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MSI GS65 Stealth Thin games with slim style

This gaming laptop is all business in the back and a party up front.

Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Lori Grunin
MSI GS65
1 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Brown and copper

This photo really doesn't do the laptop justice; it's a rich, warm brown with shiny copper accents.

MSI GS65
2 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Color

This looks a lot closer to the color of the laptop.

MSI GS65
3 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Size

At 4.1 pounds, the GS65 is relatively light for a 15-inch model.

MSI GS65
4 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Right side connections

Connections on this side are USB Type-A, USB-C/Thunderbolt, HDMI and power.

MSI GS65
5 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Left side connections

On the left are an Ethernet jack, two USB Type-A connections and individual mic and heaphone jacks.

MSI GS65
6 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Keyboard

The keycaps are large, but flat and somewhat slippery. The mousepad is large and well-placed, though.

MSI GS65
7 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Copper accents

it's a nice touch on the touchpad, but backlighting would be even better.

MSI GS65
8 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Hinge

There are only hinges on the sides of the display, but they have sufficient tension to hold the screen at whatever angle you want.

MSI GS65
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MSI GS65
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Backlight

While the per-key RGB lighting is nice, a lot of the presets are just there to look pretty rather than being functional.

MSI GS65
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Stylish but staid

You'd be comfortable bringing it into meetings.

MSI GS65
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Profile

It's reasonably thin for a gaming system.

MSI GS65
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Speakers

The speakers sit at the top of the keyboard.

MSI GS65
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A different view of the keyboard

MSI GS65
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MSI's Dragon Center

MSI GS65
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Thin bezels

The GS65 is one of the new breed of gaming laptops with thin bezels on the display.

MSI GS65
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Keyboard

The chiclet keys don't have a ton of travel, but they have enough.

MSI GS65
18 of 18 Sarah Tew/CNET

Color profiles

MSI's True Color utility gives you quite a bit of control over the colors and other display-related settings.

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