MSI outs GX780 gaming notebook with SteelSeries keyboard
updated 10:55 am EDT, Wed April 27, 2011
MSI GX780 packs SteelSeries keys, quad Core i7
MSI chose Wednesday to bring out a unique notebook tailored just to serious gamers. Unlike the internally created keyboards on most notebooks, the 17.3-inch GX780 uses a special keyboard designed by game accessory maker SteelSeries. The layout is both more durable than most notebook keyboards but has had its keys optimized for gaming, such as enlarging the Alt and Ctrl keys as well as moving the Windows key to the right to avoid accidental hits.
The keys aren't just backlit but can tune them to different colors or behavior. A hardware gaming mode shortcut highlights just the WASD layout used by many first-person shooters as well as the Ctrl key. As many as 10 keys can register input at once to let action and real-time strategy gamers work at full speed.
As a notebook, the GX780 starts out with a strong minimum spec of a 2GHz quad Core i7 processor and a GeForce GT555M for dedicated graphics. A base system starts with dual 320GB hard drives, a DVD burner, and a 1600x900 display resolution, but it can run up to dual 750GB drives, Blu-ray, and a 1080p screen. All versions support up to 16GB of RAM and have both HDMI and USB 3.0 ports.
MSI didn't give a timeframe for when the GX780 would arrive. It usually saves prices and ship dates for local news updates. A US launch is almost certain given SteelSeries calling it home.
