Soaring or Sinking? The Untold Story of Airlines Weathering Japan’s Perfect Storm

A massive winter storm wreaked havoc across the United States on Wednesday, causing widespread flight cancellations and severe traffic disruptions. FlightAware, a flight tracking service, recorded nearly 6,000 cancellations on Tuesday, with more expected on Wednesday. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport experienced a two-hour shutdown due to ice, impacting air travel operations. American Airlines faced challenges in Dallas, where high winds made it unsafe for de-icing employees to work.

Chicago O’Hare reported delays exceeding two hours, with United Airlines planning around 300 cancellations in anticipation of increasing snowfall in the afternoon. The storm, affecting a significant portion of the U.S. population, brought blizzard conditions from the southern Plains to the upper Midwest, paralyzing transportation and threatening record snowfall.

The National Weather Service issued storm alerts in over 30 states and blizzard warnings for eight, including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. Moderate to heavy snowfalls, ranging from 8 to 15 inches, were forecasted for the central and northern Midwest, with some areas expecting up to 20 inches. Chicago anticipated accumulations of up to 2 feet, while the U.S. Northeast faced the possibility of 12-18 inches of snow in Boston by Wednesday.

After the snowfall subsides, affected regions are expected to experience freezing temperatures until the weekend, accompanied by dangerous wind chills. While Wall Street operated normally on Tuesday, officials made preparations for potential disruptions on Wednesday due to hazardous icing.

The federal government in Washington granted unscheduled leave or telecommuting options for workers on Tuesday due to treacherous travel conditions. The storm prompted the Federal Emergency Management Association to deploy personnel and position essential supplies in eleven states, from Oklahoma to Rhode Island.

Agricultural operations in Plains states, particularly in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, faced significant threats to winter wheat crops, cattle herds, and grain deliveries. Meat processor Cargill announced production reductions at Midwest pork plants, while Chicago soybean futures rose over 1% due to increased feed demand.

The storm’s impact extended beyond transportation and agriculture, causing states of emergency in Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma. While the storm is not expected to significantly affect first-quarter U.S. economic growth, it poses additional challenges for state and local governments already grappling with budget constraints after a series of storms in January depleted snow removal budgets.

Soaring or Sinking? The Untold Story of Airlines Weathering Japan’s Perfect Storm Read More »

Flight Nightmare Unleashed: How a Monster Storm Shuts Down America!

United States — A massive winter storm wreaked havoc across the United States on Wednesday, causing widespread flight cancellations and severe traffic disruptions. FlightAware, a flight tracking service, recorded nearly 6,000 cancellations on Tuesday, with more expected on Wednesday. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport experienced a two-hour shutdown due to ice, impacting air travel operations. American Airlines faced challenges in Dallas, where high winds made it unsafe for de-icing employees to work.

Chicago O’Hare reported delays exceeding two hours, with United Airlines planning around 300 cancellations in anticipation of increasing snowfall in the afternoon. The storm, affecting a significant portion of the U.S. population, brought blizzard conditions from the southern Plains to the upper Midwest, paralyzing transportation and threatening record snowfall.

The National Weather Service issued storm alerts in over 30 states and blizzard warnings for eight, including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. Moderate to heavy snowfalls, ranging from 8 to 15 inches, were forecasted for the central and northern Midwest, with some areas expecting up to 20 inches. Chicago anticipated accumulations of up to 2 feet, while the U.S. Northeast faced the possibility of 12-18 inches of snow in Boston by Wednesday.

After the snowfall subsides, affected regions are expected to experience freezing temperatures until the weekend, accompanied by dangerous wind chills. While Wall Street operated normally on Tuesday, officials made preparations for potential disruptions on Wednesday due to hazardous icing.

The federal government in Washington granted unscheduled leave or telecommuting options for workers on Tuesday due to treacherous travel conditions. The storm prompted the Federal Emergency Management Association to deploy personnel and position essential supplies in eleven states, from Oklahoma to Rhode Island.

Agricultural operations in Plains states, particularly in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, faced significant threats to winter wheat crops, cattle herds, and grain deliveries. Meat processor Cargill announced production reductions at Midwest pork plants, while Chicago soybean futures rose over 1% due to increased feed demand.

The storm’s impact extended beyond transportation and agriculture, causing states of emergency in Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma. While the storm is not expected to significantly affect first-quarter U.S. economic growth, it poses additional challenges for state and local governments already grappling with budget constraints after a series of storms in January depleted snow removal budgets.

Flight Nightmare Unleashed: How a Monster Storm Shuts Down America! Read More »

SHOCKING Revelation: The Untold Truth About the Sudden Halt in Global Travel Trends!

United states — Since the 1970s, the volume of passenger travel by vehicles and airplanes has experienced significant growth in industrialized countries. The International Energy Agency had previously projected a continuous, albeit slower, expansion in travel until 2030 and beyond. However, a recent study conducted across eight industrialized nations reveals that passenger travel likely reached its zenith in the early 2000s, just before the notable surge in fuel prices. This development suggests a potential saturation point in the demand for travel, challenging previous expectations of escalating carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption.

The research, led by Lee Schipper from the University of California, Berkeley, and Adam Millard-Ball, a doctoral candidate at Stanford University, scrutinized travel patterns in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany, Japan, and Australia from 1970 to 2008. Their analysis encompassed various modes of transportation, including cars, pickup trucks, buses, planes, trains, light rail, streetcars, and subways, comparing the distance traveled per capita per year with each country’s gross domestic product per capita.

The study identified a correlation between rising prosperity and passenger travel from 1970 to 2003. After this period, passenger travel ceased its growth trajectory, even as GDP per capita continued to rise. At the peak of travel in the early 2000s, the GDP per capita was $37,000 in the US and ranged between $25,000 and $30,000 in the other seven countries. Subsequently, motorized travel in the US plateaued at around 26,000 km/year per person, 10,000 km/year per person in Japan, and between 13,000 and 17,000 km/year per person in the remaining six countries.

In recent years, the study noted a leveling off or decline in motorized travel demand in most of the countries analyzed, with a decrease in travel via private vehicles. Despite an increase in car ownership, these vehicles are being driven less frequently. The researchers attributed this travel plateau to various factors, including saturation in vehicle ownership, time constraints, high gas prices, and an aging population less inclined to commute.

A significant factor contributing to the observed travel plateau, according to the researchers, is traffic congestion. Lee Schipper emphasized that the limited road space in densely populated cities worldwide impedes further growth in car usage. While acknowledging the importance of fuel efficiency and hybrid vehicles in addressing emissions, Schipper highlighted that even zero-emission cars contribute to traffic problems.

One potential advantage of the apparent peak in travel is that if passenger travel remains stable while vehicles become more fuel-efficient, the challenge of reducing transportation emissions may be less daunting than previously anticipated. Presently, the average American car consumes one-third less fuel per mile than in 1973, despite consumer preferences for larger vehicles.

Despite the study’s findings not being conclusive, the researchers urge caution in assuming that travel demand will inevitably continue to rise. They recommend further research to refine our understanding of these trends and their implications.

SHOCKING Revelation: The Untold Truth About the Sudden Halt in Global Travel Trends! Read More »

Christmas Travel Nightmare: Airlines Cancel Hundreds of Flights, Cities Brace for Record Snowfall

In the midst of the holiday season, a rare white Christmas turned into a logistical challenge for many travelers across the Southern United States as airlines grappled with the need to cancel hundreds of flights due to unexpected snowfall. The situation unfolded against the backdrop of an unusual weather forecast, predicting snow in regions that don’t typically experience such wintry conditions.

The National Weather Service issued alerts for the Washington, D.C. region, anticipating a significant snowstorm with projections ranging from 6 to 10 inches beginning on Sunday. This wintry weather extended its reach to New York and Boston, where overnight temperatures were expected to drop into the 20s, accompanied by brisk wind gusts of up to 30 mph.

Airlines, such as Continental Airlines, were quick to respond to the impending weather challenges, preemptively canceling 250 flights departing from Newark Liberty International Airport near New York City. In a joint release, Continental and United Airlines acknowledged the likelihood of weather-related delays and cancellations, particularly at United’s hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and other northeastern airports. Both carriers demonstrated flexibility by waiving fees for one-time changes in affected areas, encouraging passengers to utilize online channels for making necessary adjustments.

While the South rarely experiences a white Christmas, the Carolinas saw a picturesque holiday landscape with snowfall in Asheville, N.C., extending to Raleigh and eventually reaching the coast. Winter storm warnings were issued, projecting up to six inches of snow in central North Carolina, more in the mountainous regions, and a lesser amount on the coast. South Carolina, too, braced for a transition from rain to snow after nightfall. This marked a historic event, being the first Christmas snowfall for the Carolinas since 1989 and a notable occurrence for Columbia, the first significant Christmas snow since weather records began in 1887.

Asheville faced particularly challenging conditions with heavy snowfall at a rate of about an inch per hour. Mountain roads became impassable for all but four-wheel drive vehicles, and the National Weather Service warned of the potential for up to 10 inches of snow by Sunday morning, surpassing the previous Christmas Day record set in 1969.

North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor, Walter Dalton, declared a state of emergency as the state’s Highway Patrol reported numerous calls, primarily accidents, due to snow and icy conditions. In the South Carolina Upstate, a mix of rain and light snow in the late afternoon did not immediately pose road problems, according to Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Bill Rhyne.

In Nashville, where travelers were anticipating smooth Christmas journeys, some were met with unexpected challenges. Flights, including those through Atlanta, were canceled, leaving passengers like Heather Bansmer and Shawn Breeding to spend much of Christmas Day in separate airports.

The impact of the rare white Christmas extended further up the Eastern Seaboard, with Delaware preparing for a substantial foot of snow. Winter storm warnings were issued in various parts of the state, with forecasts indicating accumulations of eight to twelve inches. Eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and its suburbs, braced for similar conditions, with predictions of 8 to 12 inches of snow, accompanied by strong winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts exceeding 40 mph. Authorities strongly advised against unnecessary travel, emphasizing safety precautions.

Emergency management officials in Washington, D.C., urged residents to prepare for the approaching snowfall. The D.C. transportation department initiated pre-treatment of roads, and the Metro system placed crews on standby to handle potential snow removal from rail station entrances and platforms.

As the snowstorm traveled south from the Midwest, motorists faced challenges on Christmas Eve. Winter weather advisories were in effect from western Tennessee to the Carolinas and from West Virginia to Alabama. Delta Air Lines, a major carrier, announced plans to cancel 500 weather-related flights nationwide, with a significant impact on the Atlanta hub. Passengers were notified in advance, resulting in relatively empty terminals as many chose not to risk travel.

Despite some skepticism and chuckles from passengers in Atlanta, where snowfall began Saturday afternoon, airlines like Delta and AirTran extended flexibility by waiving ticket-change fees for affected flights. The unpredictable weather also impacted cities like Pensacola, Florida, where Jena Passut faced uncertainties about her return trip amid the snow.

The unexpected white Christmas, with its logistical challenges and travel disruptions, unfolded against the backdrop of an overall increase in holiday travel. The Air Transport Association anticipated 44.3 million people on U.S. flights between December 16 and January 5, reflecting a 3 percent increase from the previous year. However, this remained below pre-recession travel volumes. The AAA predicted a 3 percent rise in overall holiday travel, with more than 92 million people planning trips of more than 50 miles by January 2, with the majority opting for driving.

Christmas Travel Nightmare: Airlines Cancel Hundreds of Flights, Cities Brace for Record Snowfall Read More »

High-Fly Drama: Spirit Airlines Soars into Uncharted Territory with Pilot Strike!

UAL Corp.’s United Airlines has made headlines with a monumental announcement on Monday, unveiling plans for a merger with Continental Airlines in a transformative deal valued at $3.2 billion. This strategic move solidifies the position of the newly-formed entity as the largest airline globally, a title previously held by Delta Air Lines after its merger with Northwest Airlines in 2008.

The amalgamated company, flying under the United banner and featuring the Continental logo, is poised to become a formidable force in the airline industry, projecting an impressive annual capacity to serve over 144 million passengers and connect to 370 destinations spanning 59 countries. The merger, hailed as a strategic maneuver to navigate the ever-evolving and fiercely competitive airline landscape, aims to leverage the complementary strengths of both carriers.

Jeff Smisek, the Chief Executive Officer of Continental, underscored the synergies between the two companies, stating, “Continental is strong where United is weak; United is strong where Continental is weak. Putting these two carriers together is a match made in heaven.” The sentiment resonates with the notion that the union is poised to address operational gaps and enhance overall efficiency.

Under the terms of the agreement, Continental shareholders stand to receive 1.05 shares of United common stock for each share of Continental common stock they hold. The ownership structure post-merger is expected to tilt in favor of United shareholders, who will command approximately 55% of the combined entity, leaving Continental shareholders with around 45%.

Forecasts for the merged company include robust annual revenues of $29 billion and ambitious cost-saving targets ranging between $1 billion and $1.2 billion over the next three years. The financial stability and improved performance of United, evidenced by a narrower first-quarter loss of $82 million and a notable 15% increase in revenue to $4.2 billion, have played a pivotal role in shaping the negotiations.

Assuming regulatory approval, the merged airline will be headquartered in Chicago, the current base of United, with Houston set to serve as its largest hub, reflecting Continental’s existing headquarters. The holding company will adopt the moniker United Continental Holdings, while the airline brand itself will retain the familiar United Airlines name. Jeff Smisek is slated to lead the newly consolidated company as its CEO.

Addressing concerns about potential fare increases, Glenn Tilton, UAL’s CEO, emphasized the competitive nature of the airline industry, stating that individual carriers do not unilaterally set airfares. Industry observers, however, speculate that the merger could impact pricing dynamics, particularly on international routes and flights to and from smaller cities, where the combined entity may exert more significant pricing control.

Despite potential challenges, industry consultants express overall support for consolidation within the airline sector, citing the necessity for a financially stable industry to best serve the needs of consumers. Recent discussions between United and Phoenix-based US Airways hint at further consolidation possibilities, although analysts caution that the likelihood of additional mergers may hinge on the trajectory of fuel prices, which could exert additional pressure on the industry. The evolving landscape of the airline sector promises both challenges and opportunities, with this historic merger poised to shape the future of air travel on a global scale.

High-Fly Drama: Spirit Airlines Soars into Uncharted Territory with Pilot Strike! Read More »

A Billion-Dollar Love Affair: United and Continental Merge to Dominate the Skies!

New york — UAL Corp.’s United Airlines has made headlines with a monumental announcement on Monday, unveiling plans for a merger with Continental Airlines in a transformative deal valued at $3.2 billion. This strategic move solidifies the position of the newly-formed entity as the largest airline globally, a title previously held by Delta Air Lines after its merger with Northwest Airlines in 2008.

The amalgamated company, flying under the United banner and featuring the Continental logo, is poised to become a formidable force in the airline industry, projecting an impressive annual capacity to serve over 144 million passengers and connect to 370 destinations spanning 59 countries. The merger, hailed as a strategic maneuver to navigate the ever-evolving and fiercely competitive airline landscape, aims to leverage the complementary strengths of both carriers.

Jeff Smisek, the Chief Executive Officer of Continental, underscored the synergies between the two companies, stating, “Continental is strong where United is weak; United is strong where Continental is weak. Putting these two carriers together is a match made in heaven.” The sentiment resonates with the notion that the union is poised to address operational gaps and enhance overall efficiency.

Under the terms of the agreement, Continental shareholders stand to receive 1.05 shares of United common stock for each share of Continental common stock they hold. The ownership structure post-merger is expected to tilt in favor of United shareholders, who will command approximately 55% of the combined entity, leaving Continental shareholders with around 45%.

Forecasts for the merged company include robust annual revenues of $29 billion and ambitious cost-saving targets ranging between $1 billion and $1.2 billion over the next three years. The financial stability and improved performance of United, evidenced by a narrower first-quarter loss of $82 million and a notable 15% increase in revenue to $4.2 billion, have played a pivotal role in shaping the negotiations.

Assuming regulatory approval, the merged airline will be headquartered in Chicago, the current base of United, with Houston set to serve as its largest hub, reflecting Continental’s existing headquarters. The holding company will adopt the moniker United Continental Holdings, while the airline brand itself will retain the familiar United Airlines name. Jeff Smisek is slated to lead the newly consolidated company as its CEO.

Addressing concerns about potential fare increases, Glenn Tilton, UAL’s CEO, emphasized the competitive nature of the airline industry, stating that individual carriers do not unilaterally set airfares. Industry observers, however, speculate that the merger could impact pricing dynamics, particularly on international routes and flights to and from smaller cities, where the combined entity may exert more significant pricing control.

Despite potential challenges, industry consultants express overall support for consolidation within the airline sector, citing the necessity for a financially stable industry to best serve the needs of consumers. Recent discussions between United and Phoenix-based US Airways hint at further consolidation possibilities, although analysts caution that the likelihood of additional mergers may hinge on the trajectory of fuel prices, which could exert additional pressure on the industry. The evolving landscape of the airline sector promises both challenges and opportunities, with this historic merger poised to shape the future of air travel on a global scale.

A Billion-Dollar Love Affair: United and Continental Merge to Dominate the Skies! Read More »

Downtown Transformation or Economic Risk? The Hotel Pere Marquette Dilemma Unveiled!

The Hotel Pere Marquette celebrated its grand opening on January 16, 1927, amidst the vibrant Roaring ’20s, characterized by flappers, the iconic Charlie Chaplin, and robust national economic growth.

Fast forward to today, the 83-year-old Downtown hotel is facing a significant challenge – a reconstruction effort during an economic recession not witnessed by the hospitality industry since the Great Depression.

Bob Marx, the executive director of the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, referred to the Pere Marquette as “the little engine that could.” While possessing the determination to thrive, the hotel, like many others, is dependent on external support to weather the economic storm. Without substantial investment, the Pere Marquette is anticipated to encounter considerable difficulties.

The crucial decision lies with the Peoria City Council in the upcoming weeks – whether to revive the hotel to its former glory or if the associated costs pose too great a risk for taxpayers. A crucial step in this process is a vote on a contract with consultants HVS, who will conduct a market study for the proposed Marriott Hotel plan. The cost of this study is capped at $15,000.

Initially, in December 2008, the council greenlit a $102 million redevelopment plan for the Pere Marquette, transforming it into a high-quality Marriott Hotel. Public bonds of nearly $40 million were allocated to support the comprehensive project. However, the economic recession intervened, stalling financing for 1½ years. Now, the hotel’s developer, Gary Matthews of EM Properties, claims to have the necessary commitments to move forward.

Nevertheless, plans have been adjusted, featuring a scaled-down Phase 1 with 401-405 high-quality hotel rooms, down from the original 475. Matthews is optimistic about the potential addition of 100 more rooms in the next “two to three years” post-construction.

City officials, such as Marx, are hopeful that the Marriott’s success will attract investors interested in upgrading or purchasing the Holiday Inn City Centre, thereby enhancing the overall hotel landscape in Downtown Peoria.

Despite the challenges posed by the current economic climate, the Peoria Marriott project aims to address the shortage of high-quality hotel rooms. Marx is actively exploring opportunities within the industry to generate interest in further developments, envisioning a Downtown Peoria with 600 to 800 high-quality rooms.

The hotel industry is facing substantial hurdles nationwide, with revenue plummeting by up to 40% due to the recession and reduced business and convention activities. Real estate development, especially in the hotel sector, is deemed challenging and risky.

Similar struggles are evident in other cities, like Chicago, where overdevelopment has led to bankruptcies and closures of several hotels. The recession’s impact is pervasive, influencing occupancy rates for older hotels, including those in Downtown Peoria.

Critics of Matthews’ plan argue that, given the low occupancy rates and the prevailing economic uncertainties, constructing a $102 million structure backed by taxpayer bonds may not be prudent. Alternative proposals, such as connecting the Pere Marquette with the Holiday Inn City Centre via a skywalk, have been presented, but reception has been lukewarm.

The fate of the Pere Marquette and its transformation into a Marriott Hotel hinges on the decisions of the Peoria City Council, as they navigate the complexities of revitalizing the hotel amidst economic challenges.

Downtown Transformation or Economic Risk? The Hotel Pere Marquette Dilemma Unveiled! Read More »

MSI GT740-021UK – 17in Gaming Laptop Review

MSI is one of those companies that can be counted on to release a new gaming laptop with every major hardware revision. It’s also generally very good value for money without being hampered by ODM designs like Rock or Novatech. When we looked at the company’s previous MSI GT627-246UK, the only real issues keeping it from a Recommended award were its somewhat unbalanced specification and unattractive design. Now let’s look at the MSI GT740-021UK, a similarly priced 17-inch gaming laptop, to see if it fixed these bugs.

MSI GT740 021UK 17in Gaming Laptop Review

A decent value at first glance. A powerful Intel Core i7 quad-core CPU, a generous 640GB hard drive, Blu-ray drive and nVidia GeForce GTS 250M graphics card are all provided for just over £1,300. MSI even includes a decent backpack and a 1600 DPI gaming mouse to further increase the value – more on that in our GT627 review.


MSI has also made some subtle changes to the exterior design. Gone is the ugly red hinge area of ​​previous models, replaced with an all-black lid and red trim, making for a far more coherent, less distracting exterior. We also like the brushed metal finish, which is both stronger and requires less maintenance than the glossy plastic lids found on so many laptops.

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Unfortunately, all that good work comes to naught when you open the laptop. MSI’s continued use of garish and cheap-looking bright red plastic really doesn’t add to the device’s looks, especially when combined with the discordant blue backlight for the power button and touch controls. There are a few comfort crumbs, like the slim, non-reflective display bezel and comfy palm rest with metal sockets, but overall the GT740’s design is more tolerable than admirable.
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This discomfort is well illustrated by the touch controls, housed in an unattractive bar above the keyboard. These buttons include the usual playback controls, as well as separate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi switches and a handy custom application launch shortcut. There is also a shortcut to launch the 2.0 megapixel webcam. Despite the ugly looks, the blue backlit controls are well spaced and responsive, with no annoying beeps to spoil the experience.


We’ve never been big fans of MSI’s keyboard layouts and the GT740 does nothing to mitigate that. Even though it includes a full number pad, the layout feels cramped, which is entirely unnecessary as there’s plenty of free space on either side. Our real complaint, however, concerns the company’s insistence on having the “Fn” key outside of “Ctrl” – an anomaly that most manufacturers can avoid.

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It’s a pity that the keyboard is excellent in terms of feedback. Each well-spaced key has just the right amount of travel with a nice, defined click, making both typing and gaming a really enjoyable experience.

Just as it harks back to earlier times with its non-chiclet keyboard, MSI also seems to be stuck in the past with the touchpad, which doesn’t support multi-touch. Mind you, it’s hardly an essential feature, and at least the ergonomy of the sensitive pad matches that of the keyboard. Its matte finish is very pleasant to the touch and its metal-etched keys, while a little stiff, have a defined click.

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Connectivity is excellent. For internet and networking tasks there’s a 56K modem (still essential for a few unfortunate souls) and gigabit ethernet along with Wireless-N Wi-Fi and Bluetooth V2.1 plus EDR on the wireless side. Three standard USB 2.0 ports are complemented by a dual USB/eSATA port. There’s even mini FireWire for those who still use it.


The rear features both VGA and HDMI outputs for video, while no fewer than four 3.5mm audio jacks cater for 7.1 digital or analog audio. Thankfully, they’re now tastefully finished in black rather than the garish colors of previous MSI gaming laptops. A memory card reader and 54mm ExpressCard slot round out the picture, while the optical drive is taken over by the aforementioned Blu-ray ROM and DVD+/-RW combo drive.

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However, despite the inclusion of this high-resolution DVD sequel, you cannot enjoy Blu-rays in Full HD (1080p) without an external monitor or TV, as the 17-inch screen has a 1,680 x 1,050 (16:10 aspect ratio) native resolution . A logical choice considering the relatively weak graphics.


Whatever your opinion on the matter, overall the screen is good. There is little to no sign of backlight bleeding or banding, color reproduction is punchy and consistent, and very sharp. Black details are also good, but at the expense of white purity. This compromise makes sense for a computer designed for movies and games. Viewing angles are also surprisingly good, almost on par with the Dell Studio XPS 16 and its RGB LED backlit display.

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Although the GT740 has four speakers, they don’t quite match the performance of its display as they lack bass (despite a dedicated subwoofer) and tend to distort slightly at maximum volume. If you stay below this maximum, the speakers still produce a relatively deep and wide soundstage. You’ll get better quality with decent headphones or speakers, but they’re serviceable and occasionally impressive.

With a good display and an ergonomic keyboard, the GT740 has the key outside ingredients for a decent slot machine, but how does its inside hold up? Like every other Core i7 laptop we’ve looked at, the GT740 features the relatively low-end 720QM, which has a core clock speed of just 1.6 GHz. However, depending on the load and how many cores are being used, this CPU will clock up to 2.8GHz, so the stock speed is a bit misleading. In fact, the 720QM won’t have the slightest problem with any game currently on the market or in the near future.


It’s backed by the usual 4GB of DDR3 RAM, although unfortunately MSI still ships a 32-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium that won’t take full advantage. On the other hand, the hard drive equipment is unusually generous with a single 640 GB drive. We suspect this is a new addition to this laptop as the MSI website still lists the maximum capacity of the GT740 range as 500GB. Unfortunately, however, this means that the drive spins at 5,400 rpm and not the faster 7,200 rpm that’s common on gaming laptop hard drives.

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As always, the most important consideration with any slot machine is the graphics card. Unfortunately, in most manufacturers’ minds, plugging in a Core i7 CPU seems to excuse the use of a relatively low-end graphics card – the most popular choice being a 1GB nVidia GeForce GTS 250M, as also found in the Toshiba Qosmio X500-10T .
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As we’ve seen on several occasions, the GTS 250M doesn’t really offer the gaming performance that one would want from a gaming laptop. This shortcoming is reflected in the price, of course, but in some respects the GT740 is more of a multimedia gaming laptop than a thoroughbred gaming machine.


But that doesn’t mean it’s incapable. Our entry-level gaming test, Trackmania Nations Forever, presented no particular hurdle and registered 117 fps in our standard run. The more demanding STALKER: Call of Pripyat benchmark, on the other hand, returned a reasonable average of 46.8 fps across its four tests. However, so that we can compare the results, these tests are run at a lower resolution than the GT740’s native and only at medium detail settings, highlighting the compromises required to play modern games.

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To support this point, we tested the GT740 with Crysis and it didn’t fare well. In DirectX10 with medium details and the native resolution of 1680×1050, for example, the GT740 only managed a barely playable 23.5 fps – we had to reduce this to 1280×1024 to get over 30 fps. To put things in perspective, the Scan 3XS i3 OC-PC, which was almost half the price when we tested it in January, offered such frame rates at high detail and anti-aliasing enabled. If you’re looking for gaming, laptops still offer poor value for money.

If gaming performance is only okay, the GT740 surprises with excellent battery life results. In fact, it offers some of the best performance we’ve seen from a gaming laptop, lasting almost three hours in MobileMark 2007’s Productivity segment thanks to its 7,800 mAh (85 Wh) nine-cell battery. DVD playback at 100 percent brightness was less impressive, but still more than enough to watch most movies at an hour and a half.

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Ultimately, that’s not the yardstick by which we judge a gaming laptop, and despite the extras (backpack and mouse) and generous two-year warranty, even MSI can’t boast of superior value. A new version of the Qosmio X500 we reviewed, the Qosmio X500-11M is now available for £1,399 and offers comparable overall specs and a faster GTS 360M GPU. It might have a smaller hard drive and its screen probably won’t be as good, but if you can get over the glossy overall finish, it offers a Full HD resolution and an extra inch of viewable screen, a backlit keyboard with a superior layout, and a multi -Touch touchpad, not to mention the best laptop speakers.
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If you don’t mind a smaller display, you should also consider the 15.6-inch Novatech X70. The faster GTX 260 graphics card and Full HD screen only cost £50 more, although the battery life, speakers and keyboard will be far inferior to the previous two machines.
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verdict


While the MSI GT740-021UK offers decent value for a mobile gaming machine and an excellent screen combined with impressive battery life, it is let down by a cumbersome keyboard layout, underperforming graphics card and 32-bit operating system.

MSI GT740 021UK 17in Gaming Laptop Review
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Unlike other websites, we thoroughly test every laptop we review over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to properly compare features. We will always tell you what we find. We never accept money to rate a product.

Learn more about how we test in our Ethics Policy.

Used as our main laptop during the period

Tested for at least a week

Consistent benchmarks used for fair comparisons to other laptops

Verified against recognized industry benchmarks and real-world usage

points in detail

  • performance 7

  • draft 5

  • value 7

  • functions 9

  • battery life 7

MSI GT740-021UK – 17in Gaming Laptop Review Read More »