In previous Computex, MSI presented its new range of ultra thin notebook computers, X-Slim series. The machine is not more than 25 mm thick, with a design characterized by sleek profiles. Consumer product is aimed at people who want a portable, lightweight and small machine that still has a large screen.
Today’s test object is X-slim X600. The machine comes with a 15.6 inch wide screen in 16:9 formats. The solution lays in something special’s 1366 x 768 pixels.
The machine comes with a hard drive with capacities of 250, 320 or 500 GB. Some solid-state device is not among the choices, but 500 GB in normal form should satisfy the market, the device is aimed at. The machine is based on the Culver-platform, with an Intel Core 2 Solo U3500 1.4 GHz processor in the heart. It all comes also with 4 GB of internal memory and an ATI Radeon HD 4330 graphics adapter.
Furthermore, we mention that the machine comes with a memory card reader, battery of six or nine cells and a camera of 1.3 MP. The whole thing is wrapped in a will as the smallest battery weigh less than 2.1 kg.
Is this Apple’s new competitor? We take a closer look at the MSI X-slim X600!
In use
The machine does not come with a wealth of small additional features such as fingerprint reader, drip channels and multimedia keys. X600 is completely clean, you get only what you’re after, even if some of these features had been handsome. Apart from the keyboard and touchpad, includes not using the side of the machine any more than a button for starting the engine.
The ability to connect to a docking station is not present. It is perhaps not surprising; the majority of such contacts would likely have gone through the keyboard on the X600. Moreover, we point out that the machine has a lot of air holes on the underside of the machine. Are you with your computer in bed, the couch, on the thighs or other soft surface, these become clogged well again. Since the holes on the bottom constitute a large portion of the total air holes, we believe that these holes will affect the machine’s temperature significantly.
The machine is relatively broad, so a full keyboard has been placed. The buttons sit right, but most have "normal" size. Right shift is somewhat small, while his twin brother on the left side has full size. Any abnormalities that we see are that more of the function buttons, which is activated via the FN key, is located around the arrow keys. They often only as an option on the F-keys, but here are the words moved a little. The keys are shaped in a more ergonomic way compared with conventional keyboards. The buttons are curved slightly towards the user, and the "trough" is not in the center of the keys. According to MSI, this key is as follows fingertips, and thus reducing the stress in the outer joints.
Touchpad consists of exactly the same material as the rest of the machine’s surface. It feels as if you take on the same material, but the point surface is a small depressed area. Surface supports the use of two fingers. You can enlarge everything navigating by dragging two fingers, respectively, to and from each other. By drawing half circle turn.
Connectivity
On the computer’s right side, we find a small card reader. This takes respectively formats SD, SDHC and MMC. Moreover, we find a mic and a headset port. Two of the computer’s USB connector is located here. We have previously commented that the contacts on the right side of notebook computers is often a disadvantage, because the cables sticking out here often comes into conflict with the remote mouse pointers. This is also the case for MSI, but how large this practical problem is completely up to you to consider.
On the platform’s left side, we find a handy, but rarely Port: eSATA. More and more hard drives that can be used externally are now offering this technology as a data transfer. At the same time also works exactly the same port as a USB connection. HDMI is also in place, along with D-Sub. A network connection shows their presence, whether it’s built 802.11n network would not keep for you.
The remaining side of the machine has no contacts. Front page contains only a series of indication light. All of the computer’s side edges, as well as the back of the computer and monitor, have received a number of air holes. The other pages have no contacts, just a vent. We will say that MSI has been joined by the need of the connections on the machine. If it is something we would have wanted us so it must be DVI. HDMI is correct in place, so missed is not very large.
At the top of the screen we find a small web camera. This has a resolution of 1.3 megapixels. An integrated microphone is also in place.
Screen
The screen that sits in the X-slim X600 has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels on its 15.6-inch wide screen. The format is 16:6, and the whole thing is lit by LEDs.
Under normal use the experience we do not display as particularly bright, but for us it is not a problem. The contrasts are good, and color fill not good enough. A little more firepower at maximum brightness had not done anything, so could the users themselves rather have this crude down afterwards.
Specification
Conclusion
At the end of the road we do not know quite where to place the MSI X-slim X600. It is not unique small; it’s just a bit thin. It is also not particularly quick to be a machine in this class. Throw you something extra hundred grams, you can get a machine with better performance, an optical device at the same price.
The performance itself, we are happy with, but we’re not impressed. Culver platform is best suited for machines with 12, 13 and 14", not for the layer that X600 is in.
As is very well, is battery life. With the brightness set to the maximum, working machine in Mobile Mark 2007 in just a little more than 3 hours. Lowering the brightness to the minimum, you’ll go 4.5 hours of use. During temperature testing machine comes out well, but it does however not seem that it can handle larger loads especially well.
MSI X-Slim X600 is priced at approximately Rs. 43,810. We will review the price as completely acceptable, but we are not satisfied. As we have said about performance, you will definitely get more performance for your money by buying a slightly thicker and heavier machine. Then you also have the option to make an optical device, and perhaps a little sharp screen. Although the noise level and the temperature may go up slightly, we do not particularly much unique about this machine compared to some 13"- as well as a much wider screen.
Pros
- Thin
- Nice design
- Good battery life
Cons
- Not a particularly good performance
- Not a particularly good price
where can i purchase this in singapore?