We got 3 brand new laptops from MSI this week to test out and the first two were 14-inch laptops running on an Intel Core i3 processor — the MSI CR420 and the MSI CX420.
The two are almost twins, only separated at birth with the one having a more powerful discreet graphics card while the other uses the integrated graphics from Intel.
MSI CX420x – i33+
Intel Core i3-330M @ 2.13GHz
14.1″ LCD display @ 1366×768
ATi Mobility Radeon HD5470 1GB DDR3
2GB DDR3 RAM (max 4GB)
320GB SATA HDD
Super-Multi DVD+RW
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth (optional)
1.3-megapixel webcam
4-in-1 card reader
D-Sub, HDMI port
3 x USB 2.0 ports
6-cell Li-Ion battery
MSI CR420
Intel Core i3-330M @ 2.13GHz
14.1″ LCD display @ 1366×768
Intel HD Graphics
2GB DDR3 RAM (max 4GB)
320GB SATA HDD
Super-Multi DVD+RW
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1 (optional)
1.3-megapixel webcam
4-in-1 card reader
D-Sub, HDMI port
3 x USB 2.0 ports
6-cell Li-Ion battery
Both laptops come pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium. The CX420 comes with a 1GB DDR3 ATI Radeon HD5470 that should suffice your needs for gaming. That rig has a suggested retail price of Php35,995.
However, if you’re on a budget and don’t want a discreet graphics card but still looking to get a Core i3 laptop, the MSI CR420 is a more affordable option at only Php31,999. That’s about a 4 grand difference just for the Radeon HD5470.
Both units weight in at 2.2 kilograms (4.8lbs) so they’re not really that light to lug around. They’re more of a desktop replacement, IMO.
So far, there 2 models are among the cheapest in the Core i3 category (see our list of Core i3 laptops here) and should pose as a huge challenge to the competitors. More on this when we get the benchmark results for the Core i3 processor.
I bought MSI CX420x and it’s working great… i haven’t gotten any problems yet…. The only problem is the battery. It comes with 6-cell battery for now, w/c will give you max 3 hours [if you are not using any apps that will consume a lot of power like photoshop or running games]. There is an option for 9 cell battery if you would like to have a much longer hours after charging. Yes i agree it has a button to switch from dedicated to onboard graphics.
un cx420 q rin ayaw gumana ng bluetooth pkitulungan po q…. d q po xure kung built in ang bluetooth n2 or not…tnx
May issue pa sa Graphics.. Naghang ang laptop ko kpag nag install me ng Ati Graphics Driver.. But i think soon mareresolve n rin 2 ng community.. Im using Lucid Lynx.. Gud day!!
@Mike
Tanong lang Sir, ubuntu main OS mo? Gumagana pa ba yung switchable graphics or yung ATI na lang? Thanks in advance!
optional nga tlga ung bluetooth?
kc ayaw gumana ng bluetooth ko, so ung pag bili ko pla ng laptop na to msi cr420, hindi kasama ung bluetooth pero meron ako hotkey ng bluetooth sa f9 at meron din light dpat na kulay blue sa baba ng touch
hi im planning to buy my first laptop..and i like this cx420x…im still a noob when it comes to specs of a laptop but for sure a built in mic is there in the cx420x right?im comparing cx420x from acer aspire 4725z and im still confused what to buy…can you guys pls help me out?
I’ve installed Street Fighter IV!! It is playable with cx420!!! Yeah!!
My battery is working fine! Im very satisfied.. (“,)
i’m not satisfied w/ cx420 battery life & GPU..2 hours battery life?
Hi would you know if the cx420 will play the sims 3? or i would be able to play this game even with a lower video card?
what laptop would you recommend for this game? im not really a gamer but i just would like a laptop that would play the sims decently.
Thanks!!!
Sa SM Megamall ako bumili sa Cyberzone.. Hanapin mo ung mismong MSI na store..
Gud day!!!
Try nyo ito guys site na ito may pricelist sila laptops dun dami ka pagpipilian PCCORNER.com.ph ayaw ko bumili sa mall masyado mahal ang patong eh hope nakahelp me sa inyo guys ^_^ GO MSI!!!! hehehe
Guys meron sa PC CORNER i think mas mura siya CX420 dun 31,000 or 32,000 not sure pero naglalaro lang sa price na ganun try nyo sa Gilmore dami dun lappies ^_^, I’m Also planning to buy CX420 ganda kasi Specs and Designs pasok sakin kaso issue lang daw is plastic yun case is it true ba na nagbebend and plastic nya or case nun sa palm malapit sa sticker? please need advice thanks
Of course it works with Windows XP. There are drivers on the official MSI Website.
oh yeah the Asus has a cheesier name but what stopped me from buying it is that it has no mic in meaning you always have to use the built in mic at the screen when talking online..camera quality on the asus is crappy,only 0.3 mp..truly not ideal for common travellers like me,that’s why i chose this one.
mike san mo binili yung cx420 mo? im planning to buy one, where can i get the cheapest one? without OS. thanks
Hello Ook,
Ang bili ko sa laptop ko ay 32k without OS sya.. Im using Ubuntu and win7 inside vbox..
Maybe ung sau ay through card kya 36k.. Cash kc ung sa kin..
Good day!!
Hi Mike,
How much did you get yours for? Did it come pre-installed with Windows 7. I got mine for 36k but with no OS.
Ok ang MSI CX420, I’ve been using mine for a month now and so far no problem, I played l4d2 and works fine with mid settings.
Yup drivers are only for windows7 32/64 bit, medyo hindi lang ako comfortable sa keyboard design, other than that wala na talaga issues, bang for the buck talaga!
I heard they just recently released here the i5 variant of cx420.
Gamit ko MSI cx420, Ok sya kc sa tulad ko na heavy user ndi sya nagkkproblem..