Preview: MSI GS65 for Gamers as well as Professionals

What’s better than a gaming laptop designed not only for gamers, but also for professionals? MSI GS65 seems to be the best answer. Apart from that, it seems that MSI has indeed designed a scenario where users will get a laptop device that is designed in a calm way, while not leaving the characteristics of a gaming laptop.

We call it calm because it looks minimalist and elegant, something that seems to be interesting when brought to a business meeting. Thus, the category that must be pinned on the MSI GS65 becomes ambiguous. Is this a gaming laptop or a business laptop? Indeed, MSI still embeds the dragon logo on the lid, but the keyboard is now present in an unusual way: it is not a translucent keyboard with translucent key, but rather looks like a normal keyboard. MSI Gs65 finally comes as a device with a keyboard where each key on it will be more difficult to see in low light conditions.

Brief specifications

CPU	Intel 8^th Gene. Processor + HM370
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (Max-Q)/1060
Screen	FHD 144Hz/7ms IPS-level Thin Bezel (72% NTSC)
Memory	DDR4-2400/2666 SO-DIMM x2 (Max 32GB)

*Disclaimer: the specifications above may vary by distributor or seller.

Design and Screen

The MSI GS65 is positioned as a replacement for the GS63, and comes with a Full HD IPS display. There is also an option for a 4K panel. For the FHD panel, the 144Hz frequency is very capable for gamers. In addition, the screen can be folded up to 180 degrees and offers a webcam feature at the top of the bezel.

Priority is given to MSI’s battery life, which this time buried an 82-watt-hour battery. And this is an improvement over its older sibling, the GS63VR which comes with a 62-watt-hour battery. With a larger battery capacity, MSI says that the GS65 only weighs about 1.8 kilograms, which is much lighter than the GS63 at 2.2 kilograms.

Initial assessment

An improved display panel, coupled with an 8th generation Intel processor and a much faster 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD, makes the MSI GS65 promising in terms of performance. If you add another $200, you’ll get a device with an additional GTX1070 Max-Q.