If budget is a top priority and your computing needs are basic, such as web browsing, email, and document editing, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 may be sufficient and more wallet-friendly. However, if you need more power for tasks like photo editing, lightweight gaming, or multitasking with many applications, the MSI Modern 14 typically offers better performance at a higher price. The MSI may also have a higher build quality and a more premium feel. Battery life can vary, but higher-performing laptops often consume more power. For portability, both are in the 14-inch category, so they should be fairly easy to carry around, but actual weight and thickness may differ slightly. Additionally, consider the screen quality and keyboard comfort, as these greatly affect the user experience. Remember, investing more initially can lead to better satisfaction and fewer upgrades in the near future. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has no clear advantages over the MSI Modern 14.
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
Good for general use
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.1/10
7.2/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
239.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The MSI Modern 14 is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a lower-end CPU, less RAM, and a lower-resolution TN screen, which negatively affects performance and visual quality for general use, while the MSI Modern 14 boasts a more robust CPU, more RAM, and a higher-resolution IPS screen, supporting better multitasking capabilities and improved viewing angles. Additionally, the MSI has a slightly larger battery capacity, which generally provides longer use away from a power source compared to the Lenovo, and although both are similarly portable, the better battery life and overall superior hardware make the MSI Modern 14 better suited for general use.
Gaming and AI
5.5/10
6.0/10
3.5/10
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
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The MSI Modern 14 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" 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
5.5/10
6.6/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Modern 14 is only fair for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" with less RAM, a lower-end CPU, and GPU, and a lower-resolution TN display isn’t well-suited for demanding engineering tasks; on the other hand, the MSI Modern 14 has more RAM, a more capable CPU and integrated graphics, and a higher-resolution IPS display, making it better equipped for such tasks, though both are similarly portable and have good keyboards.
Content Creation
6.2/10
7.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Modern 14 is good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
6.4/10
7.1/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Modern 14 is good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" 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.
Screen Quality
5.3/10
6.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
239.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The MSI Modern 14 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" likely has an inferior panel with lower resolution and brightness, which makes its screen appear less vivid and sharp, thus affecting the quality across all use cases. The MSI Modern 14, with a better-quality panel that offers higher resolution and acceptable brightness levels, would provide clearer and more comfortable viewing for general and engineering purposes, despite possibly lacking the wide color gamuts needed for precise color work. However, both laptops' screens may not have the high refresh rates important for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D applications, which could be why they're rated poorly for those tasks.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has 9 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.
Build Quality
6.0/10
7.0/10
The MSI Modern 14 has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$153
$525
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a price of $153 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" or the MSI Modern 14
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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