MSI has announced a new 13.3-inch 1.3Kg gaming laptop. The MSI GS30 Shadow is a compact, light design which packs in the latest Intel 4th Gen Core i7 processor with Iris Pro graphics. The Taiwanese PC systems builder and accessories maker says that while the "amazing graphics" on offer can cope with the "majority of gaming titles" this laptop can shift to a completely new level when paired with the MSI GamingDock.
The Intel Iris Pro graphics chip in the MSI GS30 Shadow is said to offer "more than double" the performance of the previous generation of Intel graphics. It supports DX11.1, OpenCL 1.2, OpenGL 4.0 and enhanced 4k x 2k output. MSI's VP of sales said that thanks to its built-in processing power and its thin, light and stylish chassis the GS30 wouldn't just appeal to gamers but to a wider audience.
Let's look at the full spec of the MSI GS30 Shadow before checking out the MSI GamingDock:
- Processor: Intel 4th Gen Core i7
- Memory Type: DDR3L, up to 1600MHz, Max 16GB
- Graphics: Intel Iris Pro
- LED Backlight Display: 13.3-inch , support up to 2560x1440 , Wide view angle, Anti-glare
- Hard Disk Capacity: M.2 SSDx2 with Super Raid
- Keyboard: Backlight Keyboard
- USB 3.0/2.0: 2/0
- Card Reader: SD(XC/HC) /MMC
- Video output: HDMI 1.4b
- Audio I/O: Mic-in/Headphone out
- LAN/WiFi: Giga LAN/ Intel 802.11ac
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth v4.0
- Webcam: HD type (30fps@720p)
- Battery: Built in 4-Cell Li-Ion
- Power Adapter: 65W
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 320 x 227.3 x 19.8mm
- Weight : 1.3 Kg (w/ Battery)
- Operating System: Windows 8.1
MSI GamingDock
MSI says that the GamingDock is specially designed for the GS30 Shadow. The firm asserts that "any desktop graphics card," fits in the dock and once so equipped and paired with your GS30 laptop you can benefit from the full bandwidth of PCI-e x16.
The interface which connects the MSI GS30 and GamingDock is not discussed but in the pictures you can see a wide feature connector. Confusingly while this desktop graphics card packing accessory is said to be "specific" to the GS30 MSI later says that it is "the most powerful upgraded cannon for slim gaming laptops," - which sounds more general. The dock also looks like it gives you a meaty speaker boost.
The MSI GamingDock has a January 2015 launch target.
