After making a quick show and tell at Computex back in June, MSI has now released what's claimed to be the world's first 3K gaming laptop. The 15.6-inch GT60 features a 4th generation Core i7 processor, GeForce graphics, combined SSD/HDD storage and customizable color backlighting for the keyboard for after hours gaming.
There's no disguising the benefits that crisp, detailed graphics can offer mobile gamers. Being able to pick out an otherwise blurry, pixelated enemy lurking in the shadows could mean virtual life or death. If the difference in image clarity between the once ubiquitous 1366 x 768 screen and a Full HD panel is anything to go by, the 15.6-inch, 2880 x 1620 resolution (3K) anti-reflective display of MSI's new GT60 gaming laptop could well prove quite the eye opener.
Running Windows 8, the GT60 2OD-261US sports a Core i7-4700MQ processor on a HM87 chipset that can run up to 3.4 GHz with Turbo Boost technology. System support is provided by a storage team comprising a 128 GB SSD and a 1 TB HDD spinning at 7200 RPM, and 16 GB of (1600 MHz) DDR3L RAM. An Nvidia GeForce GTX 780M GPU with 4 GB of dedicated graphics memory powers the onscreen action, and support for Matrix Display technology allows for the connection of up to three external displays for more immersive gaming.
Wireless connectivity comes in the shape of Killer DoubleShot technology, made up of N1202 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, E2200 Game Networking LAN, and Bluetooth. The physical spread includes a media card reader, three USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI 1.4 and two mini DisplayPorts. An included Blu-ray reader looks after the supply of disc-based entertainment.
The 1.77-inch (4.5 cm) thick, 7.7 lb (3.5 kg) GT60 offers Creative SoundBlaster audio through Dynaudio speakers and a built-in subwoofer, and there's an independent headphone amp featured, too. If your session continues after daylight fades, the SteelSeries backlit keyboard with programmable color zones should help light the way. And while the game heats up, CoolerBoost 2 technology should help keep the laptop quietly cool.
The GT60 gaming laptop is available now for US$2,199.99.
For users who like the look of the GT60's specs, but are not particularly taken by the game-oriented setup, MSI has also launched a workstation version of the notebook. The GT60 2OKWS-278US is almost identical to its Series sibling, but runs Windows 7 Professional and has been optimized for applications like Adobe's Creative Suite 6, AutoDesk, and SolidWorks.
Other subtle differences between the two models include an Nvidia Quadro K3100M, a Blu-ray burner and one less USB 2.0 port. This version has been given a $2,799.99 price tag.
Though the GT60 workstation's display resolution is impressive, there are other models currently (or soon to be) available that manage to pack in more display pixels. Notable examples include Dell's XPS 15, the HP ENVY TouchSmart 14, and Samsung's ATIV Book 9. Sharp has already started shipping samples of a new 15.6-inch IGZO display panel to manufacturers, suggesting that the new year's resolution could well be 4K.
Product pages: GT60 gaming laptop, GT60 mobile workstation
mobile 780 might struggle for the latter so we might have to wait for Nvidia next gen 2014 to pick up the slack for true 4k gaming laptops.