Notebook MSI FX600 Full Review

After the first presentation at CeBIT 2010, the series finally debuted on the FX market. Technically, this is a midrange laptop in the price range around 800 Euro. With a processor i5-450M and a GeForce GT 325m with advanced energy saving technology by Nvidia Optimus, the MSI FX600 is definitely in step with the times. It can be used interchangeably in the two graphics cards. The Nvidia driver is responsible for change between the GT 325m and economic Intel GPU . In this way, the user can use the FX600 with the games ( GT 325m ) and, for example, the card less performing and more economical ( Intel HD ) during a train journey.

However, the specialty of this 15.6-inch does not lie in performance, but rather in the audio system with four speakers (certificati THX). (THX certified). In addition the manufacturer has introduced a new case, replacing the previously used excessively shiny.

Homes

The case is suitable dell'FX600 office, use in schools or the home thanks to his solid finish and not shiny (both for the workplace that cover the screen).

The so-called office typists, will benefit from the surfaces to be free from scratches and fingerprints varied. The only area of the frame is glossy black screen and of course the screen itself. The cage plastic keyboard seems to collect a little dust, as separating the keys from each other. However, pressing the area can be cleaned.

The case is stable but less rigid than when we would have expected from the presentation at CeBIT. With both hands you can fold it, even if we admit that bends very little. The palm rest area can be bent by applying a little 'pressure around stickers. for the base and cover the surface of the screen. In summary, the stability is good but not above average for a household.

The hinges are fixed firmly to the base. They are very strong and in fact is required to use both hands to open the notebook. The maximum opening angle is sufficient for use on knees (About 130 degrees). The large removable grille under the base allows the user to change hard drives, RAM, or WLAN module. Theoretically, this also applies to the Core i5.

Performance

MSI version 5447W7P dell'FX600 equipped with a Intel Core i5-450M . The 32nm CPU is a powerful mainstream processor. It has two physical cores that each have a clock speed of 2.4 GHz (standard). Turbo Boost reach them through the clock between 2.4 and 2.66 GHz. Among the features of the processor also have hyper-threading.. The CPU core will provide a virtual additional per physical core to enable the simultaneous execution of four threads.

One of the novelties of the 2010 Core i5 is the integration of memory controller and GPU in the processor package. The Intel HD nell'FX600 works in cooperation with Nvidia Optimus . This technology allows you to switch between the graphics card integrated efficient and dedicated Nvidia GPU without interruption. If dell'FX600 have a Nvidia GeForce GT 325m . The hardware switch for switching between graphics cards was omitted. Turn off the GT 325m to increase battery life considerably.

Screen

The 15.6-inch screen (Samsung 156AT05-H01) has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels (HD ready). The panel has room for improvement given the low contrast of 161:1. High contrast makes colors brighter and deep black. So it should be, but the lack of vibrant color screen and the black seems a shade of gray.

Measurements of the brightness results show higher than average. The average brightness is in fact of 198 cd / m². The lighting is significant (87 percent) as the TFT Crave 210 cd / m² in the most light and 182 cd / m² in less than bright. In enclosed spaces, a brightness of 150 cd / m² is sufficient. Outdoors could be a problem.

Use dell'FX600 under the sunlight, will not make so much fun browsing, writing or playing. The TFT panel lacks an anti-glare cover. This is a problem since a brightness of 198 cd / m² is not enough to protect you from annoying reflections. It 's too weak to counteract the intensity of the sunlight. The FX600 must yield to the aspirations of a notebook used for example in television.

Keyboard

MSI has opted for a keyboard with free buttons with the numeric keypad for fast entry of numbers. The keys have a good amount of space from each other, offering the writer a touch short and dry. Unfortunately, the pressure point is not particularly well defined, and this is due to a typing not really feeling well.

Despite the distance between the keys, there are some points to criticize about it. The keys on the numeric keypad, arrow keys, send and shift are too small for no reason since there was enough space. The placement of arrows in the direction of the palm rest areas separates them from other keys too.

The five hardware buttons are positioned just above the keyboard, and offer volume control, mode CinemaPro, WLAN and the initiation of a program (configurable). The power schemes MSI (TurboBattery, Gaming etc..) Can be selected using the special key "echo" call with the combination Fn + F5.

Touchpad

The multi-touch touchpad (Elan Smart-Pad 5.1) does not have vertical and horizontal scrollbars. You can not even activate the software by Elan Smart Pad However, scrolling and zooming with two fingers is possible through gestures. The user can scroll vertically or horizontally using two fingers. The keys have a high pressure but the click sound is silent. Fingers slide with the right amount of friction over small bumps. The natural oily film created by the greasy hands is a thing of the past.

Connectivity

This 15.6-inch has the minimum equipment in terms of connections. We do not find it because the ExpressCard nor the FireWire or analog 7.1 audio jacks. Movie fans will be able to connect an external hard drive through fast eSATA interface. The external displays can be connected via HDMI or VGA.

The data may be transferred at higher speeds through the Ethernet cable (Realtek Gigabit LAN). Same for the Intel WiFi Link 1000: this card support WLAN Draft-N (b / g / n).

Speakers

Two speakers are located above the keyboard (midrange and bass) the other two are under the palm rest (treble). One sticker reads "THX TruStudioPro" so as to emphasize the quality of the audio system. Not a THX audio system with its own proprietary hardware, such as Dolby Surround or DTS. It 's more a regulatory system, introduced by George Lucas' Lucasfilm group, initially implemented in cinemas.

Battery

The battery MSI FX600 should have been raised considerably dall'Nvidia Optimus. In some models we tested the ' Optimus Nvidia has worked well, as in ' Asus U30JC who passed away after seven hours in WLAN testing, despite a dedicated Nvidia GPU. We must say that it has a good battery of 84 Wh, 49 Wh not a simple as that dell'FX600.

Overall Results

With the FX600-i5447W7P MSI has produced a 15.6-inch for daily use. Fits recent use of video games, provided they can compromise in terms of detail and resolution, has a very good sound system (four speakers), heated and has little surface virtually unassailable.

Due to the slow hard drive 500 GB application performance is below what you'd expect from systems with Core i5, but rather the level of Core i3. The battery life of three hours while browsing the WLAN is perplexing. Energy consumption is still (Idle 12 Watts) thanks all'Optimus and the latest Intel Core i5. But there is to say that MSI has made economics the choice of battery capacity: 4400 mAh. The screen has a low contrast and brightness relatively low. Working under the sunshine is not the best (reflections).

If you search for a gaming notebook but not for office use and enjoy good music and movies at home, you can also make a thoughtful sull'FX600. The input devices are not perfect for typing intensive but not entirely bad after having gained confidence.

If you try to play instead of a notebook, there is no need for Nvidia Optimus. Even the Geforce GT 325m is not an ideal candidate, as he demonstrated the test on video games. Wanting to play, you should look for something with an ATI HD 5650 or HD 5730.