MSI's MegaBook L61OI lives up to its 'mega' moniker with a large 15.4-inch widescreen TFT, desktop CPU, excellent graphics and pumping audio. The model we looked at was a pre-production prototype notebook and as such was a little shaky and did not come with all the inclusions a final model will have. As a proof of concept, however, the notebook is quite good.
This review model came with a 2.4GHz desktop Pentium 4, 256MB of RAM and a 40GB hard drive. While not the most astounding specifications, where the MegaBook L61OI differentiates itself from other 15.4in widebooks we have tested is that this notebook is a Windows XP Media Center Edition-like model.
This does not mean it has Windows XP Media Center, but it has the next best thing: a Taiwanese 're-imagining' of Windows XP Media Center called MSI Media Center Deluxe III.
This application looks the same, acts the same, and is very much the same as Microsoft's Media Center except for a few special Taiwanese flourishes such as a 'Karaoke' menu item and a strictly utilitarian feel.
The Media Center Deluxe III application lets you browse and access media from the one simple menu-driven interface. An optional hardware extra is a TV tuner which enables both viewing and PVR functionality. Unfortunately, the model we tested did not come with the tuner. It did have an FM radio tuner, however, and although the aerial was missing on the prototype we were still able to tune in a few stations.
Which brings us to the audio on the MegaBook. The system features a SigmaTel C-Major audio chip and a very decent speaker set. The audio playback from MP3s and CDs is excellent for a notebook, and quite surprising considering most notebooks sound flat and tinny.
Furthermore, the notebook features a media player function where you can power on the optical drive, hard disk or FM tuner without having to open or power up the whole notebook. A highly classy coloured LCD status panel and front-mounted control buttons let you skip tracks, adjust volume and change usage modes.
One omission that seems quite an oversight is that there is no remote control to navigate Media Center Deluxe III when the notebook is powered, which is a shame because the whole interface screams for remote control.
At the time of going to press MSI could not yet confirm pricing details for this model, although by the time you read this models should be on the shelves. We'll keep you posted.