MSI Modern 15.6" C2RMTG-410CA

The MSI Modern C2RMTG-410CA packs a seriously strong Core 9 270H CPU and 32GB of RAM into a budget-friendly package. The display is dull, the battery is weak, and gaming is a no-go. But for developers and multitaskers who value raw processing power over pretty pixels, it's a solid buy.

The Core 9 270H is the star here. It lands in the 83rd percentile for CPUs in our database, which puts it well above average and genuinely impressive for a machine at this price point. The 14 cores and 20 threads chew through compile jobs, spreadsheets, and multitasking without breaking a sweat. The 32GB of DDR5 is also a standout, sitting in the 81st percentile, so you can run a pile of browser tabs, Docker containers, and Slack without hitting a wall. Storage is solid too, with a 1TB NVMe drive in the 80th percentile. But the integrated Intel graphics are just okay, landing in the 56th percentile. Fine for video streaming and light photo edits, but don't expect to game on this thing. Our gaming score of 18.4 out of 100 says it all.

Stacked against the Apple MacBook Pro M4 Pro, the MSI gets smoked on display quality, battery life, and build, but it costs a fraction of the price. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and Lenovo Legion Pro 7i are gaming beasts with dedicated GPUs that make the MSI's integrated graphics look silly, but again, those cost significantly more. The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro has a far superior OLED screen and better portability. The MSI's lane is value-focused productivity. It's for people who want a lot of RAM and a strong CPU without paying MacBook or gaming laptop prices.

At around $1,019 USD or $1,400 CAD, this is a tricky value proposition. You're paying for the CPU and RAM, and those are genuinely strong. But the display, battery, and graphics are all budget-tier. If you're a developer or data cruncher who plugs into an external monitor most of the time, the internal screen quality matters less and this becomes a decent deal. If you need a laptop that's good at everything out of the box, you'll feel the compromises.

The MSI Modern C2RMTG-410CA is a weird mix. You get a genuinely strong Core 9 270H processor and a generous 32GB of DDR5, but it's paired with a display that feels like it fell out of 2015. This is a work laptop through and through, aimed at people who need CPU muscle and RAM headroom more than pretty pixels or gaming chops.

At 1.90kg it's not exactly featherweight, but it's thin enough to slide into a bag without a fight. The touchscreen is a nice bonus for scrolling and quick taps, though the 45% NTSC color coverage means creative pros should keep walking.

Skip this if you care about screen quality, battery life, or gaming. The 45% NTSC panel is a dealbreaker for anyone doing photo or video work, and the integrated graphics mean this is not a gaming machine in any meaningful sense. If you need all-day battery for classes or travel, look elsewhere too, because the 53Wh cell won't get you through a full day without hunting for an outlet.

Buy this if you're a developer, a student in a technical field, or anyone who needs serious CPU and RAM headroom on a budget. The Core 9 270H and 32GB of DDR5 will keep this machine relevant for years of multitasking and compiling. Just know that the screen is mediocre, the battery won't last a full day away from an outlet, and gaming is basically off the table.