MSI Thin 15.6" B13VE-3047US Black 2023

A desk-bound beast on a budget. You get a killer CPU and RTX 4050 for under a grand, but you'll pay for it with a chunky plastic build and a battery that's just for show.

What surprised us most is how capable the RTX 4050 is in this chassis. In our database, the GPU sits in the 78th percentile, which is impressive for a laptop that dips under a grand. You can lean on DLSS 3 in supported titles to push frame rates well past 60fps on the 144Hz screen. The CPU is no slouch either, landing in the 72nd percentile. Just don't expect to do any serious AI model training, that's a weak spot at the 30th percentile, but for gaming and everyday creative work, it's a strong performer.

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is the obvious step up if you can stretch your budget. It's in a different league for portability and build quality, and its screen is vastly superior. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 is another strong competitor that offers better cooling and a more premium chassis, though it's pricier. If you're even considering an Apple MacBook Pro M4 Pro, you're in a totally different market, but it's worth noting the MacBook will run circles around this MSI for creative work and battery life while being useless for most PC gaming.

For the $899 to $999 price range, this is a solid deal if raw gaming frames are your only priority. You're getting a current-gen RTX 4050 and a fast i7, which is hard to find at this price. But you're making a clear sacrifice on the screen, battery, and overall feel. It's worth it for a desk-bound gamer on a strict budget.

The MSI Thin 15 is a budget gaming laptop that punches above its weight class in raw performance. You're getting a solid Intel i7-13620H and an RTX 4050, which is a combo that'll chew through most modern games at 1080p without breaking a sweat. The one thing to know is that you're trading build quality and portability for that power. This thing is heavy and mostly plastic, but if it's going to live on your desk, that might not matter.

If you're a student or commuter who needs a laptop that lasts through a day of classes, this isn't it. The 3.4kg weight and tiny 52Wh battery are a dealbreaker for portability. Go get an ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or even a MacBook Air if gaming isn't the priority.

The MSI Thin 15 is a classic case of getting exactly what you pay for. The core gaming performance is fantastic for the money, but the corners cut to hit this price are obvious. If you can live with a bulky plastic chassis, a dim screen, and keeping it plugged in, you'll be very happy. If you need to carry it around daily, look elsewhere.