Right-side editing cluster looks great: full-size arrow keys; shift-home and shift-end are both comfortable one-handed for editing while holding a phone or other instrument.
Positions of the alt-keys are not for people who frequently press alt-keys with their thumbs. (I find thumbs are stronger for frequent use than pinkies, but frequently reaching far under the palm causes repetitive stress pain, so I prefer alt-keys closer to the center.)
What's wrong with the screen? Just the resolution? 1080 would be fine at this size...
What irks me (and I hope is just a reporting mistake) is the TWO gimped type-C ports. While MSI's habit of including a single type-C port which can do nothing but gen1 data was annoying, putting two such ports on their ultrabook feels like an insult.
My next portable, lightweight laptop MUST support USB-PD charging and DisplayPort Alternate mode on its (preferably 2x) type-C ports.
Not really sure why anybody would but this over a Dell XPS 13 or 15 for what they are asking. Crappy WiFi, no Thunderbolt or USB 3.1 Gen 2, fairly small battery, run-of-the-mill screen, single channel memory, and what is pretty much a worthless GPU. There is nothing about this laptop that makes it a compelling choice with the other options on the market.
I don't have anything USB Gen2 that can't run just as well as Gen1 (still frustratingly using USB 2.0 on my current laptop), nor do I use USB ports for charging, nor have any use for DisplayPort (I use HDMI on my TV and other screens), nor does my unit come with crappy wireless (my PS42 comes with Intel 9462 + BT5), and last but not least: 16GB of RAM + 512 GB of SSD + MX150 + thin + light + small-edged 14" screen for 1200€ (21% VAT included) when other brands are asking for +1800€.
DisplayPort doesn't appear to have much of a future given how prolific and universal HDMI has become. Over the next few years DP will probably get phased out entirely. HDMI is already the only video interface on a large number of laptops.
My understanding is that HDMI is licensing fee encumbered more so than DisplayPort, which is why you see brand new 2018 devices with HDMI 1.4 ports that can't do 4K/60 like HDMI 2.0 can, because its cheaper for the manufacturer
My bad. Specs on online store were screwed up. It's Intel 3168 instead of 9462. Also single channel (why 16GB single channel?!). This laptop will go to my gf, but still... don't understand those two choices. Everything else is more than OK on my book.
Newsflash - XPS13 has even CRAPPIER wifi, and as a bonus, it's not even removable. At this point I would not recommend Dell to anyone who actually uses it on the move (i.e. connecting to random Wifi APs and not just a particular setup at home that has a slight chance of working).
If I didn't already have HP x360 13t with 4k screen I would buy the huawei matebook pro, but not another dell (i owned XPS15 9560, and replaced Killer Wifi with intel after a week with it.
I have a new-ish Dell laptop, and it has trouble with connecting to Wifi at Airports and Hotels. What happens is that the browser log-in page fails to load. i found that if I type in the address "1.1.1.1" in the browser, then I get the log-in page, and after that everything is fine. I have to do this nearly 50% of the time while I travel, and this fixed always works. Not sure if this is a hardware Wifi issue, dell driver issue, or an issue with how IT setup my laptop.
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19 Comments
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timecop1818 - Friday, August 17, 2018 - link
Garbage 1080p screen. Why no shots of keyboard? From side view looks like they maybe did the home/pgup down keys correctly on the right side.Gc - Friday, August 17, 2018 - link
Bigger keyboard photo: followed "Source: MSI", clicked gallery tab, clicked a photo to open slideshow, third pic is https://www.msi.com/Laptop/PS42-8RX/Gallery#lg=1&a...Right-side editing cluster looks great: full-size arrow keys; shift-home and shift-end are both comfortable one-handed for editing while holding a phone or other instrument.
Positions of the alt-keys are not for people who frequently press alt-keys with their thumbs. (I find thumbs are stronger for frequent use than pinkies, but frequently reaching far under the palm causes repetitive stress pain, so I prefer alt-keys closer to the center.)
PixyMisa - Friday, August 17, 2018 - link
That layout (or something similar) needs to become the standard.chrnochime - Monday, August 20, 2018 - link
Not everyone needs a 1440p screen on a 14". So speak for yourself.shabby - Friday, August 17, 2018 - link
Any laptop with a nostril cam should be shamed.Gunbuster - Monday, August 20, 2018 - link
Indeed. It's near impossible to get business people to use a camera on Skype in the first place, and that's a well placed one.chrnochime - Monday, August 20, 2018 - link
Or just plug in your own cam and place it on top. Not like the built-in ones are that great anyway.edgineer - Friday, August 17, 2018 - link
What's wrong with the screen? Just the resolution? 1080 would be fine at this size...What irks me (and I hope is just a reporting mistake) is the TWO gimped type-C ports. While MSI's habit of including a single type-C port which can do nothing but gen1 data was annoying, putting two such ports on their ultrabook feels like an insult.
My next portable, lightweight laptop MUST support USB-PD charging and DisplayPort Alternate mode on its (preferably 2x) type-C ports.
oRAirwolf - Saturday, August 18, 2018 - link
Not really sure why anybody would but this over a Dell XPS 13 or 15 for what they are asking. Crappy WiFi, no Thunderbolt or USB 3.1 Gen 2, fairly small battery, run-of-the-mill screen, single channel memory, and what is pretty much a worthless GPU. There is nothing about this laptop that makes it a compelling choice with the other options on the market.heffeque - Saturday, August 18, 2018 - link
I don't have anything USB Gen2 that can't run just as well as Gen1 (still frustratingly using USB 2.0 on my current laptop), nor do I use USB ports for charging, nor have any use for DisplayPort (I use HDMI on my TV and other screens), nor does my unit come with crappy wireless (my PS42 comes with Intel 9462 + BT5), and last but not least: 16GB of RAM + 512 GB of SSD + MX150 + thin + light + small-edged 14" screen for 1200€ (21% VAT included) when other brands are asking for +1800€.hfm - Sunday, August 19, 2018 - link
Samsung Notebook 9 15' is a better deal and includes a 4-lane TB3 port. If this doesn't have 4-lane TB3 it's dead in the water for me..hfm - Sunday, August 19, 2018 - link
Oops 15" .. LOL..Plus only single-channel memory compared to dual-channel on the Samsung? Not sure what version the HDMI port is, but I can't find any info about that.
PeachNCream - Monday, August 20, 2018 - link
DisplayPort doesn't appear to have much of a future given how prolific and universal HDMI has become. Over the next few years DP will probably get phased out entirely. HDMI is already the only video interface on a large number of laptops.Pessimism - Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - link
My understanding is that HDMI is licensing fee encumbered more so than DisplayPort, which is why you see brand new 2018 devices with HDMI 1.4 ports that can't do 4K/60 like HDMI 2.0 can, because its cheaper for the manufacturerheffeque - Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - link
My bad. Specs on online store were screwed up. It's Intel 3168 instead of 9462. Also single channel (why 16GB single channel?!). This laptop will go to my gf, but still... don't understand those two choices. Everything else is more than OK on my book.timecop1818 - Sunday, August 19, 2018 - link
> Crappy WiFi,Newsflash - XPS13 has even CRAPPIER wifi, and as a bonus, it's not even removable. At this point I would not recommend Dell to anyone who actually uses it on the move (i.e. connecting to random Wifi APs and not just a particular setup at home that has a slight chance of working).
If I didn't already have HP x360 13t with 4k screen I would buy the huawei matebook pro, but not another dell (i owned XPS15 9560, and replaced Killer Wifi with intel after a week with it.
kmmatney - Monday, August 20, 2018 - link
I have a new-ish Dell laptop, and it has trouble with connecting to Wifi at Airports and Hotels. What happens is that the browser log-in page fails to load. i found that if I type in the address "1.1.1.1" in the browser, then I get the log-in page, and after that everything is fine. I have to do this nearly 50% of the time while I travel, and this fixed always works. Not sure if this is a hardware Wifi issue, dell driver issue, or an issue with how IT setup my laptop.hfm - Saturday, August 18, 2018 - link
Thunderbolt 3?plewis00 - Sunday, August 19, 2018 - link
The Amazon ones listed at the bottom say they have a GTX 1050 2GB, is that right? Or is it meant to be an MX150?