The HP Pavilion 15 is equipped with an Intel i3 processor, has a larger screen at 15.6 inches but a lower screen resolution, and weighs more, which may affect portability. On the other hand, the MSI Modern 14 offers an AMD Ryzen 5 processor typically known for better multitasking and efficiency, a smaller but higher resolution IPS screen which means better color reproduction and viewing angles, and it is lighter, making it easier to carry around. The HP might be more suited for everyday tasks and could have a longer battery life, while the MSI could be better for tasks that demand more processing power and for users who value screen quality and portability. 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 HP Pavilion 15
The HP Pavilion 15 has no clear advantages over the MSI Modern 14.
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
Good for software development
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
5.3/10
6.4/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The MSI Modern 14 has a better screen than the HP Pavilion 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
For general use, where panel type, resolution, and brightness play a vital role, the HP Pavilion 15's lower-quality screen can make text less sharp and images less vibrant, whereas the MSI Modern 14, with fair screen quality, provides a better overall visual experience, though not top-notch. In tasks requiring precise color work such as engineering and design, the HP Pavilion 15 falls short due to limited color range; the MSI offers a fair experience, properly displaying a broader spectrum of colors, although it may not satisfy professionals seeking the highest accuracy. Gamers and 3D designers might find both laptops lacking, with the HP offering subpar experiences due to a low refresh rate, while the MSI, though fair for casual games and basic 3D work, wouldn't be suitable for high-frame-rate gaming or advanced 3D rendering.
Battery
3.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The HP Pavilion 15 has 3 hours of battery life. The MSI Modern 14 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
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 has very good portability, while the HP Pavilion 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2/10
7.0/10
The MSI Modern 14 has good build quality, while the HP Pavilion 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
The MSI Modern 14 and HP Pavilion 15 are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
6.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The HP Pavilion 15 and MSI Modern 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The HP Pavilion 15 and the MSI Modern 14 are rated fair for gaming and 3D because they both have modestly capable integrated GPUs, the Intel UHD Xe G4 and AMD Vega 7 respectively, and standard 60Hz screen refresh rates which are sufficient for casual gaming but may not deliver the smoothest experience for intense gaming or high-end 3D applications. While the HP has a lower resolution TN panel offering less vibrant colors and viewing angles, the MSI features a higher resolution IPS screen which has better image quality and wider viewing angles, but still, CPU performance from both the Intel i3 and AMD Ryzen 5 is only somewhat powerful, so they may struggle with more demanding tasks..
Engineering and Design
6.2/10
6.6/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Modern 14 and HP Pavilion 15 are both only fair for engineering and design.
The HP Pavilion 15 offers sufficient RAM and a fair CPU for basic engineering and design tasks but its screen quality is low, which is less ideal for detailed design work; whereas the MSI Modern 14 also has adequate RAM and a better CPU for these tasks, and its superior screen quality makes it more suitable for design-related activities, however, its smaller screen size might be less preferable for extensive engineering projects. Both laptops offer fair portability and keyboard quality, but only the HP has a built-in number pad, which may be beneficial for numerical input, and while the MSI generates less operating noise, making it more comfortable for long sessions, it may lack the robustness in GPU that demanding engineering software could require.
Content Creation
7.1/10
7.2/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Modern 14 and HP Pavilion 15 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
6.6/10
7.1/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Modern 14 to be good for software development, while the HP Pavilion 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.
Cost
$600
$600
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The HP Pavilion 15 has a price of $600 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $600.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HP Pavilion 15 and the MSI Modern 14 compare to other laptops
"The HP Pavilion 15 carries a fair amount of power and a sharp display in its handsome slimline shell. It's not perfect, but it's a hard worker. This is wonderfully designed and totes a heck of a lot of desktop power, with the added benefit of a decent webcam and a full-sized keyboard. If you're getting down to business on a budget, it's a great fit."
Alexander Tozzi, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | October 2023
"The MSI Modern 14 is okay for school use. It's very compact, so it's easy to carry around. It has a sharp display, a spacious keyboard, and a reasonably large touchpad. Its Intel 13th Gen CPU and integrated graphics can handle general productivity tasks like text processing and web browsing; however, don't expect to do anything intensive like 3D modeling or physics simulations. Unfortunately, the battery lasts less than five hours of light use, and the display doesn't get bright enough to combat glare."
Get a great deal on the HP Pavilion 15 or the MSI Modern 14
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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