[section_title title=”MSI Gaming Specifics”] MSI gaming Specifics
That screen
Even in a long list of impressive hardware, it’s hard to argue against the GT60’s display being the headline grabbing feature. Whereas the OEM and hardware manufacturers have hit a feature wall in the other component departments, MSI’s inclusion of the 3K display goes into a league of their own relative to the competition.
By embarking on a somewhat academic investigation I’ve tried to grab some pictures of the screen to show off just how sharp it is. The top shot of the clock has been cropped to match the same size as it was physically on the laptop itself, and as you can see, the text is razor sharp even at 150% scaling.
For a fullsize image of above is here so you can truly appreciate the clarity.
Borderlands 2 is an extremely aliased (“jaggy”) game without FXAA, but FXAA has a negative impact on the image as a whole as it is only an intelligent blur and not a proper anti-aliasing technique. If you open up the fullsize image in a new tab, you can see on the full size image of the game hardly has any jaggies at all as well as not sacrificing sharpness on the UI elements of the game, textures, effects and more.
MSI’s Gaming Solution
Part of the one two punch where software is concerned with MSI’s new gaming laptops is the partnership with SteelSeries to provide a gaming keyboard and/or solution. The inclusion of SteelSeries’ ‘SteelSeries Engine’ software means that customers have the ability to customise the keyboard on the GT60 much the same way they could a dedicated SterelSeries keyboard.
Below is a quick look at what are essentially the macro assignment and creation area as well as an overall visualisation of the SSE software. The W key has been selected in the image and of course, you can assign a different letter, function or even application launch shortcut much the same way you can on most gaming keyboards and relevant software.
Although I didn’t photograph it due to the difficulty in capturing the light, the SSE software is where you can customise the LED colour scheme. The colour scheme can also be tied to ‘layer’ where the layer is essentially a different set of key settings and macro options and you can have up to four of these settings meaning you’re covered for FPS games then swap to a different layer if you want to play RTS and so on.
The Dragon Gaming Center is another software solution MSI is hoping will continue the console-like set it and forget it experience they’re looking to push. Within the Dragon software you had access to various utilities and options in one place that is meant to save the end user from scouring the web for freeware instead.
The flag bearer of the Dragon center is the Instant Play tab that offers up a shortcut to be assigned to a given key on the laptop. Rather than have to go into your program folders and scour your desktop for your choice application, you press the ‘P1’ button and the program will start up. It’s a nice touch that will be handy for anything you need to fire up regularly.
