August 5, 2009

Total Mobile Computing in A Neat Form
By Billy Joe I. Allardo
Published in the May 2009 print edition of PC World Philippines

MSI PX200
P59,500
www.msi.com

While most notebooks tagged as desktop substitutes feature large screen sizes that give users a better view of the documents or images they are working on, the MSI PX200 goes against the grain with its form factor. At 12.1 inches, it packs in components that you’d normally see inside a full-fledged desktop PC and sometimes lacking in some bigger notebook PCs. The unit features an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a 256MB ATI Radeon HD 3450 GDDR3 discrete graphics chip, with 4GB of memory components and a 320GB hard drive.

What is more important is that, with these specs given and its size in mind, the MSI PX200 stays true to the mobile computing concept. It’s easy to pack, brought about by its slim profile and a total weight that amount to only 1.8kgs.

Underneath the matte black cover is a modish interface of gray and black bezels. In between the display and the keyboard is a glossy patterned function panel that houses the power button, as well as the Wi-Fi and camera shortcuts keys. It also harbors the Eco Engine Power Management System (EEPMS) knob that enables switching through different power modes, directly affecting battery life and the overall performance consequently. EEPMS figures well for users who need to go around a particular area but needs to bring along the notebook PC with them, giving them relief from also carrying the charging pack, which is a tad bulky and heavy.

Meanwhile, the keyboard is tactile and the size of the keys is good, at least for this writer. A slightly depressed frame marks where the touchpad area is, while its buttons appear like embossed regions of the lustrous gray shell. Unfortunately, the latter is a bit stiff and somewhat unresponsive at times. In between the touchpad buttons is a fingerprint reader that provides extra security.

Theer are only two USB ports available, which should be easily fixed with the addition of a cheap USB hub. With its HDMI port, the MSI PX200 can connect to consumer electronic devices that use the mentioned standard, such as video game consoles and audio/video receivers. This notebook PC can also make use of eSATA devices, despite the scant number of devices available that use it.

The glaring downside with the MSI PX200 is the heat it tends to generate. This is perhaps the result of it being compact, with not enough room for the heat to circulate and the scarce space allotted for its cooling vents and pipes. The sound quality via the built-in speakers isn’t that good but is made up for by the display. Despite its size, it was able to come up with crisp images and smooth video, the product of having a discrete graphics chip. The ATI Mobility Radeon HD3450 GDDR3 also enables it to use its total memory solely on data processing, which in turn translates to speedier transition among files and tasks.

The kit we got has a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor and a hefty 4GB 800MHz DDR2 memory, as well as a spacious 320GB hard drive. These parts, along with abovementioned graphics chip, is clearly up to the task of running even a number of resource-hungry applications such as the Adobe Creative Suite and games like Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts. Adding a cooling dock to solve the heat issue and a USB hub to enable support for more USB devices are perhaps key things to do in order to fully utilize this notebook PC, which is well-above other desktop replacements and ultra-mobile PCs when it comes to specs, performance and, most importantly, price.