By Robin Owens 8 days ago, Hardware
What are the best MSI gaming laptops in 2024?
Even though desktop computers remain the go-to option for most hardcore gamers, an ever-increasing part of them is looking more and more towards portable devices. A quality gaming laptop is a perfect answer, as it allows you to play even the most demanding AAA titles on a machine that can be easily taken with you.
Picking between different gaming laptops is even harder than choosing a PC since not only do you have to keep in mind all the technical specifications, but you have to look at the quality of the integrated keyboard and screen as well. If you’re interested in MSI products and want all the help you can get to pick and buy the best MSI gaming laptop available right now, check out the information below.
CPU: Intel® Core | GPU: NVIDIA® | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 9.38 pounds
⊕ Great colors
⊕ Screen offers a terrific 144Hz refresh rate
⊖ Subpar battery
This terrific MSI 15.6 gaming laptop offers a lot of power while not costing as much as some of the premium models you’ll find further down the list. Everything about this model screams midrange, but that isn’t a bad thing.
Even though you have to sacrifice some specs to get the reduced price, what is there is still enough to run most triple-A titles on high settings. Another surprisingly good feature of this model is the display. Thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate and fantastic colors, it allows you to enjoy a better image than most laptops, regardless of their price.
CPU: Intel Core i7 | GPU: NVIDIA | RAM: 8 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 4.10 lbs
⊕ NVidia RTX 2060 graphics card
⊕ 120Hz Full-HD display
⊕ DLSS 2.0 support
⊖ Plastic build
There are many arguments as to why the GF65 can be considered the best MSI gaming laptop out there, with the primary one being the graphical performance provided by the GTX GPU. It allows you to run your favorite titles in stunning Full-HD resolution while being fully immersed in the action.
This model also offers improved body-to-display ratio and thin bezels. Despite being presented in a slim, lightweight body, the GF65 still comes with a durable battery that will last you for hours of intense gaming action.
CPU: Intel® Core | GPU: NVIDIA | RAM: 8 GB | Storage: 256 GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 7.58 pounds
⊕ Pleasantly thin
⊕ Lightweight
⊖ Occasional performance issues
This MSI 15.6 gaming laptop is supplied with one of the most refined NVidia’s GTX graphics cards, making it the perfect choice for both casual and avid gamers. The system offers smooth performance even during intense shoot-outs in FPS games while being packed in a compact, light body.
The GF65 also has a brushed aluminum cover that makes the laptop both more stylish and sturdier. The combination of expert artisanship and powerful components allows you to enjoy an unforgettable gaming experience.
CPU: Intel® Core| GPU: NVIDIA | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 9.23 pounds
⊕ 144Hz screen
⊕ Individual backlight for each key
⊕ GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card
⊖ Several inputs issues
This is probably the best MSI gaming laptop if you’re looking for a relatively cheaper option that still offers premium specs. The Leopard is somewhat similar to the GS75 Stealth model, which is also covered in this review, providing outstanding performance with both its RTX 2070 GPU and CPU.
Other interesting features of this laptop include a convenient, backlit keyboard, slim build, and bezels as thin as you can make them without making the screen too fragile.
CPU: Intel® Core | GPU: NVIDIA® | RAM: 8 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Display: 14-inch | Weight: 2.62 lbs
⊕ Long battery life
⊕ Great performance
⊕ Creator Center
⊖ Not affordable
If you want to enjoy a game’s graphics the way they’re meant to be enjoyed thanks to NVidia's state-of-the-art GPU, or if you want a versatile MSI laptop that can also be used for video editing and graphic design – this is the option for you. Whether you need to run Fortnite, Adobe After Effects, or Photoshop, Modern 14 provides the power and functionality required.
It’s also packed with a durable battery, a single charge of which lasts for about 10 hours, allowing you to avoid the feeling of being tethered to the charger. Meanwhile, the True Color feature allows you to pick between multiple color modes to fit the specific task you’re doing.
CPU: Intel® | GPU: Nvidia | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1 TB | Display: 17.3-inch | Weight: 5.29 lbs
⊕ Thin, sleek build
⊕ Extremely lightweight
⊕ Satisfying CPU and GPU performance
⊖ Weird trackpad placement
If you want to get the best MSI 17.3 gaming laptop on the market, you have to be ready to pay for it. However, if you can afford to purchase the GS75, you will not regret it. This slim device can produce unbelievable graphics that will make any hardcore gamer sit on the edge of their seat in awe.
The GS75 has the perfect size to slide into your backpack while allowing you to set most modern games to ultra-settings. The included GPU even offers ray-tracing support, which is a feature that is being included in more and more AAA games, which are being released today.
CPU: Intel® Core™ | GPU: NVIDIA RTX™ | RAM: 32 GB | Storage: 1TB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 8.28 pounds
⊕ Thin screen bezels
⊕ Efficient cooling system
⊕ Lots of connectivity options
⊖ Lacks a card reader
One of the first features you’ll notice about this laptop is Windows Hello, which lets you log in using facial or fingerprint recognition. This is the perfect privacy solution in a world where passwords are being hacked more and more often. The P65 also offers premium design thanks to its grey and sandblasting texture.
The body of the laptop is made of aluminum, offering you the sturdiness you need while you run games on the highest settings thanks to the state-of-the-art NVidia graphics card that provides an unbelievable 12-x performance increase. The P65 is supplied with a 9-gen Intel Core i7 CPU that is useful for both gaming and multi-tasking.
CPU: Intel Core i7 | GPU: NVIDIA | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 4.19 Pounds
⊕ Outstanding performance when playing games in HD quality
⊕ Stunning, fast screen
⊕ Top-notch sound quality
⊖ Tends to heat up during gaming
MSI gaming laptops are known for their high quality and reliable hardware and the GS65 is no exception. This option provides an upgraded design in a smaller chassis while improving on the performance of its predecessor by at least 10%.
Other notable features of the GS65 include nice audio, a beautiful screen with a high refresh rate, and a CPU that is powerful enough to support multitasking and playing even the latest titles with a high framerate and without any freezes.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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MSI GP65 Leopard
Our choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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MSI GF65 Thin
Stylish |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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MSI GF63 Thin
Compact |
CHECK PRICE → |
MSI gaming laptops offer several levels of portability. Typically, the more advanced the hardware is packed in a machine, the less portable it is:
Minimum portability (17"-18" ): If you plan to keep the laptop in your house or office, then you should easily sacrifice portability for the sake of superior video game performance and a bigger screen. If you do have to travel, though, expect to have trouble with packing.
Average portability (15”): 15-inch laptops are the perfect middle ground, as you can conveniently have them on your lap or carry them with you when needed. Such models usually weigh around 4.5-7lbs and have a battery life of about 6 hours.
Superior portability (13”-14”): If you’re never in one place and want to have your laptop with you at all times, then getting a 13/14-inch model is an optimal choice. Such laptops are usually lighter than 5lbs, have decent batteries, and can be easily packed in a bag or backpack. On the flip side, you have to sacrifice some of the CPU and GPU power as well as screen real estate to enjoy such a compact device.
The graphics card is the heart of any gaming laptop. It transfers the image to the screen by processing the data sent by the game. Since this is an extremely intensive process when playing a graphically demanding game, a discrete graphics card with separate memory is a must-have. While you’ll usually hear that you need to get as much VRAM as possible, the truth is that most gamers can do just fine with 4GB of VRAM, with the ceiling being as high as you can afford it. Most laptops come with NVidia GPUs, but if you’re an AMD fan, you can find some appropriate models as well.
While the size of various components matters little for PC gamers, it’s one of the most important aspects when it comes to laptops. Since your goal is to get the best MSI gaming laptop, you should pick a size that will let you enjoy video games as conveniently as possible.
Potential options range from 11.6"" to 17.3"", with most manufacturers typically producing laptops in 3 screen sizes – 13.3"", 15.6"", and 17.3"". That said, you can also find a heap of unconventional options with 11.6”, 12.5”, or 14” displays.
The perfect size depends on your preference. If you want to enjoy more portability, then go with a smaller laptop. On the other hand, if you want to play games on a bigger screen with a more convenient keyboard layout, then opt for larger models. The ideal weight of a gaming laptop lies somewhere in the 1-2kg range.
Definitely. As long as you properly care about it, your laptop can be used for ten years or even longer. Typically, the first component that dies on you is the battery, but it can be easily switched for a different one, or you can simply have the laptop plugged in the entire time.
Different pieces of hardware are produced by different brands and even if the specifications are identical, the quality and type of components built into gaming laptops can still differ. In most situations, laptops purchased for $700 or less stay relevant for about 2 to 4 years, while laptops under 800 dollars and more expensive models can be viable for even up to 6 years.
Being a small, delicate machine, a laptop comes with multiple components that demand delicate care: the display, moveable parts, and the HDD/SDD. The display is the obvious standout as it’s typically extremely slim while having a lot of flex. The moveable parts like a disk reader can also break in an instant. The fragile nature of some components is explained by the manufacturer's desire to make its laptops as small and lightweight as possible.
Nothing in this world is permanent and technology is no exception, regardless of how advanced it is. That said, if you use a laptop properly, it can serve you as long as you need it before the hardware becomes outdated and incapable of running the necessary software or video games. If you notice your device breaking earlier than it should, there’s a high chance you have some harmful habits that are causing its demise.
