Looking for a serious productivity powerhouse that can run CAD while you travel? MSI has announced a new option in this limited market: the aptly named Quadro WorkStation. It packs Nvidia’s latest Quadro K2000M graphics chip along with a Core i7-3630QM processor and 12GB of RAM.
The system is derived from the company’s GT60, a 15.6-inch gaming laptop. This means the Quadro WorkStation is a beefy system with serious performance potential. It weighs in at 7.7 pounds and is up to 1.8 inches thick. The emphasis is on work instead of mobility.
Graphics performance from the GPU should be roughly equivalent to a GT 650M. That puts the system behind the pace of the standard GT60, which is equipped with a GTX 670M. The performance gap is compensated by Quadro drivers optimized for 3D design software. It’s a common trade. Raw performance is lost in exchange for stability and driver support.
The laptop’s gaming roots show through in standard features like premium speakers, a Killer-brand network card, and a multi-color backlit keyboard. These extras are joined by three USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, and HDMI 1.4. A Blu-ray read/burn drive and a 750GB mechanical hard drive are included, but solid-state storage is not available at launch.
Consumers and professionals will have to pay $2,099 to grab the Quadro WorkStation. Though that seems like a lot, some mobile workstations carry similar price tags while boasting less impressive graphics. MSI’s offering at first glance appears to be a value alternative.
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