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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Nitro 5 17 and the MSI Bravo 15 both have their strengths, so your choice will depend on what you value more for your use. The Acer Nitro 5 17 offers a larger screen, more storage, and higher RAM, which translates to better performance for engineering tasks, 3D rendering, and machine learning. Its superior GPU also makes it more suitable for intensive gaming. However, it is heavier and less portable. On the other hand, the MSI Bravo 15 is lighter, making it easier to carry around, and it still offers good performance for general use and gaming. If you prioritize portability and satisfactory performance at a slightly higher price point, consider the MSI Bravo 15; but if you need top-notch performance for more demanding tasks and are willing to deal with extra weight and a lower price, the Acer Nitro 5 17 would be the better option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Nitro 5 17
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Very good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Good speakers
- Good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Bravo 15
- The MSI Bravo 15 has no clear advantages over the Acer Nitro 5 17.
Key differences
General Use
7.8
7.1
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
307.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Acer Nitro 5 17 and MSI Bravo 15 are both good for general use, though the Acer Nitro 5 17 is somewhat better.
The Acer Nitro 5 17 outshines the MSI Bravo 15 in general use mainly because it has a more robust CPU and double the RAM, enhancing multitask and application performance; its larger screen with higher brightness makes for better viewing despite being less portable and heavier. In contrast, the MSI Bravo 15, while more portable due to its lighter weight and smaller size, compromises on performance with a lesser CPU, less RAM, and a dimmer screen, which might impact multitasking and prolonged use.
Gaming and AI
7.7
7.2
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Acer Nitro 5 17 and MSI Bravo 15 are both good for gaming and AI, though the Acer Nitro 5 17 is somewhat better.
The Acer Nitro 5 17 boasts a high-end Nvidia RTX 3080 graphics card and a screen with a very high refresh rate, making it excellent for gaming and 3D applications that benefit from quick image rendering. In comparison, the MSI Bravo 15 is equipped with a Nvidia RTX 4050, still a competent GPU for gaming and 3D tasks, but its screen's lower refresh rate means it handles screen updates less rapidly than the Nitro 5 17.
Engineering and Design
8.0
7.4
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Acer Nitro 5 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Bravo 15 is good.
The Acer Nitro 5 17 boasts superior processing power, a higher-end graphics card, and more RAM, making it very adept for demanding tasks like engineering and design; additionally, it features a larger, brighter screen with better color coverage, which enhances visual work. In contrast, the MSI Bravo 15 is lighter and more portable but comes with less storage, less RAM, and a GPU that's less powerful, which together makes it merely good for engineering and design applications.
Content Creation
7.9
7.0
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Nitro 5 17 and MSI Bravo 15 are both good for content creation, though the Acer Nitro 5 17 is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.4
6.6
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Acer Nitro 5 17 is good for software development, while the MSI Bravo 15 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
8.2
6.9
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
307.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
The Acer Nitro 5 17 has a better screen than the MSI Bravo 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Acer Nitro 5 17's superior panel type, higher resolution, and greater brightness make it very appealing, offering crisp visuals and vibrant colors, while the MSI Bravo 15's decent attributes in these areas deliver a satisfactory experience. The Acer's color gamut coverage is more suited for engineering and design, providing more accurate color representation which is vital for these tasks, though the MSI still offers acceptable quality for less color-critical work. However, both fall short for gaming and 3D applications, as their lower refresh rates do not match the swift frame transitions required, making them less ideal for fast-paced visual content.
Portability
Fair
Fair
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Bravo 15 and Acer Nitro 5 17 both have only fair portability, though the MSI Bravo 15 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,899
$862
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Acer Nitro 5 17 has a price of $2,899 and the MSI Bravo 15 costs $862.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Acer Nitro 5 17 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Bravo 15 has 6 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
7.2
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Nitro 5 17 to have good build quality, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Nitro 5 17 and the MSI Bravo 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Nitro 5 17 | MSI Bravo 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,899 | $862 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.9'' x 11'' x 0.98'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.95 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.89" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.02" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5800H | AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS | |
Graphics | |||
Graphics | RTX 3080 (100 W) | RTX 4050 (105 W) | |
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | |||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | No | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 57.5 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 307 nits | 267 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Acer Nitro 5 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | August 2021
"The Acer Nitro 5 17 is a solid mid-range gamer. The Nitro 5 does not belong to the top group of RTX 3070 notebooks: Compared with the RTX 3070 notebooks tested so far, the computer delivers below-average frame rates - this is due to the 100-watt TGP. The GPU performance can be increased a bit with a firmware update. The device scores with a high level of CPU performance. Throttling is not a concern. CPU and GPU can produce their performance constantly. The laptop heats up moderately under load. The noise development is on the usual class level."
MSI Bravo 15
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMedia
Nikolay Palaozov | July 2023
"Overall, the MSI Bravo 15 C7U is a great gaming device for the masses that isn’t too pricey. The capable hardware (for the price range), the 144Hz display, and the comfortable keyboard are one of the things that should attract buyers who don’t want to spend a fortune on a new gaming laptop."
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro 5 17 or the MSI Bravo 15
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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