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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Framework Laptop 13 is a lightweight, portable option with a slightly smaller, higher-resolution screen that's better for text clarity, though it's not as powerful as the MSI Cyborg 15. The Framework also is designed to be customizable and repairable, with better battery life for those who need to work on the go. On the other hand, the MSI Cyborg 15 offers a larger screen with a faster refresh rate for smoother visuals, making it suitable for gaming or video editing, and it's equipped with a more robust graphics card and a higher capacity for storage out of the box. However, the Cyborg is heavier and not as battery-efficient, making it less convenient for frequent travel. Choose the Framework if you prioritize portability and sustainability or the MSI if performance and gaming are your main concerns. 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Cyborg 15
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3
7.2
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Cyborg 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is only fair.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) offers moderate gaming and 3D performance with integrated Intel graphics and a standard screen refresh rate, whereas the MSI Cyborg 15 is equipped with a powerful Nvidia RTX graphics card and a high refresh rate screen, making it more suitable for immersive gaming and 3D experiences.
Screen Quality
7.4
6.8
13.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
472.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 13 has a better screen than the MSI Cyborg 15 for general use, engineering and design, and software development.
For general use, the Framework Laptop's screen provides a sharper image with higher resolution, which makes text clearer and colors more vibrant, whereas the MSI Cyborg's screen, while adequate, does not offer the same level of detail or brightness. When it comes to engineering and design, the Framework Laptop's screen coverage of professional color gamuts enhances the accuracy of the colors displayed, which is crucial for detail-oriented work, something the MSI Cyborg's panel does less effectively. Meanwhile, in 3D environments, the Framework Laptop's screen falls short due to a lower refresh rate, which can affect the smoothness of motion, while the MSI Cyborg also has limitations in this area, despite both screens being only moderately well-suited in terms of resolution and panel type for such demanding visual tasks.
Portability
Very Good
Good
13.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.3 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
6.7
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has good build quality, while the MSI Cyborg 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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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.3
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
472.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for general use.
The Framework Laptop 13 is lightweight with a high-resolution screen, making it easy to carry and pleasant for everyday tasks, while the MSI Cyborg 15 offers a larger screen and a more powerful processor for more demanding applications but sacrifices portability and battery life. Both provide a solid general use experience, but the Framework's emphasis on portability and display quality contrasts with the MSI's focus on performance and gaming capabilities.
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.5
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The MSI Cyborg 15 and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both good for engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is equipped with an integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, an efficient Intel i5 series processor, and a display with high resolution and brightness, making it suitable for engineering and design due to its visual clarity and capable performance. On the other hand, the MSI Cyborg 15 boasts a more powerful Intel i7 series processor and a dedicated Nvidia GPU, which makes it superior for graphics-intensive engineering tasks and 3D design, but it is less portable and has lower screen color accuracy compared to the Framework model.
Content Creation
7.5
7.5
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for content creation.
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
7.6
7.2
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for software development.
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.
Battery
7.5 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Cyborg 15 has 7.5 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.
Cost
$1,079
$1,100
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a price of $1,079 and the MSI Cyborg 15 costs $1,100.
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How the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and the MSI Cyborg 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Framework Laptop 13 (2023) | MSI Cyborg 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,079 | $1,100 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62'' | 14.2'' x 9.9'' x 0.9'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.95 lbs | 4.37 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.7" | 14.15" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.01" | 9.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1340P | Intel i7-12650H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 55 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 472 nits | 234 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | 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 | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
Wired
Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
MSI Cyborg 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | April 2023
"The focus of the MSI Cyborg 15 lies on a compromise of performance, mobility, and power consumption. Due to the reduced performance settings, the CPU and GPU perform below their capabilities. Nonetheless, their computing power is still sufficient for FHD gaming at high to maximum settings even then. The power consumption, which is low for a gaming laptop, can be translated into a good battery life. Realistic values of 7 to 8 h are still possible, despite the relatively small battery capacity of 53.5 Wh. Unfortunately the USB-C port doesn't offer any support for Power Delivery, which would be a sensible feature in the case of the Cyborg."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) or the MSI Cyborg 15
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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