If you prioritize customizability and repairability and are willing to invest more, the Framework Laptop offers that flexibility along with a sleek design, potentially making it more future-proof. Alternatively, the MSI Bravo 15, while generally more affordable, leans towards gamers with strong graphics capabilities but may have a shorter battery life and more weight, which could be a concern if you travel frequently or move around a lot. Consider how much value you place on performance for specific tasks like gaming or heavy software use as opposed to the ease of carrying the device and having it last throughout the day on a single charge. 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 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Bravo 15
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
490.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for general use, while the MSI Bravo 15 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its high-quality CPU and RAM, offers fast performance and a superior screen, giving a clear and vibrant display, which is essential for prolonged general use, but its portability and battery life are less impressive compared to smaller models. On the other hand, the MSI Bravo 15, while still delivering adequate performance for typical tasks, trades off some screen quality and power for better battery life and easier carrying around, accommodating users who prioritize mobility and longer unplugged usage.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Bravo 15 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers robust processing power, ample memory, and a high-quality display ideal for demanding engineering tasks and design work, with the flexibility for upgrades. In contrast, the MSI Bravo 15, while also equipped with capable CPU, memory, and GPU specifications, focuses more on gaming performance, and may not provide the same level of screen fidelity, but it could be more budget-friendly, albeit at the expense of being less tailored for high-precision design work.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the MSI Bravo 15 is good.
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
8.0/10
6.8/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very 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
8.4/10
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the MSI Bravo 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its high resolution and brightness, delivers crisp and clear visuals suitable for everyday tasks and detailed engineering and design work, while its extensive color gamut coverage ensures accurate color representation for professional applications. In contrast, the MSI Bravo 15 has a lower resolution and brightness, which make its screen less vibrant for general and design tasks, although still serviceable. For gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short because they lack high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion and gameplay, a limitation that could hinder fast-paced visuals and user experience in gaming environments.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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
8.0/10
6.7/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has very 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.
Cost
$1,699
$862
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the MSI Bravo 15 costs $862.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Bravo 15 to be good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Framework Laptop 16 has a decent GPU and screen refresh rate suitable for moderate gaming and 3D use, but the MSI Bravo 15 has a more powerful GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, offering smoother visuals and better performance for more demanding gaming and 3D tasks. While both have capable CPUs and good screen quality, the MSI's stronger gaming capabilities make it the preferable option for those primarily interested in gaming and 3D applications.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to have good portability, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the MSI Bravo 15 compare to other laptops
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
"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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the MSI Bravo 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.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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