£799 inc VAT * uk.msi.com * tinyurl.com/6h9d6sq
MSI's GE620 may not be the most eye-catching laptop here, but
it's got plenty of power at its disposal. One of two laptops we tested
running the quad-core Intel Core İ7-26300M processor, the MSI
turned in a stunning 131 points in our WorldBench 6 test - just
one point below the category-leading Packard Bell (page 60).
Aimed at gamers, a dedicated nVidia GeForce GT 540M graphics
card with 1GB of video RAM provides equally impressive gaming
performance. The MSI recorded 54fps in our Fear test ('Maximum'
detail settings). In contrast, the Packard Bell relies on integrated
graphics and scored just 17fps in the same test. MSI even throws
in a copy of Assassin's Creed II.
But while the MSI's speed will be appreciated by the gaming
crowd, the display might be considered a let-down. It's a 15.6in
(1366x768-pixel) LED-backlit panel with lacklustre colours
and somewhat fuzzy definition.
The 500GB hard drive isn't the largest on offer but, like the
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge (page 57), it spins at 7,200rpm. This allows
it to access large files faster, which is useful for video editing tasks.
The keyboard has well-spaced keys, although we found the
Enter button too small for our liking. The touchpad is textured,
but the approach works well once you get used to it.
The GE620 features two USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 ports,
plus VGA, HDMI, a card reader and a webcam. Connectivity-wise,
802.11b/g/n, gigabit ethernet and Bluetooth cover most bases.
At 2.4kg, the MSI is practical as a travel companion, while its dark
grey finish will enable it to blend perfectly into a traditional office
environment. Although it has far from the longest lifespan of the
group, the MSI endured a usable 274 minutes of our tests.
VERDICT: MSI's GE620 is targeted at gamers, but it has plenty to
offer business and home users too. Performance in Windows
and games is very good, but the laptop's battery life is average,
Had it not been for an unimpressive screen, the GE620 would
have scored higher in our ratings.
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