Review MSI Megabook S262
MSI continues the successful history of the small smart sub-notebooks S260 and S270 with the Megabook S262. Like already its predecessors the S262 is equipped with a graceful designed and resistant magnesium case, but beyond that contains a high performance Core duo processor.
Case
The case of the S262 is completely identical with the case of the S270. The design convinces with elegant modesty, but nevertheless sets gentle accents with the design of the hinges and the battery.
Like already the S260/270 the S262 is also presented in the colors anthracite coal and white, and is completely manufactured by magnesium. The advantage of the magnesium case is an extremely solid construction, which additionally is stiff against torsions. It permits to carry the notebook lively with one hand through a room without the problem of flexing and crunching.
The workmanship of the notebook is ok except a few negative details. If you press upon the chassis crunching can arise in certain areas. The moreover somewhat different gap dimensions of construction modules were noticeable. However both problems are not really disturbing and probably many users will not notice it.
The Megabook S262 is equipped with a classical double hook sealing system, which works without problems and which closes the notebook cleanly. It should be possible to draw the slidegate easier, it is somewhat difficult to slide.
The connections of the laptop concentrate on the right side except the audio ports and the Firewire connection (front) as well as a USB port (left side). Particularly righthanded people could be impaired in the freedom of movement when steering the mouse when using several ports.
In addition it is to be marked that the S262 exhibits only a VGA exit, but no video exit.
Our test sample was equipped with 2200 mAh Li-ion battery. Additionally there is a 4400 mAh battery available, which raises the entire Megabook at the back somewhat upward due to its design. You can see this well in the photos of the reviews of the MSI Megabook S260 and the MSI Megabook S270.
- Interfaces Front
- Interfaces Right Side
- Interfaces Left Side
- Interfaces Back
Input Devices
- Keyboard/Touchpad
The keyboard can be handled well. The entire width of the Megabook S262 has been used for a clear arrangement and all important keys got a reasonable size. The space bar is positioned somewhat too far on the right side for my taste, since the thumb of my left hand misses that key often.
After overcoming the clear pressure point, the keys intercept the force gently and springily, and click at the way decently. Problems with the responding of keys could not be determined. Also the implementation of the keyboard in the case is perfect, in some areas the keyboard flexes with pressure.
The touchpad of the S262 remained without remarkablenesses, and is characterised by a good responding and a good sliding surface. The pertinent keys need more pressure for a response and are somewhat too small processed.
The MSI Megabook S262 offers 4 additional keys. Internet Browser, Mail Client and WLAN-switch as well as a key with a magnifying glass symbol (zoom?). The last mentioned key was not occupied by any function. These 4 keys are arranged above the keyboard in the center.
The handling of the WLAN key can be confusing at the beginning, since repeated pressing switches between different modes (WLAN off, WLAN on, WLAN+Bluetooth, WLAN off, Bluetooth on, etc.). A control lamp with changing colours at the frontal border gives feedback.
Display
- Color Diagram of the MSI Megabook S262
Subjectively the WXGA x-black display works well with a resolution of 1280x800. Brightness and illuminating seem to be ok. The S262 contains like its predecessors a reflecting 12.1 inch widescreen display.
The measurement of the brightness resulted in a maximally measured value of good 177.1 cd/m² in the center of the display. The illuminating amounted to average 79.1%.
| 140,2 cd/m² | 151,7 cd/m² | 144,1 cd/m² |
| 148,0 cd/m² | 177,1 cd/m² | 146,7 cd/m² |
| 140,1 cd/m² | 147,3 cd/m² | 147,2 cd/m² |
With the test of susceptibility for creation of streaks by means of the Pixperan readability test we could achieve level 7, which is a result slightly above the average.
The diagram of the color representation shows a deviation of the blue color curve, which results in a somewhat warmer color representation (red tones accentuated more).
The Megabook S262 shows a good stability with viewing angles. Only a slight deviation in the vertical range leads to an impairment of the readability. A view from below results in a too strong deviation in the vertical range, which leads to an impairment of the legibility. Here the brightness decreases rapidly. Also the mirroring surface of the display is disturbing.
Performance
The core duo processor is guarantee for good performance data in applications. The Megabook S262 is content with the integrated graphics solution Intel GMA 900, which anyway is sufficient for a subnotebook.
The access time of the implemented hard disk is slightly above the average.
- Benchmark Comparison 3DMark05
- Benchmark Comparison PCMark04
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| 3DMark06 in comparison | ||
| Review Sony Vaio VGN-TX2XP/B (min) | 49 | |
| ... | ||
| Review Lenovo 3000 V100 | 112 | |
| Review Asus R1F | 118 | |
| Review MSI Megabook S262 | 118 | |
| Review Toshiba Satellite L100-120 Notebook | 119 | |
| Review Fujitsu-Siemens Lifebook C1410 | 119 | |
| ... | ||
| Review Alienware Area-51 m9750 Notebook (max) | 7472 | |
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|
| PCMark05 in comparison | ||
| Review Samsung Q30 (min) | 861 | |
| ... | ||
| Review Apple MacBook 13 inch | 2726 | |
| Review Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo Pa2510 Notebook | 2731 | |
| Review MSI Megabook S262 | 2741 | |
| Review Dell Inspiron 6400 | 2746 | |
| Review Bullman AERO 5cen | 2859 | |
| ... | ||
| Review Asus G1S Notebook (max) | 5568 | |
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Quake 3 Arena The average results of the timedemo demo1 were 107,2 frames per second (fps) |
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Emissions
Warmth
The temperature emissions remain in the idle operation without considerable remarkablenesses. With continuous load the right part of the Megabook, the keyboard and the areas near the air entrances and exits heat up clearly.
- Temperatures at the Top
- Temperatures at the Bottom
Volume
Without load the S262 worked without fan and remained pleasantly quiet. In the normal operation with Internet and Office the fan worked with maximally level 1, which lies with measured 32.9 dB still in the pleasant range.
There exists a zone between switched off fan and level 1, in which the fan switches on and off frequently. The volume of the fan does not disturb much, but already rather the frequent change between on and off.
- Diagramm Geräuschkulisse
Measured Volumes
Environment: 29,5 dB
Idle, fan off: 31,3 dB
Idle, fan off, +Hdd: 31,7 dB
Idle, fan level1: 32,9 dB
Fan level2: 36,1 dB
Fan max: 38,1 dB
DVD max.: 36,9 dB
Loudspeaker
The mini boxes integrated in the display work loudly, but the absence of any basses is obvious. Briefly said: sufficient, but headphones are recommended.
Battery Runtime
Our test sample was equipped with a battery with a weight of 200 gram and 2200 mAh capacity. To reach a corresponding extension of the runtime a twice heavier 4400 mAh Li-ion battery is available.
Battery Eater Readers test - corresponds about the maximum runtime
(min. brightness, WLAN off)
achieved battery runtime: 2h 40min
Battery Eater Classic test - corresponds about the minimum runtime
(all max., WLAN etc.)
achieved battery runtime: 48min
WLan Operation
(brightness max., WLan on)
achieved battery runtime: 2h 5min
DVD Wiedergabe
(max. brightness, WLan off)
achieved battery runtime: 1h 25min
Current Consumption
Minimum (all off or at minimum): 14,1 Watts
Idle (max. brightness): 22,7 Watts
Maximum (full load inkl. WLAN): 40,7 Watts
Verdict
- MSI Megabook S262
"speedy handbag"
Like already the S270 and S260 the Megabook S262 convinces due to its design of the case, the elegant colour and the high-quality magnesium case. Except some small problems, whereby particularly different gap dimensions are to be mentioned, the S262 is well finished.
The keyboard of the S262 is ok and also the display is ok, execpt the mirroring. The performance of the MSI Megabook S262 was outstanding with application-oriented benchmark tests. Responsible for it: a strong T2400 Core Duo processor with 1.83 Ghz.
Case temperature and noise emissions likewise remained tolerable.
The runtime of the test equipment sample with that 2200 mAh battery was ok, but not outstanding good. However, for "battery-junkies" there is a twice as large 4400 mAh battery available. We already tested it for the MSI S270 and MSI S260.
The MSI Megabook S262 is an elegant sub-notebook for the mobile user and works at the best without any cable.
