MSI GT725
Before we get on to our visual examination, we'll start with a little disclaimer. When reviewing the aesthetics of any hardware, the opinion expressed belongs solely to the author. It is, however, simply an opinion and aesthetics are nothing more than a matter of taste - one man's dream notebook may be another man's nightmare.
With that in mind, we'll jump straight in and state that the MSI GT725 is a lot like Marmite - you either love it or you hate it. I'm firmly in the latter camp - and whilst gaming friends have described the system's design as "orgasmic" - I'll explain why it isn't for me.
On arrival, there's no doubting that MSI is keeping true to its G-Series tradition. The black-and-red box hints heavily at what's inside.
Here it is, the flattened A-Team van MSI GT725. The unmistakable red stripe stands out, but is this what today's gamer wants? As a gamer myself, I'm not so certain. The design holds true to MSI's G-Series tradition, sure, but it almost has a sense of 80's nostalgia. Should you be wearing Michael Jackson's Beat It jacket, the notebook would be a perfect addition to your attire.
I'm of the belief that many gamers have moved on, and this form of in-your-face design isn't as captivating as it once was. Or, maybe I'm just getting old.
To MSI's credit, though, the system is solidly built - highlighted by its substantial weight - and feels far better than it looks. The black brushed-aluminium finish is pleasantly smart, but subject to plentiful fingerprint marks.
Over to the left and there's another helping of garish red for the eyes to soak up. Aesthetics aside, however, there's very decent functionality in the form of a Blu-ray/DVD combo drive. Alongside that are two USB ports, Ethernet and modem ports and a Kensington lock.
Nothing out of the ordinary, but measuring 35mm at its thickest point, it feels a little chunky.
Switch to the other side and we've a multi-card reader below the ExpressCard slot, another USB port, eSATA, FireWire, audio ports and the first of two ventilation grilles.
At the back there's plenty more red styling, a second ventilation grille, along with HDMI, VGA and power connectors. Feeding the system's power-hungry components is a 9-cell battery which, as expected, protrudes from the otherwise sleek shell by about an inch.
It's another not-so-pretty feature, but the 9-cell battery is a must. Depending on usage and power plan, we experienced an average battery life of between 2-3 hours.
On the underside, we see MSI's integrated speakers and built-in subwoofer come together to create a 4.1 environment. The combination provides surprisingly decent sound for a notebook system, and proves to be a useful multimedia companion to the Blu-ray drive.
Elsewhere, the hard-disk drive can be accessed by a two-screw panel allowing for easy upgrades. Accessing the system's vital components, however, will void the warranty.
