If the higher cost of the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i is within your budget, and if you prioritize strong performance for demanding tasks like engineering or video editing, then it might be the better option. It likely has a more powerful processor and possibly more RAM, which is beneficial for such intensive tasks. However, if portability is a concern, the MSI Thin GF63, as suggested by its name, might be lighter and easier to carry around, which is great for general use or if you travel frequently. Additionally, if your work mostly involves less demanding tasks or if you're a gamer, the MSI Thin GF63 may offer a better price-to-performance ratio, especially if it has a dedicated graphics card, making it a cost-effective choice for daily use and gaming. The tradeoff here is between higher cost and better performance for intensive tasks with the Lenovo, against budget-friendliness and portability with the MSI. 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 Pro 5i
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Good battery life
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Thin GF63
The MSI Thin GF63 has no clear advantages over the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i.
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.9/10
6.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Thin GF63 is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i offers solid gaming and 3D experiences due to its high-performance GPU and a satisfactory screen refresh rate, but it does so with a higher resolution screen which may affect game smoothness compared to the MSI Thin GF63, which pairs the same powerful GPU with a higher refresh rate, favoring gamers who prioritize fluid motion and responsiveness in fast-paced games. While both have capable CPUs and quality displays, the MSI's advantage in refresh rate and the Lenovo's better resolution and screen quality present different appeals depending on your gaming or 3D application priorities.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.5/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
6.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i outshines the MSI Thin GF63 for engineering and design use with a more advanced CPU and superior screen quality, offering higher resolution and color coverage essential for detail-oriented tasks. The MSI Thin GF63, while similar in RAM and GPU, has a less capable CPU and offers a lower screen resolution and color accuracy, potentially making it less optimal for intricate engineering and design applications.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.2/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i and MSI Thin GF63 are both good for software development, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i is somewhat better.
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
7.8/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
409.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i has a better screen than the MSI Thin GF63 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i offers a higher resolution and brighter display, which makes for a sharper and clearer viewing experience compared to the MSI Thin GF63. In engineering and design tasks, the Lenovo's superior color coverage with wider gamut ensures more accurate color representation, which is crucial for detail-oriented work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the MSI may provide a smoother experience despite its lower overall quality, as higher refresh rates are more beneficial in these scenarios than superior color accuracy or resolution.
Battery
6.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Thin GF63 has 4.5 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
7.6/10
6.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i has good build quality, while the MSI Thin GF63 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$950
$1,150
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i has a price of $950 and the MSI Thin GF63 costs $1,150.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i and MSI Thin GF63 are both good for general use.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i offers a robust CPU and higher-quality screen which is great for clear visuals and multitasking, along with better portability due to its longer battery life and lighter design, making it ideal for users who need to work or enjoy media on the go. In contrast, the MSI Thin GF63 also has a strong CPU and ample RAM for general tasks, but with a lower resolution display and shorter battery life it's more suited for those who prioritize performance over screen quality and are okay with more frequent charging.
Content Creation
7.7/10
7.4/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i and MSI Thin GF63 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.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i and MSI Thin GF63 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i and the MSI Thin GF63 compare to other laptops
"Lenovo’s IdeaPad Pro 5i represents an impressive opening salvo for Meteor Lake in the ultraportable space against familiar foes from AMD and Apple. Not only does the Core Ultra 5 125H processor provide good performance across the board, but battery life remains a strong point against the Acer Swift Edge 16 with its AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor. It can’t quite match the endurance of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but the gap is shrinking."
"The MSI GF63 Thin 11SC can be an admirable value for gamers and power users on a minimal budget. For just $599 as reviewed in its base model, its Intel Core i5 H-class processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics perform much better than low-wattage CPUs and integrated graphics. That said, this is a light-class gaming laptop. Low scores in our demanding gaming benchmarks indicate using lower visual-quality settings will be required for playable performance."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i or the MSI Thin GF63
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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