MSI GF63 Thin 15.6" Aluminum Black 2022

A budget gaming laptop that nails the basics but fumbles on battery life and build quirks. Buy it for the price-to-performance ratio, not for couch gaming.

The RTX 3050 sits in the 74th percentile for GPUs in our database, which is a pleasant surprise for a budget machine. It's well above average and handles esports titles and older AAA games at high settings without breaking a sweat. The i5-11400H is a middle-of-the-pack performer, but paired with 16GB of RAM, the system feels fast and responsive for everyday multitasking and gaming. What surprised us most is how well it handles 3D work out of the box, according to multiple owners. Just don't expect to do any serious AI work on this thing, that's its weakest area by a mile.

Stacked against the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, the MSI feels like a budget boxer in a heavyweight fight. The Zephyrus is more compact, has a better screen, and way more GPU horsepower, but it'll cost you significantly more. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is in a completely different league for performance, but it's also a much bigger investment. If you're cross-shopping a MacBook Pro M5, you're looking at the wrong machine entirely. The GF63 is for gamers on a strict budget who don't need portability or all-day battery life. For that specific person, it beats out cheaper, flimsier options from no-name brands.

This is where the GF63 Thin gets interesting. The price spread across vendors is insane, ranging from $709 to a laughable $24,697. At the low end, this is a steal. At the high end, someone is out of their mind. If you can snag it for under $800, you're getting a fantastic deal on a capable 1080p gaming rig. Just make sure you're buying from a reputable store and not some third-party seller trying to pull a fast one.

The MSI GF63 Thin is the budget gaming laptop you buy when you just want something that works without emptying your bank account. It's not going to blow anyone away with cutting-edge specs, but for the price it often sells for, it's a solid entry point into PC gaming. The 144Hz screen and RTX 3050 combo mean you can actually play modern titles smoothly, just don't expect to crank every setting to ultra. The real story here is value. You're getting a capable 1080p gaming machine in a package that, despite the 'Thin' name, is a bit chunky but totally fine for a desk setup. Just keep the charger handy, because the battery life is a known weak spot.

If you need a laptop that can last through a school day or a long flight, this isn't it. Go get a MacBook Air or a Ryzen-powered ultrabook instead. If you're a serious creator who needs a color-accurate screen and more GPU grunt for rendering, save up for the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14. This is a desk-bound gaming machine, and pretending it's anything else will just lead to disappointment.

The MSI GF63 Thin is a straightforward recommendation for the budget-conscious gamer who mostly plays plugged in at a desk. It delivers where it counts, with a smooth 144Hz screen and a GPU that punches above its price class. The battery life is a joke and the charging port feels like a disaster waiting to happen, but if you can live with those flaws and find it for a good price, you'll be happy with the performance. Just don't expect premium build quality or customer service that cares about you.