MSI GT680 mini-review (2.00GHz Core i7-2630QM, GTX 460M 1.5GB)
Posted by James on March 29, 2012 · 23 Comments
A “quick” mini-review of the MSI GT680R-008US gaming laptop. Glad I switched from a Mac. Couldn’t be happier with my purchase. A new MacBook Pro with similar specs would cost nearly 00 more than this did. Speaking of the price, it’s only 99 on Newegg (I paid 49 for it because I bought it directly from MSI). Specs: – 2.00GHz Core i7-2630QM, 2.9GHz Turbo Boost, Sandy Bridge, Intel HD 3000 – Nvidia GTX 460M 1.5GB GPU – 8GB RAM 1066MHz (4x2GB, as there are 4 RAM slots) – 1TB HDD (500GBx2 in RAID0; put one of them into a USB 3.0 enclosure and replaced the original with a 64GB Corsair Nova V64 SSD) – 1920×1080 15.6″ display (16:9 aspect ratio, for those who can’t do math) – 2xUSB 3.0, 2xUSB 2.0, 1xE-SATA, 1xHDMI, 1xVGA, card reader – Audio system by Dynaudio, which is simply the best speaker system you’ll ever find in a laptop – 2.0MP HD webcam – Full-sized keyboard w/numpad – 10/100/1000 [Gigabit] ethernet All that for 99? Lets see your stupid MacBook Pro give you all of those things for just 99. Will never ever happen. PCs will always provide a better value. I can care less about software, design, and support options. twitter.com www.msi.com
I’m glad a Mac user as switch over to PC and has openly admitted that Mac’s are just extremely over? priced.
How does the GTX 460M compare to the GT540M??
sorry but whats the switchable graphics you mentioned @8:01 secs??
that and the partsare a better bildand? give alittle better performace.
I was considering a Mac until I came across the MSI? with 16gb(!!!) ram for $1480. Pretty tough to beat.
@mvenom101 I’m sure you can. I never looked into? it.
Considering the battery life is just under what i? would like, is it possible to buy an extra replacement 9-cell battery for this from somewhere?
I got this laptop last month after looking at a number of reviews including yours, very happy with it, especially the speakers. My only negative was the awful trackpad, and especially the keyboard. It does miss keystrokes and rattles in certain areas. I found to fix these problems was to pop it off, and put? padding underneath which improved it considerably.
@wamdue404 I’m not aware of any mobile chipsets that support switchable graphics just yet.?
@devilmaycry0917? Too big for me. Looks cool though.
alienware m17x R3 :D?
@huxter1822 The wrist area is fine; it? doesn’t get too warm. The mic is actually quite poor, so if you need to use it, then I recommend getting a gaming headset or something.
how is the heat while gaming?? i mean uncomfortable on the hands wrists?? and one more question how is the mic on this laptop??
@MrWang1212 Screen isn’t too bad when it comes to glare. There is a good bit of glare, but it’s not annoying (IMO).?
everyone says the keyboard can get? really anoying….how bad is it ?
hows? the screen in terms of glare?
this suck that apple ppl talk so much smack to you gumbal. typical apple fanatics. Me i work with computers and can say that this? computer to have all the specs is has you will pay close to 3000 dollars for. for the same price you got this laptop youll get a sheap laptop from mac with much slower specs that you can buy a pc for far far less. so for all you apple fanatics shut up and respect anyones opinions. bcuz if you go for spec, price comparisons with apple and pc, apple will get wiped out
@nightmareghost The GX740 looks nicer than the GT680, but:
1. Although the GX740 has a bigger display, it doesn’t? have as high of a resolution.
2. Processor isn’t as fast.
3. GPU isn’t as fast.
4. The audio system is probably better.
5. Not as much RAM.
6. Not as much disk space.
7. No USB 3.0.
Decent laptop, though!
How? would you compare this to the GX740?
@jbripped you’re*
Yes, I do know what I’m getting. A pretty box and a slow? machine that costs more than it should ever be worth.
@gumballtech well… as they say… you get what you pay? for… and apparently YOU have no idea what your getting when you pay for a mac!
@ChAnGoiFly blackra1n??
@zethca HA, I beg to differ. I don’t care about? the Apple ecosystem. People will pay for anything Apple. But hey! It’s their money. I’d rather have a very fast and priced-right computer than a nicer looking case with a high price-point.