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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is a more budget-friendly option with better battery life, a larger screen, and is lighter, thus more suited for general use and portability. However, the MSI Bravo 15 offers superior performance, especially in 3D rendering, machine learning, and is better equipped for gaming due to its dedicated graphics card. The MSI also has hardware ray tracing and DLSS capabilities, making it a better choice for more graphics-intensive tasks. If you prioritize gaming or high-performance needs, the MSI Bravo 15 would be the better choice, despite being heavier and having shorter battery life. If you seek a balance between cost, battery life, and everyday usage, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i could be preferable. 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 Slim 5i
- Good for software development
- Good overall build quality
- Good portability
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Bravo 15
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3
7.2
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Bravo 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i typically has a less powerful GPU and a lower screen refresh rate which is less ideal for gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Bravo 15 usually comes with a stronger GPU and higher refresh rate, enhancing gaming performance and 3D rendering. Although both have capable CPUs and good screen quality, the GPU and refresh rate are more critical for these tasks, giving the MSI Bravo 15 an edge for gamers and those working with 3D graphics.
Software Development
7.4
6.8
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good for software development, while the MSI Bravo 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.
Screen Quality
6.4
6.9
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
315.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a better screen than the MSI Bravo 15 for software development, and content creation, while the MSI Bravo 15 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i offers an adequate display with a resolution and brightness that suffice for everyday tasks, while the MSI Bravo 15's superior brightness and resolution provide clearer and more vibrant visuals. When it comes to engineering and design, the Lenovo's display lacks the wider color gamuts necessary for precise color work, a shortfall the MSI Bravo 15 partially addresses, though it doesn't fully cater to high-end color-critical tasks. For gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as they have lower refresh rates, which means less fluid motion, and while both provide decent resolution and panel type, they don't match the performance sought after by enthusiasts and professionals in this field.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has good portability, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
6.7
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has good build quality, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.1
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
315.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and MSI Bravo 15 are both good for general use.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i offers better portability with a lighter and thinner design compared to the MSI Bravo 15, and has longer battery life on typical use. While the IdeaPad Slim 5i has a higher quality keyboard, screen with a higher brightness and resolution, and more RAM for multitasking, the Bravo 15 counters with a superior graphics card suitable for gaming and a higher refresh rate display, but with lower battery life and portability scores.
Engineering and Design
7.0
7.2
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The MSI Bravo 15 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is equipped with more RAM and an Intel Iris Xe GPU, which is suitable for engineering tasks and design work that require multitasking and decent graphic capabilities, complemented by a high-resolution 16:10 screen that offers more vertical real estate beneficial for design applications.
Content Creation
7.4
7.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and MSI Bravo 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.
Cost
$828
$862
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a price of $828 and the MSI Bravo 15 costs $862.
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and the MSI Bravo 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i | MSI Bravo 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$828 | $862 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.7'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.17 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.02" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.88" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1335U | AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 56.6 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 315 nits | 267 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
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Dig into reviews and images
HT Tech
Robin Sinha | February 2021
"The device is made for average work loads and if your work has a lot to do with online browsing, using apps that are not power-hungry and streaming videos. The looks are really good and the device in itself is not a heavy one. And with Intel 11th-gen Core processor, you might sail through most of your work without complaints."
MSI Bravo 15
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMedia
Nikolay Palaozov | July 2023
"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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i or the MSI Bravo 15
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.
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