On the hunt for an affordable gaming laptop that promises to deliver without emptying your wallet? MSI offers the GF63, arguably one of the cheapest gaming laptops on the market at a price point hovering around $500 USD. But with cost-cutting comes compromises. Let's delve into what you can expect with this budget-friendly machine.
Design & Build Quality
Boasting an all-black aesthetic, the GF63 features a brushed aluminum lid and interior giving it a touch of sophistication that belies its price. However, don't be fooled—the overall feel leans towards plastic and doesn't scream premium.
The chassis displays significant flex, especially around the interior, while the hinge exhibits some weakness under stress; a little too much pressure and the panel risks popping off. This raises concerns about the laptop's durability in the long run.
Portability
Weighing in at 1.8kg (4lbs) without the charger and 2.3kg (5.1lbs) with the small 120-watt charger, it remains relatively portable and isn't overly bulky compared to other modern 15-inch designs.
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Hardware & Performance
The GF63 variant I reviewed comes with an Intel Core i5-11400H 6-core CPU, 8GB of single-channel RAM, a 15.6-inch 1080p 144Hz screen, and was tested with both GTX 1650 and RTX 3050 GPUs.
Display & Webcam
The 720p camera is positioned where you'd expect it, but it lacks Windows Hello face unlock capabilities. The keyboard, sporting a single zone of red backlighting, is sufficient for regular use, though it may not be the best for long typing sessions. The touchpad, while functional, can feel cramped.
Ports & Connectivity
On the port side, you get a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A and Type-C ports, separated 3.5mm headphone and mic jacks, gigabit ethernet, a HDMI port, and a Kensington lock, with most ports located on the right side—potentially inconvenient for right-handed mouse users.
Unfortunately, you can't charge the GF63 with USB Type-C, nor can you output to an external monitor via this port.
Internals & Upgradability
Accessing the internals for upgrades is challenging but once inside, you're greeted with two memory slots, one M.2 slot, a place for a 2.5” drive, and the Wi-Fi 6 card slot. The laptops come with a single stick of DDR4 memory, suggesting subpar performance due to single-channel limitations.
Sound & Audio
The laptop's speakers offer average performance, with moderate bass and sufficient volume, though they lose clarity at higher levels.
Battery Life
The 3-Cell 52.4Wh battery delivers acceptable, if unremarkable, longevity. In gaming scenarios, the RTX 3050 configuration edged out slightly longer, though neither will set records for endurance.
Thermal Performance
The cooling system doesn't inspire confidence with its minimalist approach, though the lower-end hardware doesn't necessitate anything extensive. Temperatures remained relatively low across various performance modes, and fan noises were manageable unless set to run at full speed during intensive tasks.
Gaming & Content Creation
Performance in Triple-A titles is satisfactory, with the RTX 3050 showing a 23%-26% improvement over the GTX 1650. Upgrading to dual-channel memory yields marginal FPS gains. The machine's cooling and lower power limit restrict performance peaks, leading to succinct but serviceable gaming sessions.
When it comes to content creation, the GF63 manages competently in tasks like video editing and 3D workloads, albeit lagging behind laptops with higher specs.
Display
The Full HD display leaves much to be desired with its limited color gamut, dim output, and sluggish response times—a corner often cut in budget gaming laptops.
BIOS Features & Linux Support
MSI does not skimp on BIOS flexibility, offering advanced settings for the tech-savvy user. Testing with Ubuntu 22.04 showed good compatibility with the laptop's hardware, although some usual shortcuts did not work correctly.
Pricing & Value
This laptop starts at a very appealing $560 USD for the GTX 1650 version, though with less SSD space than the base review model. As you climb the price ladder, competing laptops start to overshadow the GF63 in terms of value and performance.
Conclusion
The MSI GF63's appeal lies squarely in its price tag as one of the cheapest new gaming laptops available. Despite the alluring cost, the build quality, screen performance, and single memory stick hinder its potential. Those on a stringent budget will find it suitable, but if you can stretch your budget by $200-300, you could unlock a noticeably enhanced gaming laptop experience.
For a thorough comparison of the GTX 1650 and RTX 3050 models, look out for our detailed gaming benchmark video to help decide if the upgrade to the 3050 is worth the extra cost.