MSI Intros New Gaming Laptop And Dock For Discrete GPU

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MSI introduced the GS30 Shadow, the company's newest gaming notebook that packs the latest fourth generation Core i7 processor and a 13.3-inch screen. MSI also introduced a "GamingDock" built for the GS30 Shadow that houses a discrete graphics card. This dock will be released in January 2015, and the laptop is expected to launch in the USA sometime before that.

The laptop include the previously mentioned 13.3-inch anti-glare screen, which has a 2560 x 1440 resolution. There's the Core i7 processor with Iris Pro graphics (MSI didn't specify the model number), up to 16 GB of DDR3L memory (up to 1600 MHz), two M.2 SSDs with Super Raid and an HD webcam capable of 30 frames per second at 720p.

The new gaming laptop also includes a backlit keyboard, two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader, an HDMI 1.4b port, gigabit Ethernet and Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. There's also a microphone and headphone jack and a built-in 4-cell Li-ion battery. The laptop weighs 2.86 pounds and measures a super-slim 0.78 inches in height.

"The amazing graphics powered by Intel Iris Pro is designed and targeted to the majority [of] gaming titles and the performance is more than double while compared with previous generation," the press release said. "With support to DX11.1, OpenCL 1.2, OpenGL 4.0 and enhanced 4k x 2k, the GS30 Shadow sets the new benchmark for gaming notebooks and makes every user gaming everywhere."

According to the announcement, the GamingDock doesn't come with a pre-mounted desktop graphics card; that's for the customer to buy and install. The company didn't provide specs, but there appears to be a speaker on each side, as well as USB ports. The company also hinted at the possibility that other laptops could use this dock, as well. Presumably, the main connection between the dock and laptop will be through USB 3.0.

At press time, MSI hadn't provided any pricing info, but we've reached out to the company for more answers, particularly about the GameDock.

Follow Kevin Parrish @exfileme. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

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29 Comments Comment from the forums
  • soldier44
    Ty for finally moving away from 1080p displays in gaming laptops.
    Reply
  • TheMentalist
    Ty for finally moving away from 1080p displays in gaming laptops.

    Why? 1080p is more than enough, especially on screens smaller than 21". This thing is freaking 13 inches. Even 720p would be enough.

    Going with lower resolutions reduces battery consumption and improves performance in games.
    Reply
  • TechyInAZ
    nice, I've always loved dockable laptops, only bummer about that is their isn't enough of them.
    Reply
  • pierrerock
    This box is a little bit too big for my taste.
    Reply
  • SirKnobsworth
    Discrete graphics over USB? Forgive me for being a little skeptical...
    Reply
  • DarkSable
    This box is a little bit too big for my taste.

    I agree. So we buy one and GUT IT. :3

    Sir Knobsworth has a fair point that even on USB 3.0 though, that's going to be a bottleneck for discrete graphics that can power 1440p.



    As for the whole resolution issue...
    I'm on soldier 44's side simply because so so so many small laptops still have ridiculously tiny screen resolutions. 1080p? Fine. 1440p? Ideal. 4K seems kind of silly as of yet.

    @ The Mentalist:
    No. Just no. When was the last time you used a 720p laptop? I have a netbook with that resolution, and it's freaking miserable. It breaks things.

    If a 5" phone brags about a 1080p screen, then a 14" laptop can have one, when that's the industry standard and resolutions too far below it break all sorts of various programs' UI.

    Yes, ridiculous resolutions like what are on the Razor Blade are nothing but battery drainers, but 1440p would be wonderful to have as a new 'standard option' on laptops.
    Reply
  • DarkSable
    Discrete graphics over USB? Forgive me for being a little skeptical...

    Also, while I agree with you, I just re-read the article, and it doesn't say anywhere that it actually is connecting through USB, just that it has them on the hub.

    It could well be using thunderbolt or displayport... or even one of the funky slot/card options.
    Reply
  • Merry_Blind
    Ty for finally moving away from 1080p displays in gaming laptops.

    Why? 1080p is more than enough, especially on screens smaller than 21". This thing is freaking 13 inches. Even 720p would be enough.

    Going with lower resolutions reduces battery consumption and improves performance in games.

    Yes! I completely agree.
    Reply
  • ferooxidan
    a very nice way to rob your consumer money. make a 13.3" laptop with no discrete gpu then add a external gpu dock w/o the gpu in it and sold separately. the point of gaming laptop is the prowess to game (almost) anywhere, but with no discrete gpu it's just your average laptop and if you argue that gaming dock expand consumer choice of having a discrete desktop gpu, at that size the dock is not portable at all, plus it will also require to be plugged. might as well make a sff gaming rig with protable fhd monitor or a real gaming laptop. at 13.3" alienware already did it, clevo already done it too rebranded by eurocom, xenom, etc etc. this laptop is not a choice at all, even macbook air is better (in terms of similar spec).
    Reply
  • Merry_Blind
    This box is a little bit too big for my taste.

    I agree. So we buy one and GUT IT. :3

    Sir Knobsworth has a fair point that even on USB 3.0 though, that's going to be a bottleneck for discrete graphics that can power 1440p.



    As for the whole resolution issue...
    I'm on soldier 44's side simply because so so so many small laptops still have ridiculously tiny screen resolutions. 1080p? Fine. 1440p? Ideal. 4K seems kind of silly as of yet.

    @ The Mentalist:
    No. Just no. When was the last time you used a 720p laptop? I have a netbook with that resolution, and it's freaking miserable. It breaks things.

    If a 5" phone brags about a 1080p screen, then a 14" laptop can have one, when that's the industry standard and resolutions too far below it break all sorts of various programs' UI.

    Yes, ridiculous resolutions like what are on the Razor Blade are nothing but battery drainers, but 1440p would be wonderful to have as a new 'standard option' on laptops.

    1080p is plentiful for laptops. I'd say for 13.3 inch and less laptops, 1366x768 is ideal, 17 inch laptops should be 1080p, and in between, so 14 inch, 15 inch, etc. 900p would be perfect.
    Reply