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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 21, 2024·
If you prioritize a customizable and repairable design with a focus on sustainability, the Framework Laptop might be a suitable choice, despite its higher price. It also offers a robust build and potentially better long-term value due to its modularity. On the other hand, if budget is a major concern, and you're looking for a more cost-effective solution for everyday tasks and light gaming, the MSI Thin GF63 could serve your needs well. The MSI is lighter and may be better for on-the-go use, but it often comes with reduced upgradability and a less premium build compared to more expensive alternatives. 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 battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Thin GF63
- The MSI Thin GF63 has no clear advantages over the Framework Laptop 16 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
8.0
7.4
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
490.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for general use, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its higher-quality screen, more powerful CPU, and larger RAM, offers smoother and faster performance for various applications, enhancing the experience for users who prioritize work involving multiple tasks or more demanding software. Meanwhile, the MSI Thin GF63, being lighter and often boasting longer battery life, is easier to carry around, making it more suitable for users who need mobility and are engaged in less intensive tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.1
7.5
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 is tailored for design and engineering tasks due to its high-resolution screen and easy-upgrade design, which ensures its CPU, RAM, and GPU stay relevant for demanding software, while the MSI Thin GF63, though lighter for portability, also handles engineering applications well with its capable hardware but may not match the Framework's screen quality or long-term upgradability. Both laptops have quality keyboards and are reasonably quiet, with the Framework likely offering a slight edge in speaker quality due to its focus on premium build components.
Content Creation
8.1
7.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the MSI Thin GF63 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
7.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
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
6.8
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the MSI Thin GF63 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Framework Laptop 16 has a higher resolution and brighter display, improving clarity and visibility for everyday tasks. In engineering and design, the Framework's wider color gamuts ensure more accurate color representation, necessary for precise visual work. However, for 3D and gaming, the MSI Thin GF63's lower refresh rate limits the smoothness of fast-moving visuals, even though its resolution and panel type moderately support such activities.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The MSI Thin GF63 has 4.5 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.
Build Quality
8.0
6.5
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has very good build quality, while the MSI Thin GF63 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
$1,400
$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 Thin GF63 costs $1,400.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.8
6.9
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Thin GF63 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its emphasis on customization and repairability, offers a high-quality screen and a decent GPU that provides an adequate experience for gaming and 3D applications, but it may not match the raw graphics performance of more specialized gaming laptops. The MSI Thin GF63, while more dedicated to gaming with a stronger GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, sacrifices some screen quality and may not offer the same level of customization as the Framework model, but it will likely deliver smoother gameplay.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and MSI Thin GF63 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the MSI Thin GF63 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Framework Laptop 16 (2023) | MSI Thin GF63 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,699 | $1,400 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 10.6'' x 0.71'' | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.85'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.63 lbs | 4.1 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.04" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.63" | 9.99" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | Intel i7-12650H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 85 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 490 nits | 262 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"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."
MSI Thin GF63
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Charles Jeffries | November 2022
"The MSI GF63 Thin 11SC can be an admirable value for gamers and power users on a minimal budget. For just $599 as reviewed in its base model, its Intel Core i5 H-class processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics perform much better than low-wattage CPUs and integrated graphics. That said, this is a light-class gaming laptop. Low scores in our demanding gaming benchmarks indicate using lower visual-quality settings will be required for playable performance."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the MSI Thin GF63
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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