MSI GE62 2QD (Apache) 029UK Review

The MSI GE62 2QD is an attractive laptop measuring 383 mm x 260 mm x 27mm (WxHxD). The MSI logo features on the front of the lid, as shown above.

There are plenty of cooling vents underneath the chassis to help with air flow.

The FHD display is quite beautiful and renders small text extremely well. There is a fine matte coating on the screen which enables viewing in some tricky situations. Edge to edge consistency is excellent. In my opinion a 1080p resolution is ideal for a 15 inch laptop. I measured contrast at 530:1 which is excellent.

Viewing angles are fantastic and some of the best we have seen in the last year. This is an IPS panel, not TN, which was a surprise considering the somewhat modest pricing point.

We analysed the refresh rate, and it returned a result of 6ms. Ideal for all but the most demanding of gamers.

The keyboard on the GE62 is more enjoyable to use than the one installed in the Razer Blade 2015 and Razer Blade 2015 Pro. The travel is a little greater and as such the response is much improved. I am not a fan of the single height return key, but this is personal taste rather than a fault.

I am not a huge fan of the big sticker on the far right of the machine – I do wish more PC manufacturers would copy Apple in this regard. I already know the hardware specification, I don't need a constant reminder.

When powered on, the keyboard glows and looks great in dimly lit conditions. Unlike the Razer Blade however, the keyboard does not glow until the Windows software client is running. This is a little disappointing, if a minor point.

Onboard audio is perfectly fine, but I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Good headphones or speakers are advised to get the most from the GE62 2QD.

Nothing along the front of the laptop, and along the back are two large exhaust vents – this is where all the hot air is exhausted from inside the machine. We like the subtle red racing style stripe.

The left side of the laptop has a headphone and microphone jack, three USB 3.0 ports, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, and a GB Lan port. There is a location at the rear for a Kensington lock. The right side of the laptop has a USB 2.0 port (ideal for a mouse), an optical drive, card reader slot and power connector port.

The trackpad is very good, with two physical buttons running along the full length of the bottom edge. A mouse is obviously preferred, but in a pinch, it is certainly serviceable.

Along the top are three buttons, one for full/auto fan mode, Steelseries, and power on/off.

The MSI GE62 2QD scores well in regards to build quality. The hinges for example are substantial and will certainly withstand a lot of rough handling. We like the fact that the screen doesn't shake at all during use – a problem with lesser designs.

The above image shows the screen fully extended. Its around 150 degrees.

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