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Review: MSI GS30 Shadow with GamingDock

by Parm Mann on 13 January 2015, 17:00

Tags: MSI

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Conclusion

Transforming a thin-and-light 13.3in laptop, the bundled GamingDock opens the door to greater storage, better connectivity, improved audio and a far superior graphics experience.

The MSI GS30 Shadow is further proof that laptop docking stations have plenty to offer.

Transforming a thin-and-light 13.3in laptop, the bundled GamingDock opens the door to greater storage, better connectivity, improved audio and a far superior graphics experience.

Designed with gamer's in mind, MSI's implementation favours end-user upgrades and maximum performance. Install a powerful graphics card and you get a two-in-one solution that can handle your everyday laptop duties as well as your desktop gaming.

The technology is promising, but the GS30 Shadow does have its shortcomings. The Core i7 chip will throttle due to the constraints of the thin laptop chassis, noise from both hardware components is an issue, and there's a small matter of price. At £2,200 this remains a niche solution that many will struggle to justify.

MSI has the right idea, but tweaks are needed in order for the GS30 Shadow to reach its full potential. A follow-up model with a fifth-generation Intel processor, better battery life and a lower price tag would be a big step in the right direction.

The Good
  
The Bad
Could replace your gaming rig
Straightforward docking procedure
High-speed M.2 storage array
Bundled GeForce GTX 980
Laptop is thin and light
  
Mediocre battery life
Fan noise can be bothersome
CPU throttles under load
Pricey at £2,200



MSI GS30 Shadow

HEXUS.where2buy

TBC.

HEXUS.right2reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.


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HEXUS Forums :: 14 Comments

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Posted by deleted - Tue 13 Jan 2015 17:50
For me gaming laptops have just never made sense. Admittedly a big part of this is because I game at home exclusively, and if I'm going to stay somewhere I take my PC (no mean feat with w Lian Li PC-70B case ha).

It's the price, they're INSANE. For £2000 I could build a 4K capable computer, with a monitor to match. I know a few people who have a gaming laptop, but all of them compromised - none own high spec models, they're all middle of the road, so games are played at sub-1080p with medium settings, usually at around 40fps, but even that cost them over £1200.

I've kinda forgotten the point I was going to make…
Posted by deleted - Tue 13 Jan 2015 18:08
Several friends, including two game devs, are away on business and consequently on the road/train often. That makes lugging a high-end desktop and monitor, plus peripherals pretty awkward.

They get the best they can afford, but they're limited by a game dev's salary which apparently isn't always that much…
Posted by deleted - Tue 13 Jan 2015 18:16
i understand the idea, but let's face it: this is exactly like having 2 PCs, this takes almost as much space a desktop+laptop, and the laptop alone is not enough to play anything
on the other hand it's expensive as hell, you can get a desktop with peripherals that runs awesome on 1080p for 1200$ and a cheap work laptop, say 500$, or just get a “gaming” laptop for around 1200/1300$
i have no idea which part of the market this is for
i use a laptop to play, but thats me because i need it to study/work/etc, like to play games, have to travel a few times a year and refuse to pay for a desktop im just gonna use once or twice a week
i really want to know who is this aimed for, clearly not for me
Posted by deleted - Tue 13 Jan 2015 19:58
Deleted
For me gaming laptops have just never made sense…I know a few people who have a gaming laptop, but all of them compromised - none own high spec models, they're all middle of the road, so games are played at sub-1080p with medium settings, usually at around 40fps, but even that cost them over £1200.

With a $1k Y50 (Less than 700 GBP), I can play modern games (read: Far Cry 4) on high settings at 60FPS–Very High with an average of 60 FPS–and it's definitely not a high-end gaming laptop. We're finally seeing graphics performance outrunning games for the time being and I see the two crowds being people buying thin/light/expensive gaming laptops and people buying gaming desktops. Personally, I think the Y50 would be a great laptop without the graphics, so if I can get pretty good gaming from an average-priced PC, then I'm all for it!
Posted by deleted - Tue 13 Jan 2015 20:20
That laptop has an 860m… My 760 would struggle with high settings at 60 frames per second.

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