TECHBAROS

MSI CX420 Review

MSI laptop comes with a class back office ‘plus-plus’. Though not positioned as a multimedia laptop, but MSI CX420 is capable of working like a laptop gaming and entertainment.

Armed with operating system Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit), the laptop is equipped with new brains by Intel Core namely I3. In addition, MSI CX420 also has multiple personalities. Personality is meant here is the graphics-swap technology called ‘Exclusive 3D Boost Technology’.

With two shortcut buttons above the keyboard, MSI CX420 can turn into an armed HD 4570 graphics AMD. If users want to save power, change it to the internal graphics Intel GMA HD. Very practical.

Design: Overview of Classical Similar Laptops

When you first remove it from the laptop boxes, in terms of our views directly reminded of the classic laptops Toshiba Satellite or Asus for users of office, in the era of Windows XP.

Why? The reason is a combination of lower body silver in color and black on top to monitor body feels a bit old-school. Fortunately the laptop was wrapped in a slightly glossy materials cover design “Old design”. Also this laptop also has a fairly comfortable keyboard Chiclets.

Just like other Chiclets product, CX420 MSI keyboard is not less soft when our fingers danced over the keyboard. Slightly different design on the FN key to adjust brightness and volume, which is located in the direction buttons (not in the ranks of ‘F’ on the numeric keypad).

Then for the design of the touchpad, it looks mixed with the motive of the laptop body whose surface a little rough. Below this may be a silver-colored button click. In addition, this laptop monitors can bend up to 180 degrees. Similar to Lenovo‘s ThinkPad design.

When tested, it seems there are no obstacles in that section. Combination responsive touchpad and click run when used for browsing, editing photos, or light gaming.

‘Dual Personality’ Keys

One of the most interesting designs of MSI CX420 is the ‘dual personality’. Exclusive 3D feature button called Boost Technology, the MSI seems to find by putting them next to the power button.

With this composition, the users easily switch graphics modes according to their needs. We tested the 3D mode while watching a full HD movie format. When finished, simply press the logo button ‘batteries’. Laptops also ready to be used for activities such as typing and browsing, which is more power saving. Practical is not it?

Performance

Basically, the MSI CX420 is a laptop aimed at office workers. Armed with an Intel Core I3 internal plus HD Intel GMA graphics alone, this laptop has more than enough, when used for office and browsing.

But armed with MSI ATI Radeon HD 5470 (1GB/64bit). With this graphic, MSI CX420 can already play a class game Mass Effect 2, but with a setting resolution of 1024×600. When the display mode is changed to 720p game – let alone full HD -, it seems this laptop has been unable invited ‘run’. Fps even shows number fewer than 20.

For the affairs of HD movies, this laptop can run the Transformer II full HD movies with smooth and uneventful, unfortunately the whole performances with AMD’s graphics are adequate draining the battery.

Audio, Thermal, and Battery

Audio Affairs, MSI CX420 was not too satisfactory. Despite bearing the logo of SRS Premium Sound, sound seems to come out of the speakers seemed shrill.

We used to listen to format. Mp3 rhythmic jazz and music 8-bit, MSICX420 sounded sluggish. Bass was not felt. A bit disappointing really. For the music business, the better the user wearing headphones.

Not only that, when we test activity for 3 hours, the laptop is starting to feel the heat. Right on the right side of body a laptop, there is circulation of air underneath the warm spray as well. Meanwhile the left side of the laptop feels colder.

It seems the air circulation in this laptop is less prevalent. As if the heat comes out is only focused on certain parts alone.

For the battery problem, when tested that with Battery Mark 1.1 Imtec fast mode, this laptop has a resistance of 2 hours 40 minutes. While watching a movie when tested for full HD, this laptop can survive with a time of 1:08:42 (98% of battery condition).

From the test results, when using the 3D mode (ATI HD 5470) in fact this is very wasteful laptop batteries. Our unfinished movie Transformer II full HD, this laptop is dead ahead.

Conclusion:

With Intel Core I3, plus ‘multiple personality’ graphic, so we recommend this laptop to have an office employee class, which hooked for-game and multimedia light.

Armed with the above graphic, this laptop can cut off standard PC games today, though with minimal resolution. Unfortunately these briliant graphics capabilities, coupled with the grandeur not sound generated, as well as battery performance that is not durable.

Priced for USD$ 852, I think this product is an attractive alternative, given its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:
+ ‘Multiple Personality’
+ Can play games in a minimalist standard

Disadvantages:
- Shrill voice
- Batteries sluggish
- The heat is uneven

General Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core I3 (2.13 GHz)
- OS: Windows 7th Home Premium (32-bit)
- GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 (1GB) / Intel GMA HD
- Display: 14 “1366×768 HD (16:9)
- RAM Memory: 2GB
- Battery: 6-cell
- Weight: 2.2 kg
- I / O: 3 USB, Card reader 4-in-1, VGA, HDMI, e-SATA, audio jack, LAN
- Storage: 320GB
- Price: USD $ 852

Benchmark Results:

PC Mark Vantage: 4010
- Memories Suite: 2529
- TV and movies suites: 3091
- Gaming Suite: 3059
- Music Suite: 3796
- Communication Suite: 3474
- Productivity Suite: 3393
- HDD test suite: 2386

3D Mark 06 (HD 5470): 3677
- SM2.0: 1232
- HDR/SM3.0: 1543
- CPU: 2225

Windows 7 Performance Base Score:

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