Review: MSI GT725
MSI proves that you can purchase a very solid gaming machine without taking out a second mortgage with the GT725, a $1,699 rig that features a powerful quad-core CPU, robust graphics, and Blu-ray playback. We’re not fans of the keyboard, and the design could use a bit of a refresh, but overall, you get a lot for your money.
A Gamer’s Design; a Keyboard for Few
Lacking flames or glowing alien eyes, the GT725 may not be as ostentatious as other gaming rigs, but it has plenty of touches to remind you this is no ordinary notebook. The system has fire red accents, and the blue neon lights illuminate the responsive, touch-sensitive media controls, status indicators, and power button. However, this design is practically identical to every other MSI gaming notebook we’ve tested recently (such as the GT627, the GX630, and the GX720), and like the Gateway FX Series, is starting to look a bit dated. The brushed-aluminum lid and base gives the 15.5 x 10.9 x 1.0-inch, 7.6-pound system quite a solid feel, but the palm rest and keyboard demonstrated a fair amount of flex.
Being a 17-inch system, the GT725 accommodates a roomy keyboard that, unfortunately, has some problems. The inclusion of a full numeric keypad causes other keys to be shrunk: The right Shift key is about half the size of the one on the left side, and the minute Ctrl and arrow keys may prove painful to touch typists accustomed to full-size decks. We did like the fact that the WASD keys are clearly highlighted, which could help gamers unaccustomed to keyboard play.
