Display, Keyboard and Trackpad

MSI has used a xv.half-dozen-inch "IPS-level" LCD with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, giving this laptop a display pixel density of 141 PPI. This resolution is typical for a gaming laptop of this size, and is well suited to the performance of the GTX 1060. At that place is also a 4K IPS option available with the top end $1,899 model.

Displays on gaming laptops are rarely fantastic, and the GS63VR is no exception. The IPS-level (whatever that means) panel delivers good viewing angles, however effulgence is limited to just 271 nits; unremarkably I'd similar to see at least 300 nits. Blackness levels aren't great either, leading to a contrast ratio of just 871:1, which isn't unusual for an entry-level IPS display just however disappointing nonetheless.

Colour performance from MSI laptops is generally okay, peculiarly equally they are configured to use an sRGB mode past default. The display on my review unit of measurement had a slight blue tint, but greyscale accuracy was a respectable dE2000 value of 2.58 (less than 2.0 is considered very adept), while color accuracy was also decent plenty at a dE2000 of 3.39. This leads to a generally decent color feel with adept, though non outstanding levels of vibrance and accuracy.

Display calibration via SpectraCal's CALMAN 5 software can resolve lingering bug with greyscale accuracy, pushing the display beneath a dE2000 value of 0.five. Colour functioning was more tricky to right, and I only managed to achieve a slight increase in accuracy.

Perchance the most disappointing attribute of the GS63VR's display is a lack of G-Sync or refresh rates college than sixty Hz. The included 1080p display is bog average and this is the case beyond MSI'southward 15.6-inch laptop line. Asus, on the other hand, is an example of a company that offers a 15.6-inch 1080p G-Sync panel in their cheaper GTX 1060 laptops, then ideally I'd take liked to see G-Sync in this laptop as well.

The SteelSeries keyboard included with the GS63VR is decent for a laptop that doesn't have a ton of space for a keyboard with deep travel distance. In terms of travel distance, this keyboard falls between a larger gaming laptop like the Alienware xv, and an ultrabook. MSI has used chiclet keys, which are fine for gaming, and the tactile feel of each cardinal is surprisingly clicky considering the utilize of rubber dome keycaps; it's non as mushy every bit some other gaming laptop keyboards I've recently tested.

The keyboard layout is adept, with adequate size for of import gaming keys similar tab, left shift, control and the spacebar. There are total-sized pointer keys awkwardly crammed between the standard keyboard and the numpad, although I appreciate the inclusion of a numpad on a laptop that conspicuously has enough space to include 1. System functions such every bit volume adjust, brightness adjust, airplane mode and then forth are mapped to both the F-keys and the arrow keys, and in that location'due south a skilful mix of inclusions here.

The GS63VR's keyboard is backlit via three-zone RGB LEDs. In MSI'south software utility you can change the color of each of the 3 zones, and in that location is additional functionality to pulse the backlight in various patterns. The rainbow effect you tin can achieve here looks cool, though it should exist noted that each individual primal is not RGB-programmable. If you'd prefer a solid backlight color, cerise looks all-time so it matches the physical cherry highlights of this laptop.

MSI has opted for a garbage ELAN touchpad, which provides a mediocre tracking and gesture recognition. I had to turn up the sensitivity to about the maximum to attain a responsive experience on this trackpad, and fifty-fifty so it just feels… janky. Not that this surprised me: ELAN hardware is terrible and it'south no wonder that but a small scattering of gaming laptop manufacturers nevertheless utilise their products.

Luckily well-nigh gamers will be using an external mouse, so the trackpad is of piffling concern, but I would have liked to meet a better trackpad for the times you're using this laptop as a portable work machine.