MSI GT725 Gaming Notebook

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Introduction MSI

MSI has continued to uphold a business philosophy that stresses "Award-winning product quality and outstanding customer service." MSI specializes in the design and manufacture of mainboards, graphics card, add-on cards, servers/workstations, iPC, barebones, communication devices, CE products, Notebooks, and car PC products.

"Quality Products Create Faithful Customers" is a motto that guides all that we do at MSI. For this reason, MSI goes all out to be the best of the best in research and development. Currently, 2,500 experienced engineers staff our research and development department. This talented team carries out its work with the latest research equipment, continuing to raise the bar on product quality and innovative product features.

At MSI, we put our motto "Quality Products Create Faithful Customers"--into living practice. In 1995 and 1996, we received ISO-9002 and ISO-9001 product quality certification, respectively. In 1999, MSI received ISO-14001 environmental certification, affirming our commitment to the environment. Furthermore, MSI products undergo rigorous quality control testing, attaining a 99.6% quality rate, a level far higher than the industry standard. MSI's superior product quality has garnered exceedingly favorable coverage from the global media, countless awards, and a very enthusiastic customer response.

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MSI GT725 Overview:

MSI a huge computer product manufacturer in the technology industry, manufacturing a complete package from from high end motherboards and graphics cards to MP3 players and laptop computers. MSi has come up with GT725 gaming notebook with a dual core 17 inch screen which actually set an efficient workstation to work on, also consists of portable gaming rig and media centre system to help you feel a home theatre effect.

CPU Turbo Mode

With MSI exclusive Turbo Drive Engine Technology, while the GT725 is in AC mode, just by touching on the turbo button above the keyboard, you can simultaneously increase the speed of your CPU, also the computer will run smoother and to the best of its abilities.

Brand New Gaming Beauty Exterior Design
The Combination of Aluminum and Metallic Threads in Body Design

The outer body is once again surrounded with the ingenious flame design as an extension of the previous G-Series’ unique element, symbolizing the essence of speed, marking the total presence of the G-Series. Furthermore, the new GT725 has selected aluminum as the base for our exterior, and adding the metallic threads for design on the cover, giving it an outstanding sense of fashion. The high quality feel of the body added with the flames as the concept of speed, the GT725 is a must-have accessory for the modern stylish games obsessed with speed, a totally new experience in gaming.

Aerodynamic Touch Sensor

The GT725 has applied the aerodynamic touch sensor design, using a simple black mirror plate as base and red linings to accentuate the slickness of the faceplate. There are no added accessories, and under the icy colors evolve a sense of elegance and professionalism. It creates a sharp contrast to the red outer body, adding even more individualism to the GT725.

All you have to do is to touch gently on the touch sensor to start any applications while operating, just as simple as that.

Futuristic 3 Dimensional Hi-Fi Speakers Design

The New GT725 has selected the metallic polishing process to accentuate the futuristic styling of the 3D speaker pores, fully displaying the brilliance of movement. Furthermore, the embedded high performance subwoofers design at the bottom of the computer can create shocking low-end effects. The audio experience is as real as it gets, providing a feast of sound like never before!

W/A/S/D Buttons on the Keyboard

In addition, keeping the gamers’ playing habits in mind, GT725 especially added the colorful W, A, S, D buttons on the keyboard, so the player can find the direction controls in record time. Every second counts when it comes to transitions in games! Keep the edge in the fast paced world of intense gaming competition.

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General Features:

Big Vision Means Big Enjoyment

17 “ LCD display provides a grand viewing experience for the ultimate viewing pleasure. With the perfect length and width ration of 16:10 for the screen, in addition also being capable of displaying DVD caliber images for your gaming and viewing pleasures. Enjoy the thrill of feeling like being right there in the midst of the action.

Unbelievable Visual:
The ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4850 3D Graphic Card with 512 MB VRAM

The best ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4850 3D Graphic Card with 512 MB VRAM delivers remarkable performance and an unsurpassed acceleration for spectacular gaming. Experience a more fluid, more detailed, more realistic 3D high-definition while playing the game or watching movie. Never a moment of delay to occur, feel the excitement!

MSI VIVID Image Enhancement Technology:

MSI’s exclusive VIVID LCD technology is able to display signals for better richness in colors. The colors from the monitors of the GT725 has an intense sense of levels, and you can even detect in the presence of the finest details. Whether you are playing a computer game, editing images, or watching movies, the images are presented as 3-dimensional as it possibly can gets.

Ultimate Listening Pleasure:

The GT725 is equipped with the theater-class bass speakers and four track audio recognized by Dolby® Surround Sound, so you can experience the complete audio dimensions while gaming. The bass speakers can provide the most shocking low-end effects for more realism in sound. The gamers will enjoy the total thrills and excitement of being inside the game while playing in the most mundane places.

Abundant Entertainment
High-Definition Multimedia Interface

Via a single cable, HDMI output connector not only enables 5Gbps data transfers, but also provides pristine transmission of high-definition digital video and digital audio up to 1080p resolution- allowing easy connection of HD enabled equipment such as HD monitor, HD TV, or HD projector for the best multimedia experience. With this impeccable video quality, the GT725 offers you the best way to enjoy your favorite movie titles and TV programs.

Featuring the Latest E- SATA Support:

GT725 supports the next-generation hard drives based on the Serial ATA (SATA) 3Gb/s storage specification, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. So, this external SATA allows easily sharing and transfer of entertainment content and digital media on external devices.

Built-In 2.0 Mega Pixel Webcam:

You can create amazing videos, shoot still photos or add live videos your instant messages while you chat.

Exclusive ECO Engine Power Management System:

The GT725 selects the brand new ECO Engine; the outstanding and unique power saving function by MSI Notebook, the power management function is aimed to extend the battery running time while performing different tasks.

Touch the ECO quick launch touch sensor repeatedly to switch among the 5 different modes – Gaming mode, Movie mode, Presentation mode, Office mode, and Turbo Battery mode while performing game applications, playing multimedia applications, performing presentation applications, dealing with office documentation tasks, or looking forward to minimizing the battery power consumption.

All you have to do is press lightly on the “ECO OFF” to return to the original setting.

Independent Numeric Keypad:

The GT725 has an independent numeric keypad to the right of the keyboard. Using this keypad is intuitive and requires no extra learning process on the part of the user.

Create a High-Quality, All-Around, Wireless Living Space:

802.11 b/g/n wireless networking standards and will get you on the Internet wirelessly anytime. Because of Bluetooth V2.0EDR wireless transmission capability, you can also create a high quality digital living space all around.

Effective Performance:

The GT725 features the latest Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology , which uses Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel PM45 Express Chipset, to deliver innovative mobile solutions with unrivaled processor performance, stunning new HD capabilities, great wireless connectivity, and long battery life for full blu-ray movie playback.

Intel, the Intel logo, Centrino and the Centrino logo, Intel Core and Core Inside, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

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MSI GT725 Packaging:

The MSI GT725 notebook is provided a black box which consists of a handle to carry it and a stylish red G Series logo being tagged in the front part of the box.

The MSI package also consists of branded msi company bag to carry your notebook and many other accessories or documents. It also consists of a separate partition to protect laptop and it mostly suits 17 inch laptop than a normal carrying bag.

The MSI box consists of a start guide for quick reference, warranty service manual, Windows manual, msi driver and utility CDs, LCD wipes, blank recovery DVDs and msi power adaptor for notebook. The real wonderful thing is msi provides a gaming mouse which comes along with the notebook.

The MSI gaming mouse is a 3200 DPI laser gaming mouse along with the software that helps you to record your own macros, interchangeable weights and 4 way scrolling feature.

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Outside View of MSI GT725 Notebook

MSI have provided a better options in terms of ports. You will find on the right hand side, a card reader, a PCI Express Card slot, USB and eSATA ports, audio jacks and an IEEE 1394 port. Similarly on the other side i.e left hand side, you have a Kensington lock slot, network ports, two more USB ports and a Blu-Ray ROM/DVD writer. On the back side of the notebook, you will find HDMI and VGA ports.

If you try to notice the battery on the back of the notebook is a bit pushed outside slightly. A 6 cell battery is also available which easily fits with the lines of the notebook. As per the size of the notebook, I feel that the 9 cell battery doesn’t provide a bad look and is good for the extra power it can provide for the notebook and it's components.

You can easily feel the quality of the design and engineering when you touch the notebook. When you try to fold the lid, you can feel a solid reassurance, the large 17 inch display refuses to flex when provided any pressure on.

If you have a look at keyboard section, the panel above the function keys attracts you. The row consists of touch sensitive buttons which provided several functions. The four keys which are placed on the left hand side consists of media keys which also includes volume control for which the F7 and F8 keys are available. The two touch keys available in the middle controls features such as ‘Eco’ and ‘Turbo’ functions. The Eco function consists of many preset brightness settings for several cases such as office work and movie playback. The turbo button provides you a quick overclock operation for your processor.

The touch panel is surrounded by an aluminium mesh grille which is a subpart of speaker system available on the notebook. These are the Dolby Home Theatre certified version and are actually best notebook speakers with low range of subwoofer and the mid to high range which provides you clear and crisp sound. The 5 speakers provides a surround sound effect and actually make a better difference in criterias such as movies and gaming.

The keyboard below the top panel consists of full size unit which also includes a num pad. The keys are a bit shaky when you press them which I noticed when i typed but no decent effect on my typing speed.

The touchpad provided in the centre in notebook is a better device. The surface is too and when you track it, it impresses you with it's accuracy.

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Inner View Of MSI GT725 Gaming Notebook:

Just below the bottom panel, you can easily view entire major components seated in appropriate locations.

MSI GT725 is Powered with 2.53Ghz 45nm Penryn core, Core 2 Duo P9500 as a processor. The processor is a great match for the notebook and a accurate choice. It provides a perfect balance between performance and battery section.

The notebook system consists of 2 sticks of DDR2-800 memory which is of 4 GB. The notebook system consists of 32 bit version of Windows Vista operating system.

The best feature about the notebook system is HD4850 video card, a great performer from testing and a big selling option for MSI GT725 notebook. The core and 512mb of GDDR3 memory can be clocked at 500MHz and 850Mhz.

Just in the corner is 500gb hard disk drive of 5,400 RPM for data storage.

To add further in primary components, the notebook provides features such as Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

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Technical Specification:

Processor & Cache: Intel Centrino 2 Processor

Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium

Chipsets: Intel PM45+ICH9M

System Memory: DDR2 667/800 up to 4GB

LCD Display: 17" TFT-LCD Display

Graphics & Video Module: ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4850 (Built-in DDR3 512MB)

Audio: HD Audio, 5 speakers

HDD: 160GB/250GB/320GB SATA (5400RPM)

Optical Drive: DVD Super Multi/ Blu-ray

Webcam: 2.0M

Card Reader: 4-in-1 Card Reader, SD/MMC/MS/MS Pro

Communication Port: Built-in Gigabit Ethernet LAN and Modem Module
Built-in 802.11b/g/n WLAN Card / Bluetooth V2.0+EDR (Bluetooth is optional)

I/O Port: Graphics Card Output (15-pin, D-Sub) X 1
USB2.0 Port X 3
Mic-in Port X 1
Headphone Output X 1
Modem Port X 1
LAN Port X 1
PCI Express Card X 1
eSATA (USB Combo) X 1
HDMI X 1
IEEE1394 Port X 1

AC Adaptor: 120W

Battery Pack & Life: Li-Ion 6/9 cells

Dimension & Weight: 395(L) X 278(D) X 26.5~35(H)mm
3.2KG (W/ Battery)

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Game Performance On MSI GT725 Gaming Notebook:

Call of Duty World at War game version was tested at the high resolution at 1680x1050.

Left 4 Dead game was tested on the maximum resolution at 1680x1050 with 8xMSAA and 16xAF.

Race Driver: Grid version game was played at high resolution 1680x1050 with full detail settings.

The performance explains the power of HD4850 video card with fast single GPU solution you can ever view in a notebook and thus makes the MSI GT725 a reliable option for gaming.

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Performance Of MSI GT725 Gaming Notebook:

During DVD playback, I adjusted the brightness in order to save battery life but not to a detailed level. When you use applications such as Microsoft Word, MSN Messenger and browsing the web, the notebook persuaded for 3 hours and 2 minutes out of the battery which is accepptable for a 17 inch machine with such components.

The GT725 notebook tries to keep the necessary components in controlled temperature and it works with very low noise from just single fan in the system.

As far as overclocking is concerned,the Turbo mode which helps you to increase the processor speed, I tried with ATI overdrive to increase the core and did memory clocking of HD4850 from 500/850 to 540/890.

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Final Verdict:

MSI GT725 provides a great complete package which is a combination of looks, performance, and outstanding structure quality.

You are provided with latest connectivity features such as 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, HDMI output and an eSATA port. Adding more is a Blu-Ray ROM/DVD writer.

The cost is extremely competitive with mainstream notebook manufacturers such as Dell and I think MSI have provded a great notebook in this price.