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MSI Computer S300 Crystal EditionThis system takes notebook bling to the next level while delivering decent performance and portability. Price: $1,499
By Jamie Bsales 
The MSI Computer S300 Crystal Edition takes the notion of a highly portable notebook as executive jewelry literally. Embedded in the surprisingly smudge-resistant black-lacquer lid are 120 Swarovski crystals arranged in a circle around the MSI logo. The look is more feminine than most men might want, but it certainly stands out even in today's crowd of slick-looking machines.
Weighing 4.8 pounds, the S300 (which is also marketed as the S200-008US) is easy to carry and comes with both a neoprene pouch (to protect the finish) and a ballistic-nylon soft-sided briefcase. MSI has thrown in other extras for your $1,499, including a credit card-sized Media Center remote, a diminutive wired travel mouse, and even a Skype handset. That said, the Lobos MySkype phone is more a novelty than a selling point; the handset felt cheap and uncomfortable against the ear, and the earpiece speaker sounded tinny. On the plus side, the included SkyMe utility lets you navigate Skype's menus and place calls using buttons on the handset (as opposed to using the Skype UI). The glossy widescreen is particularly bright, with rich, saturated colors. And we found the 13.3-inch panel and its 1280 x 800-pixel resolution comfortable to look at for long stretches. The panel's viewing angle is good side to side (just watch for glare and reflection in typical office lighting). Despite the system's four internal speakers, the sound was a bit thin and the volume lacking. The S300's matte-black keyboard is comfortable, thanks to the full-sized letter keys. The ancillary keys are a bit smaller than those on larger portables but not annoyingly so. The touchpad (with an unmarked vertical scroll area) is smooth, but the mouse buttons felt stiff. The travel mouse is a welcome addition. As for performance, the S300 is adequate for productivity chores. The 1.83-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 1GB of RAM helped deliver a score of 3,108 on PCMark05. That's lower than the average score turned in by six sub-$1,500 systems we tested recently, but it certainly has enough horsepower for productivity chores. Graphics performance from the integrated Intel GMA 950 chipset was mediocre; the system scored just 903 on our 3DMark03 test. The S300's Windows Experience Index graphics subscore of 2.3 is on the low end of what's recommended for Vista's Aero effects. Indeed, in our testing the notebook was able to deliver Aero's translucent effects with one or two windows open, but with several open, moving a panel around produced noticeable jerkiness. We recommend bumping up the RAM to 2GB (an extra $70). Wireless throughput (around 17 Mbps) was consistently good, and the eight-cell battery lasted a respectable 2 hours and 38 minutes on a DVD rundown test. MSI included a spacious 120GB hard drive and a multiformat DVD burner in this configuration. Port selection is standard fare: three USB ports, FireWire, an ExpressCard slot, and a 3-in-1 card reader. We would have liked to see dedicated multimedia control keys instead of just quick-launch buttons. In addition to the Vista Home Premium OS, MSI loads the Magix Goya Base multimedia suite. The program's task-driven UI makes creating music or photo CDs, burning DVDs, and backing up files easy. Documentation for the system is a bit thin, consisting of a quick-start guide, a small Vista manual, and a manual for the Skype phone and utility. We're also not thrilled with MSI's support program, which requires a toll call and is only available during limited weekday hours. You can get a better performing notebook (with more accessible tech support) for the same money from one of the larger PC makers. But the MSI S300 strikes a nice balance between portability and everyday usability, and the crystal-studded lid is certainly unique. Just be sure to bump up the RAM. Suggested Stories Sony VAIO FZ Series (VGN-FZ180-E/B) Review Sony's latest combines a brilliant display, Blu-ray drive, and plenty of performance all wrapped up in a sleek package. HP Pavilion HDX Entertainment Notebook PC Review Featuring a dual-hinged 20-inch widescreen display, Intel's new Core 2 Extreme processor, and all the multimedia bells and whistles you can dream up, the HP HDX is one smokin' desktop replacement. 11 Ways to Fix Your Laptop Avoid wasting time on tech support--and money on shipping--by trying these quick fixes first. MSI Computer S300 Crystal Edition Specifications
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