MSI GT70 2OC Gaming Notebook

The MSI GT70 2OC Gaming Notebook is very capable, especially when it comes to powering the latest Direct X 11 titles. MSI have paired a powerful 8 thread Intel i7 processor with the Nvidia GTX770M graphics card. This combination delivers smooth, consistent frame rates, even when enabling high image quality settings in demanding titles such as Batman Arkham Origins, and Battlefield 4.

The MSI GT70 2OC is a hefty, chunky laptop, a stark contrast against the svelte MSI GT70 2OD Stealth which we reviewed back in September. The slimline appearance of the Stealth however is met with a caveat … it is only equipped with the GTX765M, noticeably less powerful than the GTX770M in the 2OC. You don't get a size reduction without having to make some compromises.

MSI are opting for some first class components in the 2OC. The Dynaudio speakers for instance sound surprisingly good, even when listening to music. They won't compete with a quality, external pair of speakers or headphones but considering the physical limitations, this is pretty much as good as we could hope for.

MSI are using the Bigfoot Killer E2200 LAN with the Killer N1202 and we recorded some fantastic download speeds across wireless via the Apple AirPort Express (802.11n), maxing out at 15.1MB/s. We haven't seen better wireless speeds than this across the length of a house, between a floor.

The integrated backlit Steelseries keyboard is very enjoyable to use, and the tactile feedback makes it a pleasure to use for more intensive typing duties.  We don't think it is quite at the same level as the best keyboards in the Lenovo ThinkPad range, however it does rate a close second.

We have no concerns with any of the hardware inside the 2OC. The combination of fast 128GB SSD and 1TB mechanical drive means the laptop boots up in around 10 seconds while giving plenty of storage space for the latest games, or main drive backups.

The 17.3 inch LED panel is easily one of the best we have seen in the sub £1,500 price range, displaying vibrant colours and pin sharp text. Viewing angles are also reasonably good with only minor off shift on both vertical and horizontal axis. The panel isn't as glossy as some we have seen, but it does lend itself well to high definition media duties, while muting high ambient light that may be troublesome on other machines.

Battery life is also a strong point, thanks to the substantial 87Wh unit installed in the unit. In real world terms you should be able to squeeze out between 4 and 5 hours of use handling lighter duties, and around 2 hours when gaming.

MSI have equipped this laptop with a high level of connectivity. There are no less than 5 USB ports on the sides. Three of these are USB 3.0 rated, with one positioned close to the front of the laptop … ideal for connecting a physically restrictive USB flash drive out of the way of other devices.

Under load, the GT70 2OC does get hot, although the air flow system inside is able to shift a lot of heat. It isn't the quietest or coolest running laptop we have tested, but there are always penalties to deal with when using a powerful, on the move, gaming system.

The MSI GT70 2OC Gaming Notebook is a remarkable portable desktop replacement with only minor weaknesses. You can pick it up as tested today from Overclockers UK, for £1,399.99 inc vat.

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Pros:

• Nvidia GTX770M is a great partner for DX11 1080p games.
• 8 thread Core i7 processor.
• Solid State Drive.
• 1TB 7,200 rpm storage drive.
• 5 USB ports.
• Great onboard audio system.
• excellent backlit Steelseries keyboard.
• Killer NIC is ‘n' capable.
• vibrant, sharp 17.3 inch panel.

Cons:

• can get hot.
• not the quietest machine under load.
• Big and heavy.

Kitguru says: A well balanced, fast desktop replacement which can handle the latest Direct X 11 games such as Battlefield 4 and Batman Arkham Origins.

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