MSI GE62 6QD Apache Pro Gaming Laptop Review

Introduction

MSI’s GT and GE gaming laptop range have been a phenomenal success due to the feature-rich package, astonishingly-high build quality, and affordable pricing compared to the competition. The combination of class-leading components in a cool and quiet chassis creates a wonderful laptop experience which legitimately rivals large full-tower PCs without having to make too many concessions. Furthermore, each unit is designed with portability in mind opting for a sleek profile and surprisingly light weight even with the battery installed. MSI’s design team managed to maintain a slim profile without impacting on battery life or cooling proficiency. As a result, the final build is perfectly balanced and feels like a meticulously planned piece of equipment.

The latest addition to MSI’s gaming laptop series, is the GE62 6QD. This model features Intel’s latest Skylake mobile architecture and high-bandwidth DDR4 memory. In this particular configuration, the unit is bundled with an i7-6700HQ, 8GB DDR4-2133MHz RAM and the remarkably efficient GTX 960M chipset. This works splendidly with the 1920×1080 PLS panel and provides enough graphical horsepower to tackle demanding 3D tasks. In terms of storage, the laptop includes a 128GB M.2 boot drive, and 1TB 7200 RPM mechanical data disk. As you might expect, MSI incorporates an expansive software suite containing tools to monitor the core components or stream like a professional with the free 1-year XSplit license. Overall, the main specification and premium extras make the GE62 6QD an exciting prospect and I expect to see fairly impressive benchmarks given the reasonable price point.

Specifications

• Name: MSI GE62 6QD Apache Pro
• Case: Brushed Aluminum Laptop Chassis
• Processor: 4th Gen. Intel Core Skylake i7-6700HQ (2.6GHz Core, 3.5GHz Turbo)
• System Memory: 1x8GB DDR4 2133MHz
• Main Boot Drive: Toshiba 128GB M.2 SSD
• Additional Storage Drive(s): 1TB 7200RPM mechanical disk drive
• Graphics card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 960M 2GB GDDR5
• Battery: 6-cell Li-Polymer
• Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM
• Wireless:  Intel dual-band Wireless-AC 3165
• OS: Windows 10 64 Bit
• Display: 15.6″ Anti-Glare (1920×1080) PLS Wide Viewing Angle
• Weight: 2.4kg with battery
• Dimensions: 383(W) x 268(D) x 27(H)mm
• Warranty: 2-Year Collect and Return (1 year global)
• Price: £1079 as configured delivered.

Packing and Accessories

MSI opted for a durable outer cardboard box which doesn’t increase the shipping weight too much but manages to reinforce the main packaging. The top is sealed using heavy-duty tape and prevents the package from uncoupling during transit.

Once the outer packaging has been removed, we can now see the aesthetically pleasing retail box which employ MSI’s gaming dragon theme. This red and black colour scheme evokes a premium tone and illustrates the laptop’s target market. On another note, the strong handle, taped top section and thick tabs adds a great deal of protection and should eliminate any kind of accidental damage by a courier.

The laptop edges are protected by two cardboard cutouts which helps to maintain the packaging’s default arrangement and stop the unit from moving around. Also, the GE62 6QD is cushioned by a gorgeous MSI-branded felt cover to stop any cosmetic imperfections from occurring.

In terms of accessories, the system comes with a huge array of documentation informing the purchaser about key features, the setup process, and a thorough warranty guide.  There is also a fairly large power brick and UK AC adapter. It’s certainly not the most intrusive I’ve seen and should be portable enough to fit in most laptop bags without any problems.

CPU-Z

GPU-Z