that tells you the GPU is upgradeable beyond whatever is currently being offered (that is, upgradeable to something that does not yet exist, or that does exist but is not offered with that model) is leading you down the wrong path by telling you what they know you would like to hear. Alienware was famous for doing that, and then selling you a complete new motherboard and video card when you came back a couple of years later, or just telling you "sorry, it just can't be done". Unfortunately some others have copied that style.

The bottom line is you cannot upgrade your video card with something stronger that is in existence now (e.g. if only the nVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M 192bit w/1.5GB GDDR5 is offered on a particular model, you cannot usually upgrade to the GTX 580M in that model). Nor can you count on being able to upgrade to a next generation card that does not exist now. While that could be theoretically possible, it almost never is, and no one can know for sure until it exists and can be tested successfully.

 

Not to mention the minor factor that finding mobile GPUs readily available is no small feat. If you do, they're rarely sold from an established dealer, are usually salvaged from another unit and cost a good chunk of change.

 

im thinking of pulling the trigger on the gt683dxr with a 580m.. for about 1400, is that a good price for a barebone?

 

Where are you finding at MSI GT683DXR with a 580M? The GT685 has it, but not the GT683 unless you are talking about the barebone version like the PowerPro R 11:36.

 

GT683DXR Barebone on GenTech has the option

 

That is the point. If it is a barebone, it is not a GT683DXR. It is an MS 16F2 barebone that is like the GT683DX, but it is not an MSI branded model. The R on DXR stands for RAID, so that is also misnamed as it does not apply. There are several differences in the exterior case and there is no case lighting on the barebone MS 16F2, and the power strip is also different on the barebones...so to call it a GT683DXR barebones is not only confusing, it is not properly representing the product.

Just splitting hairs I know, but my post above has it stated accurately. The only MSI branded model with the nVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M 256bit w/2.0GB GDDR5 is the GT685 (not 683), which is not being brought into the USA.

In the USA only the barebones MS 16F2 has the nVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M 256bit w/2.0GB GDDR5 available, and that barebones is available under several brands, like the Force 16F2 at Xoticpc, the PowerPro R 11:36 at PowerNotebooks.com, and GenTech just calls it the MSI MS 16F2.

 

I suppose GenTech is advertising a misnomer when they have it in parentheses

 

Can anyone comment on how sturdy the barebones MSI 16F2 is? In particular, I'm somewhat concerned about the lid, as I've read that it is a bit thin/flimsy. We have a couple of cats who, despite my best efforts, might jump on top of the laptop when it's shut or rub up against the corner of it when opened, so I'm concerned that the lid and hinge may not be sturdy enough.

 

When reading all your comments, It seems I can't go wrong with these notebooks, especially when considering the very interesting price/performance ratio.

I think I just go for it. Thanks all for the replies.

 

The manufacturing quality is going to be the same for the barebones vs pre-configured laptops. The only real difference, as paladin said, is that they sometimes leave out some of the trim or change it to a more generic looking design that can easily be re-branded and sold by other companies.

As for hoping that you can upgrade the graphics cards, MSI does follow the MXM standard for cards so as long as the card uses the same standard there is a good chance that you can upgrade. However, as with anything, there are stipulations to that. For example while the card slot may be mxm3.0, its possible that the card you want to upgrade to has a higher power draw or has an issue communicating with the bios for settings.

There are minor changes here and there to the "standard" but your greatest worry is if the form factor of your new graphics card is the same as the old. Different manufacturers like to move items around on the pcb. or have the actual processor sit lower in the board thus requiring a shim or modded heatsink.

The results however can be very rewarding if you're willing to tinker and take risks. I went from a 9600gt 512mb to 4850 1gb. And it works flawlessly, even with a stock ATI heatsink.

Another option for upgrades is to watch and see if MSI uses the same chassis on the 780 for future models as they did with the GX720/GT735/725/729 etc.

Either way there usually seems to be a wealth of people who will buy that card off of you if your project fails.

 

MSI refers to their barebones notebooks as Whitebooks.

The bigest difference that you should be aware of between Whitebook and Branded is the warranty.

Branded = from MSI w/1 year global

Whitebook = Not from MSI

MSI Notebook Website