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    Please help choosing MSI model...

    Discussion in 'MSI' started by gibson00, Jun 29, 2015.

  1. gibson00

    gibson00 Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi all,
    I'm currently an Alienware 17 owner, purchased about 2 years ago. I'm -very- happy with it. I'm thinking of buying a second laptop as my son has sort of taken over my Alienware. I'm interested in trying an MSI, partly because I want to try something different, and partly due to the number of complaints I've read about the new AW models...
    Anyway, I'm not a hardcore gamer, but a little bit.
    One thing I really loved about the alienware was that it came with a second empty HD bay, so when I bought it, I put the stock HD in the spare bay for storage, and installed an aftermarket SSD as the main drive, huge upgrade!!
    So for an MSI....I'm fine with i5, I'd like to get a 15", but would be open to a 17" (especially if it gives me the extra HD bay), would like to be able to put a second HD (SSD) in it like I did with the AW. I'd like a dedicated video card but don't need the latest and greatest. I also -really- value a quality keyboard and trackpad, I do not use an external keyboard or mouse.
    Ideally I'd like to keep it around $1k Canadian, especially since I'd likely be buying a SSD too.
    Could you guys recommend which model I should look at, and the best place to buy in Canada?
    Thanks!!
     
    gibson00, Jun 29, 2015
    #1
  2. Galm

    Galm "Stand By, We're Analyzing The Situation!"

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    What kind of graphics card do you want in it? It's not going to be too easy to get an MSI for that cheap with a 970m or higher. Also was your current Alienware that cheap? It's going to be hard to replace it at that size. I would say a GE60 would be around your price range and has 2 SSD slots and one HDD slot, but the graphics card in the one on XoticPC is only an 860m.
     
    Galm, Jun 29, 2015
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  3. gibson00

    gibson00 Notebook Evangelist

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    I really don't need a top graphics card. My AW was about $1450 Canadian, but it has an i7, 17" monitor, and that was two years ago.
    Again, I'd be fine with i5 and 15". The GE60 looks nice, but the ones I see in Canada seem to have an i7 and are almost $1400. Would rather find something a bit less expensive this time..
     
    gibson00, Jun 29, 2015
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  4. gibson00

    gibson00 Notebook Evangelist

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    gibson00, Jun 29, 2015
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  5. gibson00

    gibson00 Notebook Evangelist

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    gibson00, Jun 29, 2015
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  6. Xanius

    Xanius Notebook Consultant

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    That GE model is well worth the extra $200. The GP is all plastic and does not have a backlit keyboard where the GE62 has a nice aluminum keyboard deck and lid. At $400 off that GE62 will be hard to beat in Canada.
     
    Xanius, Jun 29, 2015
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  7. Prostar Computer

    Prostar Computer Company Representative

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    The GE72 is a good, solid system. Good performance, good keyboard, and good speakers (for a laptop). The GT72 models are also very good, albeit at a higher price point and noticeably bigger (and heavier).
     
    Prostar Computer, Jun 30, 2015
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  8. Aragonalt

    Aragonalt Newbie

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    The GE series are good if you're looking for product quality and performance as well as affordability. As Xanius mentioned, the GP being plastic, it's because the GP series are a lot more budget friendly. If a graphics card is not an issue for you then I think settling for something like the GE 62 Apache would be the computer for you.

    http://ca.msi.com/product/notebook/GE62-2QE-003US-Apache.html#hero-specification
     
    Aragonalt, Jul 28, 2015
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