MSI X-Slim X600 Pro tweaks the 15.6-inch thinsanity formula

The last time we bumped into MSI's 15.6-inch X-Slim X600 we were unimpressed with the build quality -- it just seemed like too much plastic in too thin of a form factor to be trusted. Well, the X-Slim X600 Pro seems to have addressed some of the perceived quality issues, with a new scratch-resistant surface and silver inlays, but we'll have to play with one before we really know if these refinements are merely skin deep. The largest hardware tweak is the new chiclet keyboard, while inside the laptop has scored "the latest" Intel Core 2 Duo CULV processor, matched with the same ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 graphics from last time. There's no word on price or availability, but we're sure we'll be seeing and hearing more at CES.

[avengeryarr Posted Dec 13th 2009 10:19PM]

Since I don't see how this is news worthy, I'll just say what is on everyone's mind.

OMFG DID YOU SEE THE SEASON FINALE OF DEXTER?

[yulebellow Posted Dec 13th 2009 10:19PM]

wtf? this isn't a Google phone...

[AndroidDoesnt Posted Dec 13th 2009 11:13PM]

@yulebellow Yeah really, you would think those clunky things are the second coming or Engadget has stock. But it's a hit with the pre-pubescent teens. That's Engadget's "staff" and their target demographic.

MSI makes crap btw.

That is all.

[yulebellow Posted Dec 13th 2009 11:30PM]

@AndroidDoesnt

*I in no way endorse anything that AndroidDoesnt says in reply to my comments

[Mr Oos Posted Dec 13th 2009 10:21PM]

Well, it's nice looking, but it'll have to have some sort of metal chassis to hold up. With a 15.6" screen, it's pretty wide, and if they're trying to go ultra-thin, an all plastic frame won't cut it.

One of the worst feelings is picking up a notebook one-handed, from the palm rest area, and feeling/seeing it flex.

[dodo Posted Dec 13th 2009 10:38PM]

@Mr Oos
And how do you know it does? Since it's so light, maybe the plastic is hard enough so it doesn't flex.

[Mr Oos Posted Dec 13th 2009 10:43PM]

@dodo

Pretty sure I said nothing to the effect that I knew, or did not know, if it does. I'm basing my opinion off of experience with similarly designed models, some with all plastic frames, others with aluminum/etc.

What are you, some kind of dodo?

[dodo Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:05AM]

You're right Oos, you said nothing about this particular laptop, apologies. But still, I don't think that at this weight flex could be a problem. Actually, you never know what to expect from msi ... the last model had tape all over the mother board.

[Mr Oos Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:50AM]

@dodo

You know I made the same observation a while back, regarding the motherboard tape issue, and some commenters replied that this was a fairly standard practice, and said nothing about quality. However, I'm pretty sure they were just blindly defending products they bought. Seems cheap to me :|

[Oli D Posted Dec 14th 2009 2:43AM]

@Mr Oos
Try picking up the original Plastic Macbook with a dvd in the drive.
It sounds like your chainsawing a hamster.

[Avaviel Posted Dec 13th 2009 10:40PM]

Hm. I'm on the x600 now, and I like it. Wonder if I can upgrade the processor? Hm.

[Wildman Posted Dec 13th 2009 10:48PM]

@Avaviel

how's the graphics performance?

[Avaviel Posted Dec 13th 2009 11:03PM]

@Wildman I like. But I'm also treating it like an oversized premium netbook, not as a desktop replacement. It plays HULU fine, and older games fine. But... I play Homeworld: cataclysm and Star Trek Armada 2. Runs Inkscape fine, as long as I only blur when I need to export it (slows to a crawl)

Over all, I love this laptop.

[thescreensavers Posted Dec 13th 2009 10:48PM]

MSI Notebooks are utter crap. There build quality is horrid, and poorly designed heat dispassion. I would never ever buy another MSI Laptop again. Fuu them

[Wildman Posted Dec 13th 2009 10:49PM]

@(Unverified)
my wind u100 works just fine, and other than the scratch-magnet lid i wouldn't trade any of it for any netbooks of its generation.

[thescreensavers Posted Dec 13th 2009 11:45PM]

@Wildman

Maybe that Wind was actually disgined properly.

I had an MSI-1036: it had horrible over heating issues, locking up issues, stuff constantly breaking, and finally the hinge ripped through the casing, so now its a paper weight. Its totally useless now with only 1 year of use

my bro has a MSI 1029- Same thing over heating issues, Memory on the board went bad 3 times causing it not to boot(Not ram) LCD would not work..ect

My friend has the 1013- This one did not have heat issues, but it did have issues with CD-Rom breaking all the time, He had to RMA the laptop 2 times, once due to the mobo just dieing and another when the LCD failed to power on.

Who knows what they put in those laptops, and I would never trust them again. I type this on my Toshiab A300 which is one year old and has never missed a beat.

[sporx Posted Dec 13th 2009 11:53PM]

@dude wit the car in his pic

sounds to me like your just rough on laptops..hinges ripping through cases?! really? that aint gonna happen by simply lifting up the lid..
ill admit there older laptops were a bit more shaky than there newer stuff, theybe become an excellent computer maker in my opinion. the msi u100 was on of the best of its generation, the 1650 lineup are all amazing, along with the 17 incher version.
Pick any company you want, they all had there crappy lineup of computers at one point or another, but msi atm has some nice stuff out today.

[sporx Posted Dec 13th 2009 11:05PM]

you apparently haven't checked out their gaming focused laptops like the msi 1651 for example. show me another 15 inch laptop that matches its amazing build quality, awesome performance, and that can be had for under 1000, that still runs cool and doesnt look like a cheap kids toy. Not to mention one that matches its performance, that can still get 4 hours of battery life.

[CJisohsocool Posted Dec 13th 2009 11:09PM]

That looks like the biggest fingerprint magnet ever. COME ON PEOPLE. GLOSSY IS NOT GOOD.

[Wildman Posted Dec 13th 2009 11:27PM]

@CJisohsocool

+10

[slipdisc Posted Dec 14th 2009 1:31AM]

@CJisohsocool No one is listening.

[Avaviel Posted Dec 14th 2009 2:04AM]

@CJisohsocool

white/silver glossy isn't bad. Avoid black glossy.

[CJisohsocool Posted Dec 14th 2009 3:37AM]

@Avaviel
Yeah your right White glossy is fine, but this whole "Piano Black" gloss needs to srsly go.

[TareG Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:31AM]

The ATI Mobility Radeon 4330 HD could very well be the only graphics card worse than Intel's integrated graphics.

[Oli D Posted Dec 14th 2009 2:48AM]

@TareG

Intel Graphics GMA 500 scores 137 in 3D Mark
ATI Mobility Raedon 4330 HD scores 4827

And no, the lower score isnt the better scrore.

[TareG Posted Dec 14th 2009 2:52AM]

@Oli D
sorry I forgot to add : /end sarcasm.

Seriously, 18 fps on Crysis set on low, is within Intel range.

[bjsguess Posted Dec 14th 2009 1:15AM]

I'm confused - was the original Slim X600 poorly built or did it just feel poorly built? One is an issue and the other is simply a subjective opinion about material choice.