MSI GS30 Revealed

I too would suggest the 970 for more eye candy power lol. I can say the system plays awesome with a MSI 980 in it as I tested it out at CES and it was great, much better than I had expected from the unit.

 

Yep. Decided on the msi gtx970. Figured if I'm going all out may as well. It seems like an amazing card despite the.5gb controversy.

 

After thinking it through, I would love to purchase this laptop. The docking station would be a perfect fit for my tiny desk and would allow me to use a decent sized monitor and keyboard instead of the 15.6 inch notebook screen I currently have.

But for the love of God MSi, WHY DID YOU KEEP THE DRAGON LOGO. WHY?! WHYYYYYYY?!

*sigh*

Hopefully another retailer like OriginPC will make their own version of the GS30. I absolutely cannot use a notebook outside of the house that says Gaming G Series on the back.

 

Get it wrapped

 

How much do you charge for Hemi Orange + protection clear coat?

 

I think you might be misunderstanding the rush option as it doesn't require a clear coat, it's a custom fitted vinyl wrap. I can't discuss pricing on the forums per the reseller rules but the options are available to select on our configuration page along with the pricing for each.

 

If you really want a tiny adapter like I do, I think this would work: http://finsix.com/dart/ ($90 preorder shipping early Summer, 65W, and one 2.1A USB port)
Another competitor is the Zolt: https://www.gozolt.com/ ($80 preorder price with $100 MSRP, 70W, and two USB ports)

The GS30's included adapter is also 65W ( http://www.msi.com/product/nb/GS30-2M-Shadow.html#hero-specification), so either one of the two above should work. Of course, thats another almost $100 to add to the cost of this already exorbitant (to me) laptop.

If I do decide to purchase the GS30, that would be the choice for my card too. Probably the EVGA FTW+ ACX version, which EVGA claims is designed to reduce coil whine. I've heard of a lot of people having coil whine issues with the 970, and my 760 has this issue, which is somewhat annoying to me.

Please do post impression and a review, especially battery life. I hope you enjoy it!

 

Will do. Pc arrived today. Gpu arrives monday. Haven't even unboxed - work always getting in the way of things.

 

Also - heard of coil whine complaints from all the 970s. Thing is - they are all pretty much the same just have different cooling and power solutions. The card itself is not allowed to be changed as per invidia. So i think its a luck of the draw and perhaps some things to help prevent coil whine or reduce it. Went with msi as they guarantee their gpus to work with it but most importantly it runs the coolest. I think around 65-68° c under load! I think this is important because the docking station only has one fan and there aren't many ways to improve it.

 

Can anyone put out a review of this laptop? Just curious

 

Got ours posted

 

we have a pretty quick review!

 

I don't see any upgrade options for the wireless card in the Xotic customization of this model.

Why is MSI putting in a troublesome AC-7260 when they have been putting in the Killer N1525 in other models.

Even an Intel AC-7265 would be a step up.

 

I will see if we can get that added ass an option.

 

Review posted - new thread

 

Besides the network card, I'm guessing that there isn't an option for saving money by not having a preinstalled OS, like other manufacturers? I only ask cause I can get OSes for free as a student.

 

That's not an option as the OS is tied to the system and the key stored in BIOS. Since it comes default not possible to remove for a discount since we wouldn't be able to re-use it. Other manufacturers where it comes with no OS by default is exactly as they come default and why they offer the option to do.

 

That's unfortunate, but thanks for the clarification!

 

Is there an owners' thread?

1. I want to know if GS30 support PCIe M.2/NGFF 2280 NVme (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVM_Express) ssd such as the Samsung SM951?
2. Would the GS30 be upgraded to broadwell CPU soon?
3. How many battery life can I expect for light duties like web browsing and office productivity applications?

Thanks

 

So far there are a couple of owners, so I agree there should be an owners thread Hopefully an owner will begin the tradition. If not, maybe I will create it.

As for your questions: Keep in mind this is a new, just released, notebook concept.

1.- According to this, it does, by specification: https://www.sata-io.org/sata-m2-card
2.- Broadwell is not widely available. When broadwell launches, you will most likely see a refresh of MSI notebooks. This happens with every gen. Be patient, but it is almost a given that they will eventually update their entire lineup. Probably in 6 month?
3.- Battery life for the current model seems to be around the 4 hours mark.

 

Do you have to physically place the MS30 on top of the dock to use it, or can you connect to it with a cable? If you can't separate the two, would seem pretty dumb!

 

You do need to set the machine on the dock and snap it in place to have it work. Not a cable like AW does with their amplifier. This benefits MSI as they have more data bandwidth available than the cable option allows.

 

I'm kind of confused - I had recently contacted MSI - the tech mentioned only M.2 SATA (AHCI) 2280 will be supported - Funny thing is M.2 itself is PCIe based and is backwards compatible with PCIe/AHCI aka SATA. Theoretically, it should also support PCIe/NVme SSD

https://www.sata-io.org/sites/default/files/documents/M2_Webcast_Slides.pdf

I suppose BIOS updates is required to make it work?

Windows 8.1 and linux 3.3 kernel already have native support for NVme

 

It's linkage issue, the wiring isn't hooked up for the PCIe except SATA connectivity.

 

They kept the 16X lanes for the external interface to keep the bandwidth high, using the southbridge lanes would have had no bandwidth advantage with two drive slots.

 

Okay, I see, it's just that the laptop is not very usable if sat on that box, you'd need to use an external keyboard at least

 

That's kind of the idea with the external box, you keep it in place with an external screen and keyboard/mouse plugged in so when you get back you just need to insert the machine and away you go.

 

To use the dock you need to set the notebook on it, but you do not need the dock to use the notebook by itself. It can be separated and taken with you like you would a regular notebook.

 

I'm torn between MSI GS30 and Alienware 13 - The GS30 cost nearly twice as much in Australian dollars but comes bundled with the dock

Alienware 13 (Broadwell, 8hrs battery life @ 2.1kg with 2.5" SATA and M.2 slot) - $1399 + $300 (Graphics Amplifier - PCIe 4x) $1699
Alienware 13 (Haswell, 5hrs battery life @ 2.1kg with 2.5" SATA and M.2 slot) - $999 + $300 (Graphics Amplifier - PCIe 4x) $1299
MSI GS30 (Haswell, 4hrs battery life @ 1.2kg with only M.2 slot) with dock (PCIe 16x) - $1899

I would get the GS30 in a heartbeat if it can do at least 7 hours on light productivity/web browsing...

Not much use for the portability if I have to stay plugged in on the GS30. Not to mention I can use either M.2 SSD or a regular hard drive on the alienware 13.

 

Very interested in purchasing this machine... Problem is that rediculous dragon logo. I want to use it for work and obviously gaming when I am at home.

Is there anyway I can get the laptop in straight black no logo?

 

Not an option, they don't come in different chassis styles. If purchasing through us we do have our wrap option that would cover it up. Can even make it any image you want.

 

The best you can do is just cover it up with something else, but the aesthetic opinion may differ by person.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Can you send me a picture of what the wrap option would look like ?

I am a professional in the tech industry, and do no want to go into meetings with a hokey logo on my computer. Is there anything that looks attractive but subtle ? Like a glossy black or something like that?

 

It's a completely custom fitted vinyl wrap, so like a second skin for your laptop. The way it looks can be any way you want. If you check out our facebook or instagram account we have lots of photos. Otherwise hop on our site configuration page and hit the 'more info' link to be taken to our library of images. You're welcome to submit your own image as well once again.

 

I always found it funny how embarrasing people feel with the logo. In practice it does nothing, nor will it affect your standing with others haha.

I used my old GX660R which screamed gaming with lights everywhere etc, in meetings with domestic apliance giants, and power generation giants, and no one ever cared

Anyways, if its too much for you, you can definitely custom make, order, or whatever, notebook skins. You can even buy them off online and cut them yourself. I did see people use a lot the carbon fiber ones.

 

If you look for it you'll start to notice how most TV shows and the like have something over the logo of notebooks. I'm sure it has to do with advertisements but you see it everywhere. Just a simple sticker will cover it if you don't decide to go with a whole custom wrap. But those wraps are nice

 

Oh if you see a logo it's a brand deal, if you are bored with a movie or show see how many you can find.

 

Some people may felt that since the logo is made for gamers which may have negative influence toward their reputation among coworkers.

 

This!

I am already the youngest person in our management team, and the "gamer look" is something that does not help my image. Sounds silly.. But anyone whom understands politics will know appearance matters.

 

I know exactly how you thought. If this (impression) really matters to you then you shouldn't bring this notebook to work unless you can conceal that logo somewhat and still look professional. Also, you've mentioned that you are the youngest in the team so you may probably get away with that kind of mentality (he's a kid anyway). Anyhow, if it's not something you want to get into at all then I would not recommend you to bring any personal item to work.

 

My office place is BYOD, and I enjoy having a bleeding edge laptop for my work. As most professional's my work comes home with me, so I always love the idea of having one PC which I can easily switch to gaming. I am willing to pay a large premium for this and I think the GS30 is almost there...

I am sure there must be others like me. For a while I owned the first iteration of the Razer Blade 14'. Although that has a bit of a gamer look to it, it was passable for me. Instead of having a apple on the back, I had a snake...

Anyways maybe I am not quite ready to have 2 separate PC's quite yet....

 

Does anyone if there are plans to release the 15' inch version of GS30?

 

GS30 is 13.3"
GS60 is 15.6"
So your best bet is GS60.

 

Kevin, thanks for chiming in. GS60 looks somewhat different when compared to GS30. Don't you think so?

 

GS30 is a newer model, sure the design had been improved over previous models.

 

Looks like HIDEvolution will have the GS30 without the dock, for $1600. Seems expensive, are there any other Iris Pro laptops to compare to?
Makes me wonder if the dock will also be sold separately soon. That would be great for me, since I don't have the space and funds yet to get a whole monitor/keyboard/mouse setup to pair with the dock.

 

1600 is really expensive. If the laptop came with 965m I'd see paying 1600. I can get a laptop with a 980m inside for around 1600. I can't wait to see a laptop from msi that will work with the dock and also has dedicated graphics inside.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=487...AUoAQ&biw=360&bih=525#spd=6032228800887916597
2300$ with discrete gpu 970m aurusbrand. Its a 13.9 inch so kind of comparable in size. Weight is likely different andi imagine heat if you combine small with 4870hq plus a gpu!
Fangbook has onefor 2k$ no clue the specs but i believe thats a 15 inch.
If i remember right the aurus runs pretty well benchmark wise - but you could do the gs30 for the same price with less heat probs and better performance. Its why i went with it. Oh and the macbooks use 4870hq processors with light gpus like 750m (to keep heatdown) if you wanna go to the dark side

 

I guess that $1600 is the premium for ~2.6lbs of weight, a slim chassis, smaller charger, etc. $1700 gets you into a thin-and-light (but still heavier than the GS30) with a 970m at most. If it came with a 980m, it would probably seem like a brick compared to these.

Ideally, I would want to see something at maybe 3lbs that is compatible with the dock (but sold with AND without it, with the option of buying the dock in the future), but with maybe a low-midrange dGPU like a 950m or 960m? Maybe with Broadwell or a later architecture, less CPU cooling will be needed, which can then be given to GPU? Or maybe I'm dreaming too much.

 

Haha. I mean its like everything in life. There is always going to be some trade offs. For me besides the price and a little playing with the fans and cpu - in this case my only trade offs.