The Gateway 14.1" is much more affordable and slightly lighter, which may appeal if you're on a budget and value portability. It's suitable for basic tasks with its modest memory and storage, and it has a good screen quality. However, the MSI GF63 Thin, while more expensive, offers a significant leap in performance with a stronger processor, more memory, and better graphics capabilities; it's tailored for more demanding applications and light gaming. The MSI also has a larger screen but shorter battery life and heavier weight, making it less ideal for long periods away from power sources or frequent travel. 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 14.1"
Very good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI GF63 Thin
Good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
6.0/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI GF63 Thin is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" has an Intel Celeron processor and Intel UHD Graphics which are not suited for demanding tasks like gaming and 3D applications, whereas the MSI GF63 Thin is equipped with a more powerful Intel i5 processor and Nvidia GTX graphics, offering better performance for such uses.
Screen Quality
6.0/10
6.1/10
14.1in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
208.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
The MSI GF63 Thin has a better screen than the Gateway 14.1" for general use, content creation, and software development.
The Gateway 14.1" and MSI GF63 Thin, with their fair screen quality for general use, likely offer sufficient resolution and brightness for everyday tasks but may fall short in providing the crisp and vibrant visuals found in higher-end displays. Their screens are also adequate for engineering and design applications, yet they may not cover the full range of colors required by professionals, like those supported by DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color gamuts. For gaming and 3D purposes, while they offer the basic resolution and panel type needed for an acceptable experience, they lack the high refresh rates that are essential for smooth and immersive gameplay.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.2 Hours
The Gateway 14.1" has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI GF63 Thin has 4.3 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
Very Good
Good
14.1in
SIZE
15.6in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Gateway 14.1" has very good portability, while the MSI GF63 Thin has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
6.5/10
The MSI GF63 Thin has only fair build quality, while the Gateway 14.1" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$99
$599
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Gateway 14.1" has a price of $99 and the MSI GF63 Thin costs $599.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GF63 Thin to be only fair for general use, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" is rated poorly for general use because of its basic Intel Celeron processor, lower amount of RAM, and limited storage capacity, which hinder multitasking and the ability to handle more demanding applications. On the other hand, the MSI GF63 Thin offers a more capable Intel i5 processor, double the RAM for smoother performance, and a larger storage space, along with a better managed heat system, making it more suitable for a wider range of tasks despite being slightly less portable due to its larger size and weight.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
6.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GF63 Thin to be only fair for engineering and design, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" falls short for engineering and design due to its less powerful Intel Celeron processor and basic integrated graphics, whereas the MSI GF63 Thin offers a stronger Intel i5 processor and dedicated Nvidia graphics, making it more suitable for these tasks. Additionally, the MSI laptop comes with twice the RAM, which is important for multitasking and running demanding software typical in engineering and design workflows.
Content Creation
5.8/10
6.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GF63 Thin to be only fair for content creation, while the Gateway 14.1" 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
5.8/10
6.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GF63 Thin to be only fair for software development, while the Gateway 14.1" 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.
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How the Gateway 14.1" and the MSI GF63 Thin compare to other laptops
"The Gateway Ultra Slim 14" is surprisingly quiet with long battery life. The inexpensive Gateway excels at maximizing performance per dollar with lots of RAM and storage, super-quiet fan, and a long battery life. It can even house up to two M.2 SSDs which we weren't expecting from such a cheap system. However, the iffy reliability of the keyboard and USB-C port on our test unit means users should double-check for these potential issues immediately after purchasing."
"If you leave aside the meagre port selection (no card reader, no DisplayPort, no Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1 Gen2), the fan control that could be improved (idle mode!) and the relatively dark and slow display, the MSI GF63 Thin 9SC does not have any major weaknesses. The 15-inch gamer is compact, has a low weight and offers a good price-to-performance ratio, which should please gamers that are looking for both a portable and an affordable gaming notebook. Input devices, battery life, case quality and performance are all appropriate for this purchase price."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 14.1" or the MSI GF63 Thin
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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