MSI - THIN 15 15.6" 144Hz FHD Gaming Laptop-Intel Core i5-13420H - 16GB Memory - GeForce RTX 4050 - 512GB SSD - Black

I've had this laptop for about a week now and most of what I have to say is positive but there are some things that could be improved. To put into perspective of the type of person I am, I game occasionally, I'm not a hard core 4K 120 FPS type of gamer. I like playing games at FHD (1920 by 1080) and I'm happy with at least 45 FPS. I say this because it did have an impact on what type of gaming laptop I was looking for. I don't want to spend $2000/$3000.00 for a gaming laptop, it's not worth it for me. So let me tell ya I love this laptop! The way it looks, the way the keyboard feels while typing on it and the performance is solid for a 4050 laptop. I like the new grey color they introduced and the light blue backlit keyboard. It's not screaming look at me I game!! Like the older black/red model this is replacing. The price I paid for this was great, at $600.00 I couldn't say no, not with a 4050 GPU, a 13th gen i5 and 16GB of ram. I've been able to play games like Battlefield 1, In sound mind and COD on med/high settings. This laptop does have room for upgrades such as a 2.5 inch SSD (laptop SSD) and RAM can be maxed out at 64GB if one wishes to do so. The port selection is good, I think. You'll have 3 USB A ports, USB C, Ethernet, HDMI, and audio jack. The display is good enough for gaming and watching media but dont expect to do anything like photo editing because the colors do look a little washed out. Lets talk about the "not so awesome" stuff about this laptop The hinge: The hinge built into this laptop is crap. Look around online and you'll see what I mean. The screws within the hinge is screwed into a plastic standoff, in other words over time the display WILL break off due to hinge failure. I understand that I'm paying $600.00 for a gaming machine, so its NOT going to use the highest quality of parts but it should still be built to last if taken care of. This machine was built to fail on purpose. Battery life: The battery life on here doing anything is poopoo. I get about 2 to 2 1/2 hours doing basic things like watching YouTube, typing documents or browsing. I know this is a gaming laptop so bad battery life is to be expected but it would be nice to AT LEAST get 3 to 4 hours of use doing basic tasks. Dry Thermal compound: You read that right. I bought this new, I decided to open it up to upgrade the storage and ram. Once I had it taken apart, I figured I'd check how well the thermal paste was applied and I'm glad I did because it was super dry. I'm surprised this made it through because there's no way it should've looked like this. Anyways I replaced the crusty thermal compound with PTM 7950. It's a phase changing material, it transfers heat well and never has to be replaced. After doing so my laptop ran even better! GPU: Not all version of the Nvidia RTX 4050 is the same. The RTX 4050 that is used in this laptop is a 45 watt variant meaning you won't get the best performance out of this version of the GPU. With its 45 watt cap you'll get about 70% to 75% of what the 4050 series can do. Display chin: The display they used on here is nice, its a full HD panel that has a 144hz refresh rate and does get bright enough for most environments BUTTT it has a huge chin on the bottom part of it. Its not a big deal considering its price, but it is something I did want to mention. If they were to remove it, they could've made this laptop even lighter. Conclusion If you are like me and just want something to game on with medium to high settings without breaking the bank this, is it! It looks great, it doesn't scream gamer, and the parts are upgradeable/replaceable. Yes, the hinge SHOULD be better, and it does use a 45 watt GPU but its hard to deny its great price and performance. If I can at least get 3 years out of this thing I'd be happy. If the weak hinge is something that bothers, you then Id skip this. Maybe look at the HP Victus or MSI's Cyborg 14 inch & 15 inch laptop.

Since purchasing this laptop I have not come across any issues (cross fingers). I originally bought it to practice serato (dj), and now gradually started downloading games. Upon using this device, it has not over heated and that’s me using it for 3-4 hours. The screen display is really good, and of course you can adjust it to your liking. I can use it with multiple programs being opened and not one single glitch nor slowing down. Although the battery is pretty basic, you cannot beat the price for something simple and efficient. Overall, the graphics are good, lightweight and portable. It does what I need it to do.

Performance: I picked up the MSI THIN 15 from Best Buy, and it's been an absolute game-changer for portable gaming. With its Intel Core i5-13420H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, this laptop delivers impressive performance for its size. I've been able to run most modern games at high settings with smooth frame rates, thanks to the 144Hz display. It's a testament to how well-integrated the hardware is within this slim chassis. Portability and Design: This laptop is incredibly thin and light for what it offers, making it an excellent choice for gamers who need to move around. The black finish looks sleek and professional, and despite its slim profile, the build quality feels solid. The keyboard is comfortable for extended gaming sessions, and the screen is vibrant and crisp, perfect for both gaming and content consumption. Battery Life: While no gaming laptop is known for marathon battery life, the THIN 15 manages to surprise in this aspect. You get a decent amount of gaming time off the charger, and for productivity or lighter use, it lasts even longer. This makes it viable for use away from a power outlet for more than just quick sessions. Cooling: MSI has done a commendable job with the cooling system here. Even during intensive gameplay, the laptop doesn't get uncomfortably hot, and the fans, while audible, aren't overly loud. It's clear they've balanced performance with thermal management effectively. Display and Audio: The 144Hz FHD screen is a delight, offering smooth visuals that enhance the gaming experience significantly. Colors are accurate, and the refresh rate makes everything feel more responsive. Audio from the built-in speakers is serviceable for gaming, though for a more immersive experience, I'd recommend external audio solutions. Upgradeability and Ports: While the 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD are a good starting point, knowing that you can upgrade the RAM and add another SSD for storage gives this laptop longevity. It comes with a good array of ports for its size, including USB-C, ensuring connectivity isn't an issue. Value: At Best Buy, this MSI THIN 15 strikes an excellent balance between price and performance. It's not the cheapest gaming laptop, but for what you get in terms of hardware, design, and portability, it's a steal. It's perfect for students, professionals, or anyone who wants a capable gaming machine without the bulk. Conclusion: The MSI THIN 15 has exceeded my expectations. It's a lightweight, powerful gaming laptop that doesn't skimp on performance or aesthetics. If you're looking for a gaming laptop that you can take with you, this one should be at the top of your list. Five stars from me for delivering on all fronts.