MSI PS63 Modern

[1BadManVan]

This may finally be the laptop that checks off all the boxes for me. Its thin and lightweight, great build quality from the initial reviews, 16 hour battery life with an option gtx 1050 ti card. The cpu is the i7-8565u which for my needs will be very fast. 15.6” screen with thin bezels, 100% sRGB IPS panel, Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 USB port for your phone etc..

Has anyone checked this one out? Was announced at CES and looks to be a very promising laptop. I been eyeing up the MateBook x pro but the MX150 was a bit too weak for me even for causal gaming, the XPS 15 is still an option as it has the same graphics card but a more powerful H series cpu. The issue is, it’s heavier and thicker and that cpu eats up a lot more battery life which I don’t do any heavy editing or rendering so overkill for my own needs

The i7 u series chip and a more powerful Nvidia gpu seems to be a hard combo to find but right up my alley for a casual user that wants the portability with the power to do some on the go gaming and browsing.

 

[1BadManVan]

 

[maflynn]

Its an interesting laptop on a number of fronts. I don't think for me, I'd want a U processor, but I am intrigued by the matching of a 1050-Ti Max-Q with the U processor.

I'd say MSI would have knocked it out of the park, had they included Thunderbolt, USB-C charging.

 

[SDColorado]

Seems like a similar product would also be the Surface Book 2, which also mates an i7 U processor, with a fairly powerful GPU. In Microsofts case a GTX 1060 discrete GPU w/6GB GDDR5 on the 15". Both lack TB3, something hopefully MS addresses with the Surface Book 3 this October.

 

[maflynn]

Both lack TB3, something hopefully MS addresses

Microsoft seems so resistant to using current ports, I don't get it.

 

[1BadManVan]

Seems like a similar product would also be the Surface Book 2, which also mates an i7 U processor, with a fairly powerful GPU. In Microsofts case a GTX 1060 discrete GPU w/6GB GDDR5 on the 15". Both lack TB3, something hopefully MS addresses with the Surface Book 3 this October.

And the surface book paired with that gpu is a pretty powerful setup, despite using a intel U series processor which is why this msi model is very intruiging to me.

Thunderbolt 3 isn’t a deal breaker for.

My only concern is future proofing with that processor.

 

[SDColorado]

Microsoft seems so resistant to using current ports, I don't get it.

Panos Panay addressed that a couple of years ago. I guess it is a difference in philosophy, but he felt that there was still much market confusion over USB-C at the time and that it created confusion for the average customer. While I may not agree, I can see his point.

Looking at some of the computers sold today, some include USB-C 3.1 Gen. 1, USB-C 3.1 Gen. 2, USB-C 3.1 Gen. 2 with DisplayPort and power delivery (Asus), USB 3.1 Gen 2 with DisplayPort 2.1 (also Asus), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Thunderbolt 3)

Additionally, there are different Thunderbolt 3 controllers, Eagle Ridge only has two channels, Light Ridge 4, then there are questions about which cables you need etc.

It seems Microsoft is waiting it out until the dust settles and the "standard" becomes more standard. But perhaps the rumors will prove to be true and Surface Book 3 will finally include a USC-C Thunderbolt 3 port.

And the surface book paired with that gpu is a pretty powerful setup, despite using a intel U series processor which is why this msi model is very intruiging to me.

Thunderbolt 3 isn’t a deal breaker for.

My only concern is future proofing with that processor.

If you really want to future proof and you can hold out until October, Surface Book 3 rumors indicate it will have a CPU update to either Whiskey Lake or Ice Lake and a GPU update to GTX 2060 for the 15" model. Also rumored is Thunderbolt 3 and possible 4K display.

 

[maflynn]

Panos Panay addressed that a couple of years ago. I guess it is a difference in philosophy, but he felt that there was still much market confusion over USB-C at the time and that it created confusion for the average customer. While I may not agree, I can see his point.

My perspective is that you're paying a premium for a surface device, yet that surface device typically is underspec'ed to some degree, whether we're talking about the first gen surface studio with a 5400 rpm drive, or the lac of USB-C.

MS (like Apple) is billing themselves as a premium product but they're not using premium components imo.

 

[1BadManVan]

Panos Panay addressed that a couple of years ago. I guess it is a difference in philosophy, but he felt that there was still much market confusion over USB-C at the time and that it created confusion for the average customer. While I may not agree, I can see his point.

Looking at some of the computers sold today, some include USB-C 3.1 Gen. 1, USB-C 3.1 Gen. 2, USB-C 3.1 Gen. 2 with DisplayPort and power delivery (Asus), USB 3.1 Gen 2 with DisplayPort 2.1 (also Asus), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Thunderbolt 3)

Additionally, there are different Thunderbolt 3 controllers, Eagle Ridge only has two channels, Light Ridge 4, then there are questions about which cables you need etc.

It seems Microsoft is waiting it out until the dust settles and the "standard" becomes more standard. But perhaps the rumors will prove to be true and Surface Book 3 will finally include a USC-C Thunderbolt 3 port.



If you really want to future proof and you can hold out until October, Surface Book 3 rumors indicate it will have a CPU update to either Whiskey Lake or Ice Lake and a GPU update to GTX 2060 for the 15" model. Also rumored is Thunderbolt 3 and possible 4K display.

They would need to redesign the hinge to make me consider it, not portable enough for me. Plus the surface book premium is quite high

 

[SDColorado]

They would need to redesign the hinge to make me consider it, not portable enough for me. Plus the surface book premium is quite high

I tried one for awhile. Never had any issue with the hinge, but I can understand how some folks would. Lack of TB3 was the main thing for me.

 

[1BadManVan]

I tried one for awhile. Never had any issue with the hinge, but I can understand how some folks would. Lack of TB3 was the main thing for me.

My laptop will be going in and out of a work bag between books and crap. So worried with that gap with the hinge on the surface book could be a weak point.

Hard line to walk. I work for the railroad so gone away for a day or two at a time. So the portability is definitely a top of the list followed by being able to do some gaming while away

 

[kazmac]

I can see both pros and cons for USB-C. I do hope the Surface Book 3 has it. The Asus StudioBook S will have at least one USB-C that is Thunderbolt compatible.

As far as MSI, I was looking at one their white premium models and decided to go Surface Laptop 2 instead (to start with), as I realized I do not need that power right now. When I am ready for more power, it may be the SB3 or Asus non-Xeon StudioBook S.

 

[1BadManVan]

It’s nice that they atleast are offering some more choices for portable power house laptops now. I went years using desktops but now with 3 kids and a job that keeps me away from home half the week, the portability is a huge deal now for me. My majority of free time to play will be when I’m away at work at the bunkhouse to wait for the next train back
[doublepost=1548905870][/doublepost]A gyx 1060 max-q would have been this perfect

But the 1050ti non max-q option is fairly close