If you value gaming performance and are looking for a machine with dedicated graphics for better 3D rendering or machine learning tasks, the MSI Bravo 15 with its RTX GPU will serve you well but at a higher cost. The Gateway 15.6", on the other hand, is more budget-friendly, has a better battery life for longer unplugged use, and is suitable for general use as well as engineering tasks that don’t heavily rely on a dedicated GPU. However, in terms of portability, both laptops are similar in size and weight. The MSI Bravo 15 also offers a higher refresh rate display for smoother visuals, which can be important for gaming and fast-paced video content. Both come with the same amount of storage, but the Gateway has more RAM which can be beneficial for multitasking and complex tasks, whereas the MSI has a more powerful CPU and modern features such as hardware ray tracing and DLSS support. 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 15.6"
Good portability
Advantages of the MSI Bravo 15
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
7.2/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1080
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 15.6" is only fair.
The MSI Bravo 15 outperforms the Gateway 15.6" in gaming and 3D applications primarily because it features a more powerful Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU compared to the Gateway's integrated Intel i5-1135G7 Iris Xe graphics, and a higher screen refresh rate of 144Hz against the Gateway's 60Hz, which provides smoother visuals during fast-paced gaming. While the Gateway offers better battery life and has more RAM, which benefits multitasking, the MSI's superior GPU and refresh rate are more crucial for a quality gaming experience.
Engineering and Design
6.2/10
7.2/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The MSI Bravo 15 is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The Gateway 15.6" laptop is considered fair for engineering and design use largely due to its less powerful Iris Xe graphics, while the MSI Bravo 15 is rated good for the same tasks, thanks to its superior Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a higher refresh rate display which is beneficial for graphics-intensive work. Additionally, the MSI Bravo 15's newer processor and better screen brightness contribute to its higher suitability for engineering and design, despite it having less RAM and slightly lower portability compared to the Gateway 15.6".
Screen Quality
6.1/10
6.9/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
The MSI Bravo 15 has a better screen than the Gateway 15.6" for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
If you prioritize casual activities like browsing and watching videos, the Gateway's fair screen quality may suffice, but the MSI Bravo's good screen quality will offer a clearer and more vibrant experience. However, for professional tasks like engineering and design, both laptops may fall short in color accuracy, crucial for precise work. Lastly, neither laptop is ideal for gaming and 3D graphics, due to limited refresh rates which are essential for smooth motion and gameplay.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Gateway 15.6" 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.
Build Quality
5.1/10
6.7/10
The MSI Bravo 15 has only fair build quality, while the Gateway 15.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$380
$862
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Gateway 15.6" has a price of $380 and the MSI Bravo 15 costs $862.
The MSI Bravo 15 and Gateway 15.6" are both good for general use.
The Gateway 15.6" is better suited for general use than the MSI Bravo 15 because it comes with more RAM which aids in multitasking and its keyboard quality received a higher evaluation, factors that significantly enhance everyday computing tasks. Meanwhile, although the MSI Bravo 15 offers a more powerful graphics card and CPU, which might be more appealing for gaming or graphic-intensive tasks, its lower RAM and keyboard evaluation, combined with a shorter battery life, make it less suitable for general use compared to the Gateway.
Content Creation
7.0/10
7.1/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Bravo 15 and Gateway 15.6" 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
6.7/10
6.8/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Bravo 15 and Gateway 15.6" are both only fair 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.
Portability
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gateway 15.6" to have good portability, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gateway 15.6" and the MSI Bravo 15 compare to other laptops
"Some concessions have to be made when shopping for a budget laptop. Walmart's Gateway Ultra Slim laptops succeeds on the affordability front and delivers serviceable specs and good battery life, though it's hard to claim it's the best (or even particularly good) at any particular aspect. Its build quality, especially the touchpad, is mediocre, and its performance is decent but doesn't lead the way. The Gateway does undercut the cost of some competitors and offers ample storage with good connectivity, so it's not to be ignored."
"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 15.6" 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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