MSI CR400 Notebook Laptop Review and Feedback
I’ve been looking for my first notebook which can provide me my basic needs to work on since I really can’t work at home due to lots of temptation. The MSI Wind first caught my attention. It surely was on my crosshair since it isn’t that expensive and it can provide my basic needs. I think it over and realized that with blogging alone the MSI Wind surely can handle the job but what about multitasking between heavy applications like Dreamweaver and Photoshop working simultaneously? Maybe it can but it will definitely be slow which on the other hand can be a cause of being less productive and I’m short tempered when it comes to slow machine.
So I did research for a better laptop and I finally stumbled with the MSI CR400. A few more research and I found out it was a latest model which was recently released last July 2009 and CR400 was MSI’s first model for the C(classic) Series family. I haven’t found any reviews or feedbacks for the MSI CR400 since it was just released but it didn’t stop me for getting this model. For the specifications of it, you can read it on their official site.
So, How was the Notebook?
I have to say I was impressed by the design especially the glossy cover on the top and around the keyboard. Speaking of keyboard, its Ergonomics De-Stress (EDS) Keyboard feature can really be felt since the keys are responsive and much easier to type. My MSI CR400 was installed with Windows 7 RTM 32 bit and it works like a charm and fast. The battery comes with 6 cells and so far I enabled the Power Saver feature of Windows 7 + ECO mode of MSI. My estimated battery time with these two enabled is at least 2 – 4 hours while working. One thing that disappoints me though was the 2 driver discs which looks generic and the other one was on a recordable disc! Plus I have trouble installing the nVidia 8200M G. A little tip, download the video driver to their official site directly since the driver included won’t work. My mistake was I download at the nVidia homepage first for video driver which won’t install. Weird since this method usually works, I chose the right model and OS but still it won’t install. For your info, yes this can still play games but I’d rather not or minimize my gaming habit. This was my primary reason why I grabbed a notebook.
My final review and feedback for this laptop would be if you are looking for a good notebook at a fair price then this is a must buy. It surely can compete with other popular and expensive notebooks out there and MSI CR400 won’t disappoint you.
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congrats on your new lappy sir
can you post screenshot of your porn viewing ?
does it handle well ?????
yah msi cr400 really rocks, i hv bought my own last 2 weeks now.. im rely happy w/ ds release, d specs are awesome, and its very cheap compare compared 2 other brands,and its light (2kg only).. instaled 32bit ms vista ultimate w/ no hassle.. can play some hardcore games like fallot 3 w/ low-med graphics & powerful programs like adobe cs4.. overall im really satisfied 9/10.. peace!!
Sir, asa ka nakapalit ani? Please IM me the details. TY
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Hi Sir…
I have the following questions for your lappy…
1. Are there any other things that are hassle when you first installed the OS and the driver?
2. At how much did you buy the lappy?
3. Since that you have bought the lappy a month ago. are there any hassle in using the lappy? Are there any problems? like some buyers say that they have replaced their LCD and a problem with the NVIDIA video card.
Hoping to have a response from you since I’m considering to buy this lappy in a month…
You can post your answer in my I.M. My I.M. address is cosmic1987wanderer@yahoo.com
Regards…
@Cosmic1987
Thanks for dropping by, I emailed you about your inquiries. Hope it helps. Thanks!
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hi sir, I also heard bout certain problems with the NVIDIA graphic card of the MSI CR400.Im planning to buy a lappy this dec and im realy consdring to buy this laptop..may I ask whre did you bought yours nd how much did it cost. can you pls giv me info bout the pros and cons.
pls post your answers thru my email, ricky_iks@yahoo.com
hope to hve a response from you
tnx very much…
Hi iHenshin,
I have been looking for a review ’bout this laptop (msi cr400) and I am really glad you posted your review. I recently bought (about month ago) an hp dv2 and I was very disappointed with its performance. As I tell my friends… it was more of a beauty and LESS BRAINS, now I’m planning to sell it to a friend, even at a much lower price.
Sir, is msi cr400 really a good buy? how about there questions about the NVIDIA graphics, is it something serious? After using it for several months now, are you still very satisfied.
Hope to hear from you so I can decide whether this is a good replacement for what I bought…. Thanks…. Ciao!
@ikzferrera_ino
Thanks for dropping by. About the nVidia graphics yes it took me for awhile to find the driver for it but still i manage to research and get it. I don’t use it for gaming but the last time i tried Resident Evil 5and Left 4 Dead it runs but in a low settings. Aside from that, I don’t have other nVidia graphic problems. It cost 29,000php(Philippines).
@hapi
Thanks for dropping by too. After several months, yes i have no regret for this lappy. Just take care of it properly especially the battery, read it here.
PROS:
- i do like how it looks
- the Ergonomics De-Stress (EDS) Keyboard feature
- 2 – 3 hrs battery (i play movies/TV series or blogging or Photoshop/Dreamweaver usage)
- you can still play for this lappy, just don’t put Crysis on it lols.
- perfect for Windows 7
- larger and wider screen
- not too hot temps
CONS:
- to be honest i don’t have any complains about it. If I compare it with much expensive laptop with Operating System bundle, i can safely say it can compete with it and the only reason other laptops are expensive because of the OS bundle + the brand name. It can compete when it comes to performance.
Hope this helps. Thanks.
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Hi sir,
I would just like to ask if it runs Adobe After Effects CS4.
tnx very much sir..
@FlyffBladeMaster
I haven’t tried it with Adobe After Effects CS4 but judging from the system requirements, I think it can handle it. Thanks for dropping by.
* 1.5GHz or faster processor*
* Microsoft® Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (Service Pack 3 recommended) or Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise with Service Pack 1 (certified for 32-bit Windows XP and 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista)
* 2GB of RAM
* 1.3GB of available hard-disk space for installation, plus 2GB of space for optional content; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on flash-based storage devices)
* 1,280×900 display with OpenGL 2.0–compatible graphics card
* DVD-ROM drive
* QuickTime 7.4.5 software required to use QuickTime features
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sir, i just bought my cr400 yesterday and i have a question… is it true that this unit isn’t compatible with XP? i’m planning to install XP SP2 or SP3 when my Win7 trial expires…
@Emdee
Just bought my msi cr400 2 days ago. It is compatible with Windows XP, all you need to do is to run the setup of your laptop, disable AHCI (SATA mode), install your Windows XP then its all good.
All you have to do next is to enjoy your new laptop.
Good day!
@namp
Thanks for the info on how to install XP. I haven’t tried XP for this laptop since I use Windows 7 and I haven’t reformatted again since i use it.
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@iHenshin
I have a question. How do I activate my microphone, I can’t use it right now. Do you know what to do?
Thanks.
I bought this MSI CR400 notebook and it’s quite good.
the Good:
1. HD ready! (Wow!)
2. Keyboard is good!
3. Lightweight (relative to other laptops)
4. Nice crystal clear LCD display
The not so Good
1. Webcam cannot take pictures, only video
2. Touch pad is somewhat lacks sensitivity (maybe it can be set)
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The glossy back design of this netbook is truly awesome, looks sleek yet very sturdy at the same time
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i dont have problems sa mic. may recorder din kc ako. smooth naman yung audio.
new info guys, msi is realeasing free upgrade for windows 7. please visit thier site http://www.msi.com just make sure genuine ang OS nyu. windows 7 upgrade dvd will be delivered straight to your door for free.
u write things that makes me wanna buy this thing…ahahaha nice write… btw is it black or grey? =D
convince me guys coz im planning to buy a lappy this xmas and wat i need is a gaming lappy bcoz im into gaming,but i need the cheap lappy yet satisfied performance that last..
Thanks and Merry Xmas!!
hi iHenshin!
i have a question. im choosing between msi cr400 and msi pr200 (the inexpensive ones) whichever may suit my needs to study programming. do you think msi cr400 can run the following programs:
1. JDK + JRE
2. JAVA Netbeans (5.0 or 6.0M10)
3. VB express
4. C# express
5. Turbo C
6. Adobe – Photoshop
– Audition
7. MySQL 5.0
8. Test Server (Apacahe/TomCat)
9. GIMP
And is it really true that its webcam cannot capture pictures??
Thanks very much and Regards.
I have this laptop and its worth the money! It’s fast and pretty stylish. the only thing that I kinda don’t like is the video card. which can play latest games at low settings only. Do you think the graphics card can still be upgraded in some aspects even though it’s integrated? like the hybrid SLI technology? I have read somewhere that geforce 8200 supports SLI technology which can have 2 cards at a time. but I don’t know if it’s applicable to our laptop. :/
@rebecca
you can record videos on this lappy but don’t expect that it’ll be HD cause the cam is only 1.2 mega-pixels I think. I downloaded an MSI application called MSI Q-Face in which you can record videos
and yep you can run those programs you’re referring to. this laptop is actually a bang for the buck!
@vyer
thanks so much!!
im planning to see it personally maybe on the 27th.
thanks again!
@ namp.. I believe we have the same problem. I installed xp and could not use my mic on YM msngr.
How do I activate this? Please
did you have problems with the touchpad? how did u fix it.. im currently having trouble scrolling vertically.. thanks.. will wait for a reply..
sir,
i have troubles with this laptop )msi cr400;
1. when i install win XP SP2 i can’t sign in to yahoo or skype and after several shutdowns and restarts the computer can’t connect to the internet anymore. it;s so weird since i have had several laptops before which i already gave to my siblings, but this msi seem odd.
2 so, i took out xp and installed vista ultimate, almost everything seems to be working just fine except for the webcam. after signing to yahoo messenger and starting my webcam, it starts on the first attempt no problems, but when the internet connection fails or you accidentally turn the webcam off, the next time you turn it on there will be an error of webcam not connected. i have tried to download several updated drivers for the msi simple camera application and the bison webcam pro, but it doesn’t solve the problem.
3. to be fair also the unit is fast and the graphica are good its nice to play games and do photoshop jobs, but its got some issues with yahoo messenger.
hope you can help me with this.
thanks,
francis
sir,
i am using msicr400.,
i’ve encountered problems.,
some keys on the keyboard doesn’t work anymore.,
and the speakers on top of the keyboard too..,
i’ve checked the software of this two and it says that
it’s working properly..
and because of this msicr400 is now useless.,
i’m just using the onscreen keyboard while typing.,
and it’s time delaying.,
what should i do to make this work again??
please e-mail me at backspace_1291@yahoo.com
Thank you sir
i purchased cr400 last november and i never encountered any problems yet. I have a windows 7 ultimate and everything’s in good order. i’m not a fan of webcams so whether mine’s working or not, i cannot tell.
i have one question, though: how many icons can the max resolution display vertically? i can display 7 icons. i feel like my icons got “bigger” than when i had the windows 7 trial pre-installed. i reformatted it now because the trial expired and it seemed to me as if the icons got bigger even if i’m on max resolution and using the same supplied nividia graphics card.
hey im planning to purchase msi cr400
is ur laptop still working fine or have u encountered any problems
tell me about its battery backup;
is ur lap getting heated up easily,
any other problems please mention. .
of course its packed with loads of stuff im really puzzled to take tosiba or msi please reply soon
my email is ajayspi@yahoo.com reply me
Hi Sir,
Its me again…
May I ask, when you run the dxdiag of your windows 7, does it have “directx” tab…
Mine has only tabs for System, Display, Sound and Input…
thanks in advance…
Thanks to many people who have purchased CR400? Can any of you please tell me the price range of CR400 in Indian rupees?
hi, im having trouble with my CR400, it always go to Blue Screen when im using photoshop or even just by browsing the net.
the blue screen shows IRQL-NOT-EQUAL-OR-LESS.
help!!!
where did ya get the updatd driver for the VGA?
tjhanks
I bought a laptop MSI cr400 in feb 2010. For a couple of months it was awesome but now i’m having trouble with the LCD screen. It turns white the whole sh*t. The hell I have no idea why. I’m forced to turn it off and then turn it on again then everything’s back to normal. A few minutes after it goes “surprise! I’m whitey and you are…”. WTF! Now I’m selling this sh*t. I should have bought a Macbook – although it’s expensive but it could’ve been more worth it compared to MSI cr400 which has cheaper price and cheaper quality. Da*n!
same same problem, screen of my cr400 also become white many times while using it…
i read some forum and they also complaining the same screen problem…
where you buy your cr400???
I’m from cebu, philippines…bought my msi cr400 at SM (pc live)
SAME PROBLEM with LEO… screen becomes white many times while using it….have to press the power button to stand by then press again to work normally… then later it becomes white again.
Isn’t this a problem related to overheating hardware? or Video card (NVIDIA) problems?
Your help is appreciated.
hi to all,
Im from manila. Im using this laptop since january 2010.
No problem encountered at early use. But as the months go by,
I’ve encountered the same problem kagaya ng kay LEO and BRAVO.
The screen doesnt only turns white, but its like a TV where there is no signal , parang may static.
I dont know what the problem is. But as i isolate the problem but plugging it to a LCD Destop monitor di naman nag gaganun.
So the problem is on the coonection of LCD itself.
Sino may alam ng service center ng MSI?..I really need to fix this..
please send me a PM if you know a solution with this problem. Thanks.
This is my email: pbpaler@gmail.com
my msi cr400′s webcma doesn’t work >.> can somebody help me?
guys you may remove the grey sticker sa touch pad to increase sensitivity. i relocated my sticker sa bottom near sa serial key. no problem, sticker langyan.
its been a year since i bought my laptop. aniversary ng laptop ko 9/23/10
no problem so far, i just love my laptop. nadala ko pa nga to sa japan for 6 months eh. napakatibay talaga!
now mawawala na ung warranty ng laptop ko, pero meron na service center ng MSI dito sa SM cebu. anytime i can bring my troubled laptop there.
hi, ask ko lang how to reformat ung cr400 ko na laptop.. patapos na kc ung trial period and i’m not confident enough na magreformat since this will be the 1st time na magreformat aq. any help guys? i need to know the drivers etc. na kailangan q when reformating eh at ung mga software na kailangan. thanks!
yah msi cr400 really rocks, i hv bought my own last 2 weeks now;
nice working ………….till……..at moderate budget
really satisfied
HEAVY SOFTWARE LIKE
1.PHOTOSHOP
2.MATLAB
3.PSSE
ALSO WORKING NICE…………
NEVER ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM YET……………
Hello, guys! I have a problem with my msi cr400. Every time I switch it on, the screen does not switch on but I know that the computer is switched on because the indicator lights are lit up the way they normally would. It’s only the screen that does not switch on as if it is not connected or something. I have to try switching it on and off (by pressing the power button)and sometimes it takes me more than 20 times to do this before the screen would also switch on. Other than that, there is no other problem with my msi. And no, it is not Fn+F2 (toggle display). Do you know how i can solve this? Thanks a lot!
sir,
I have problem in my msi cr400 laptop, Whenever i try to install Bluetooth driver of this laptop it always tells me to “plug in bluethooth”, then I press “Fn+F9″ shortcut of bluetooth, then too the conditon is same..,
It would be great if u could help me,
apart that, laptop is superb,, never gets heated,,
To all those having screen problems with the cr400, I’ve had the same problem with mine too. You need to take it to the MSI service center and get them to fix that, specially if it’s still under warranty. I took mine to the MSI service center in Cubao here in Manila. I’ve forgotten what part was replaced, but it was either the inverter board or video cable.
sir/mame i hv also bought a msi cr400 series notbook.this time i m using windows7 home basis i want to know this os is good for me or not……..and how can i capture a snapshot with my webcam..tell me hurry pls…
FLEX PROBLEM – effect – white screen problem or static problem
pls check you flex..common for msi cr400 series
my cr400 started to hang lately, i was wondering why. then last night i saw my bro cleaning the fan and heatsink of his lappy and asked if he could do the same with mine. as it turned out, there were dust build-up already in it. it looked like a cake literally. after it was removed, my cr400 finally worked smoothly.
so piece of advise, clean your laptop regularly…lol
last year I bought my msi CR400 during the first use…it really works good…it did satisfies me with its specs and cheaper cost…but after a year of use it starts to have problem with my screen “it turns white when its on 90° but when u stretch the screen wider it on normal condition” I think its flex prob but after a few days with that prob. her comes again another prob. one time I try to turn it on but it did not….it never starts..I check the supply…the charger lights up…so it seems the charger works good…I decided to bring it to laptop repair shops then they say that the probs was in the motherboard…since the warranty covers only a year seems I wasted my thousand buying it…so my advice when u buy laptop choose the one with 2-3 year warranty..to cover up future un intentional internal deffects like that….ive researched and most prob.comes with motherboards after a year of usage…well are we going to acuse ourselves buyers with that kind of prob or the product maker…motherboards last only a year?? my laptops still looks so brand new but now it is not working anymore…..what a crap….msiCR400…am desposing it already…cause of internal deffects…in motherboard