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MSI reveals its Computex lineup of VR-ready desktops, updated backpack PC

Computex Logo
This story is part of our coverage of Computex, the world's biggest computing conference.

Prior to Computex opening its doors in Taipei, MSI revealed its lineup of products heading to the show. These include an updated backpack PC for anchor-free VR gaming, a new line of gaming desktops, new entries to its GT series of gaming laptops, and a new entry in its Vortex family of compact gaming PCs. The laptops are actually available to purchase now, while all other products have no release dates and pricing.

VR One Backpack PC

For starters, the company updated this wearable PC for virtual reality with seventh-generation Intel Core processors. The device weighs a mere 7.93 pounds, enabling users to freely move around in their virtual experience without feeling weighed down and anchored to a stationary VR-capable PC. It comes with two hot-swappable 90-watt-hour batteries to keep users in the virtual world without having to completely exit due to a dead battery.

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The two VR One models are mostly the same outside their obvious graphics chip and price differences. The GTX 1060 model only has 6GB of GDDR5 video memory and 256GB of internal storage whereas the GTX 1070 model has 8GB of GDDR5 video memory and twice the storage. Either model is a great cord-free VR option although you may find that the 256GB SSD may fill up extremely fast.

GeForce GTX 1070 Model GeForce GTX 1060 Model
Model: VRONE065 VRONE067
Processor: Intel Core i7-7820HK
2.9GHz base, 3.9GHz boost
Intel Core i7-7820HK
2.9GHz base, 3.9GHz boost
System memory: 16GB DDR4 @ 2,400MHz 16GB DDR4 @ 2,400MHz
Graphics memory: 8GB GDDR5 6GB GDDR5
Storage: 512GB SSD
M.2 NVMe, PCIe Gen3 x4
256GB SSD
M.2 NVMe, PCIe Gen3 x4
Audio: Nahimic Sound Nahimic Sound
Ports: 4x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
1x Thunderbolt 3
1x HDMI 2.0
1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
1x Audio port
4x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
1x Thunderbolt 3
1x HDMI 2.0
1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
1x Audio port
Connectivity: Wireless AC (2×2) (Killer 1535)
Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless AC (2×2) (Killer 1535)
Bluetooth 4.1
AC power adapter: 230 watts 230 watts
Battery pack: 2x 8-cell 90-watt-hour batteries 2x 8-cell 90-watt-hour batteries
Dimensions: 15.9 x 11.5 x 2.4 inches 15.9 x 11.5 x 2.4 inches
Weight: 7.9 pounds 7.9 pounds
Operating system: Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro
Color: Black Black
Price: $2,299 $1,999
Image used with permission by copyright holder

GT83VR Titan SLI Gaming Notebook

MSI’s latest notebook arrives in two flavors: One with two GTX 1080 graphics chips and one with two GTX 1070 chips despite the “Titan” name. That’s right: Owners get full SLI goodness with these two laptops, which are backed by seventh-generation Intel Core processors and double the video memory. They also include mechanical keyboards built by SteelSeries sporting per-key RGB backlighting and Cherry MX Silver mechanical switches.

There are actually two versions of each model ranging in price from $3,499 to $5,399. For instance, the GTX 1080 SLI model sells with a configuration including 16GB of system memory and a single 1TB hard drive. A more expensive configuration sells with 64GB of system memory, one 1TB hard drive, and two 512GB SSDs. Rinse and repeat for the GTX 1070 SLI model.

GTX 1080 SLI Model GTX 1070 SLI Model
Model: GT83VRSLI252
GT83VRSLI212
GT83VRSLI253
GT83VRSLI213
Screen size: 18.4 inches 18.4 inches
Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 1,920 x 1,080
Screen type: IPS IPS
Processor: Intel Core i7-7920HQ
3.1GHz base, 4.1GHz boost
Intel Core i7-7920HQ
3.1GHz base, 4.1GHz boost
System memory: 16GB DDR4 @ 2,400MHz (252)
64GB DDR4 @ 2,400MHz (212)
16GB DDR4 @ 2,400MHz (253)
64GB DDR4 @ 2,400MHz (213)
Graphics memory: 2x 8GB GDDR5X 2x 8GB GDDR5
Storage: 1x 1TB HDD
1x Blu-ray disc burner
2x 512GB SSDs (252 only)
1x 1TB HDD
1x Blu-ray disc burner
2x 512GB SSDs (252 only)
Audio: Nahimic Sound
4x Dynaudio Tech speakers
1x subwoofer
himic Sound
4x Dynaudio Tech speakers
1x subwoofer
Ports: 1x SD card reader
5x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
1x gigabit Ethernet
1x Thunderbolt 3
1x HDMI 1.4
1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
1x TOSLINK optical
x SD card reader
5x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
1x gigabit Ethernet
1x Thunderbolt 3
1x HDMI 1.4
1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
1x TOSLINK optical
Webcam: Full HD (30FPS at 1080p) Full HD (30FPS at 1080p)
Connectivity: Wireless AC (2×2)
Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless AC (2×2)
Bluetooth 4.1
AC power adapter: 2x 330 watts 2x 330 watts
Battery: 8-cell 75-watt-hour 8-cell 75-watt-hour
Dimensions:
(inches)
16.85 x 12.36 x 1.66/2.52 16.85 x 12.36 x 1.66/2.52
Weight: 13.13 pounds 11.59 pounds
Operating system: Windows 10 Windows 10
Color: Aluminum Black Aluminum Black
Price: $4,299 (16GB / HDD)
$5,399 (64GB / SSD / HDD)
$3,499 (16GB / HDD)
$4,199 (64GB / SSD / HDD)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Infinite A Desktop

MSI is introducing a new line of desktops under the Infinite brand, starting with the Infinite A. These desktops are powered by MSI’s Gaming-branded graphics cards, seventh-generation Intel Core processors, and the company’s proprietary Silent Storm Cooling 3 thermal design. Given they’re based on a tower form factor, users shouldn’t have any trouble upgrading the components when needed.

Unfortunately, MSI doesn’t have an exact list of the different configurations that will be made available in the United States, but here are the base components:

Processor: Intel Core i7-7700
Graphics: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming
System memory: Up to 64GB DDR4 (4x DIMM slots)
Video memory: 8GB GDDR5X
Storage: 1x M.s PCIe / SATA SSD
2x 3.5-inch HDD
3x 2.5-inch HDD/SSD
1x Optical drive
Audio: 5.1 Channel HD audio
Nahimic audio enhancer
Connectivity: Wireless AC (Intel 3168)
Bluetooth 4.2
Ports (front): 1x VR-Link
1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C
1x USB 2.0 Type-A
Ports (back): 3x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C
2x USB 2.0 Type-A
1x gigabit Ethernet
1x DVI
2x PS2 ports (keyboard, mouse)
1x audio output
Power supply: 550 watts 80 Plus Bronze
Operating system: Windows 10 Home
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Vortex G25VR Gaming Desktop

Finally, a new version of MSI’s compact gaming desktop is on the way. MSI didn’t provide any hardware specifics, but merely stated that it relies on a cooling system spanning dual fans and eight heat pipes to pull all that heat away from the crucial components. It will also sport a 2.5-liter form factor, Hi-Res audio, and Nahimic audio enhancement.

More details will be coming soon for pricing and availability, MSI says.

Kevin Parrish
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
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