If budget is a significant factor and your laptop needs are basic, like web browsing or word processing, the Gateway 11.6" may suffice and save you money. However, the MSI Bravo 15 offers superior performance for more demanding tasks such as gaming or video editing; its higher cost reflects this greater capability. The Gateway is also more portable due to its smaller size, which could be beneficial if you travel often. Balance your needs between performance for advanced applications and the convenience of portability and cost when making your choice. 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 Gateway 11.6"
Excellent portability
Advantages of the MSI Bravo 15
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for content creation
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
7.1/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The MSI Bravo 15 is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has less suitability for general use due to its lower RAM, less powerful CPU, and lower screen quality, whereas the MSI Bravo 15 offers better performance with more RAM, a stronger CPU, and a higher quality screen, yet it is less portable and has shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
7.2/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Bravo 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
5.4/10
7.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The MSI Bravo 15 is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has a basic Intel Celeron processor and Intel UHD Graphics, suitable for lightweight tasks, whereas the MSI Bravo 15 comes with a more powerful AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia RTX graphics, better suited for the demands of engineering and design work. Additionally, the Gateway's smaller screen, lower resolution, and limited color coverage are inferior for detail-oriented tasks, whereas the MSI boasts a larger, higher resolution screen with better color accuracy, vital for design precision and clarity.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.1/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Bravo 15 is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
6.8/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Bravo 15 is only fair for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
6.9/10
11.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
The MSI Bravo 15 has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Gateway 11.6" laptop's smaller screen size and lower resolution make it less suitable for any tasks where screen real estate and clarity are essential, thus it falls short for general use, engineering, and especially gaming and 3D applications. The MSI Bravo 15 offers a larger screen and higher resolution which benefits general use; however, its color accuracy might not meet the precise needs for engineering and design tasks. Although the MSI has a decent panel for general tasks, its refresh rate isn't high enough to satisfy the smooth visuals demanded by gaming and 3D applications.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Gateway 11.6" has 8 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.
Portability
Excellent
Fair
11.6in
SIZE
15.6in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Gateway 11.6" has excellent portability, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
6.7/10
The MSI Bravo 15 has only fair build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$89
$862
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Gateway 11.6" has a price of $89 and the MSI Bravo 15 costs $862.
"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 Gateway 11.6" or the MSI Bravo 15
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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