MSI GL63 8RD Gaming Laptop: Unboxing & Performance Review

MSI GL63 8RD Gaming Laptop: Unboxing & Performance Review

Table of Contents

1. 🔍 Introduction to the MSI GL63 8RD Laptop
2. 🔍 Unboxing and Initial Impressions
3. 🔍 Design and Build Quality
4. 🔍 Keyboard and Touchpad Experience
5. 🔍 Display Quality and Features
6. 🔍 Performance Overview
7. 🔍 Upgradability and Customization Options
8. 🔍 Cooling System and Thermal Performance
9. 🔍 Software and Bloatware
10. 🔍 Gaming Experience and Benchmarks
11. 🔍 Battery Life and Power Management
12. 🔍 Overall Pros and Cons

Introduction to the MSI GL63 8RD Laptop

The MSI GL63 8RD is a gaming laptop that promises a Blend of power, performance, and portability. Packed with an Intel i7 8750H processor and an Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti, it aims to deliver smooth gaming experiences and efficient multitasking capabilities.

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

Upon unboxing, the MSI GL63 8RD greets you with a no-frills packaging, indicating its focus on functionality over flashy presentation. The inclusion of a robust 150-watt power supply Hints at its power-hungry components. However, the absence of double boxing raises concerns regarding the protection during shipping.

Design and Build Quality

The laptop's plastic build, though sturdy, is prone to fingerprint smudges and lacks the premium feel expected from high-end gaming devices. The keyboard, featuring SteelSeries technology, offers tactile feedback and minimal flex, but the touchpad's Synaptics drivers often lag behind in responsiveness, detracting from the overall user experience.

Keyboard and Touchpad Experience

The keyboard's layout, tailored for US users, enhances typing comfort with its well-spaced keys and minimal flex. However, the touchpad's erratic behavior, especially during two-finger scrolling, proves to be a notable drawback that may necessitate external mouse usage for smoother navigation.

Display Quality and Features

The GL63 8RD's 1080p IPS panel delivers vibrant colors and decent viewing angles, albeit with noticeable bezels that detract from the immersive gaming experience. The inclusion of anti-glare technology ensures visibility even in brightly lit environments, although the absence of slim bezels may disappoint users seeking a more modern aesthetic.

Performance Overview

Powered by an Intel i7 processor and Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti graphics, the GL63 8RD exhibits commendable performance across various tasks, including gaming, content creation, and multitasking. Benchmarks showcase impressive scores, indicating the laptop's capability to handle demanding workloads with ease.

Upgradability and Customization Options

The laptop's upgradability remains a highlight, with accessible slots for RAM, storage, and wireless cards, allowing users to tailor their device to suit their specific needs and preferences. However, the inclusion of Norton Security as bloatware detracts from the out-of-the-box experience, requiring manual removal for optimal performance.

Cooling System and Thermal Performance

Equipped with an advanced cooling system comprising multiple heat pipes and large exhaust vents, the GL63 8RD manages thermals effectively during extended gaming Sessions. Temperature spikes are kept in check, ensuring consistent performance without throttling or overheating concerns.

Software and Bloatware

The pre-installed Norton Security software serves as an unnecessary addition, consuming system resources and potentially hindering performance. Users are advised to uninstall it promptly and rely on native Windows Defender for adequate protection against malware and cyber threats.

Gaming Experience and Benchmarks

In gaming scenarios, the GL63 8RD delivers smooth frame rates and responsive gameplay, thanks to its capable hardware configuration and efficient cooling solution. Benchmark results showcase the laptop's prowess in handling modern titles at respectable settings, making it a suitable choice for gaming enthusiasts on a budget.

Battery Life and Power Management

With a modest 41-watt-hour battery, the GL63 8RD offers limited endurance, especially under heavy gaming loads. Users can expect around three to four hours of usage on integrated graphics, with gaming sessions significantly shortening the runtime. External power sources are recommended for extended usage periods.

Overall Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Robust performance for gaming and multitasking
• Easy upgradability for storage and memory
• Effective cooling system prevents thermal throttling
• Tactile keyboard with minimal flex for comfortable typing

Cons:

• Prone to fingerprint smudges and lacks premium build quality
• Erratic touchpad behavior may require external mouse usage
• Limited battery life necessitates frequent charging during extended usage
• Pre-installed bloatware, such as Norton Security, detracts from the user experience

Highlights:

• Powerful gaming performance with Intel i7 processor and Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti graphics
• Easy upgradability for RAM, storage, and wireless cards
• Effective cooling system maintains optimal temperatures during gaming sessions
• Tactile keyboard enhances typing comfort, albeit with minor flex
• Vibrant 1080p IPS display ensures immersive gaming and multimedia experiences

FAQ

Q: Is the MSI GL63 8RD suitable for content creation tasks? A: Yes, the laptop's powerful hardware configuration makes it well-suited for content creation tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and 3D rendering.

Q: Can the touchpad issues be resolved with driver updates? A: While driver updates may improve touchpad performance to some extent, users may still encounter occasional issues with responsiveness and accuracy.

Q: Does the laptop support external GPU (eGPU) setups for enhanced gaming performance? A: No, the MSI GL63 8RD does not support external GPU configurations, limiting users to the onboard Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti graphics for gaming purposes.