If you prioritize ruggedness and a professional environment, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 with its superior build quality and keyboard is a solid investment, particularly if you need a machine that's more reliable for business travel and long work sessions. On the other hand, if gaming or graphic-intensive applications are important to you and cost is a concern, the MSI GF63 Thin offers better graphical performance at a lower price point but may compromise on build quality and battery life. Keep in mind, the ThinkPad typically offers better battery life, which is crucial if you're frequently on the move without access to a power outlet. 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 ThinkPad X13
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Good speakers
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI GF63 Thin
The MSI GF63 Thin has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkPad X13.
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
6.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
321.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
8.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.2 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for general use, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 offers superior CPU and RAM for smoother multitasking, a higher quality screen for sharper visuals, and better battery life for extended use away from a power source, all in a lightweight, easily portable design. Meanwhile, the MSI GF63 Thin, while also portable, may not perform as well in demanding tasks due to less powerful internals and a lower-quality display, but it does maintain reasonable heat management and a quiet operation, which are attractive for uninterrupted gaming or work sessions.
Gaming and AI
6.7/10
6.0/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and MSI GF63 Thin are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is somewhat better.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13, while reliable for general use, has limitations in its graphics processing unit (GPU) and screen refresh rate, making it less ideal for high-end gaming or 3D rendering compared to laptops specifically designed for those tasks. On the other hand, the MSI GF63 Thin offers a more capable GPU and higher refresh rate, enhancing gaming and 3D performance, although its overall screen quality and CPU may not be top-of-the-line.
Engineering and Design
8.0/10
6.0/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 typically boasts a robust CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality screen which are essential for computational and visual demands of engineering and design software, and it often includes a professional-grade GPU to handle complex graphical tasks effectively. Meanwhile, the MSI GF63 Thin, while offering decent CPU and RAM, usually has a consumer-focused GPU and a lower screen quality that might not be as suitable for rigorous engineering applications, though it is lighter making it more portable for on-the-go use.
Content Creation
8.2/10
6.0/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for content creation, while the MSI GF63 Thin 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
8.1/10
6.0/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for software development, while the MSI GF63 Thin 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
6.9/10
6.1/10
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
321.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has a better screen than the MSI GF63 Thin for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13's higher resolution and brightness make it easier on the eyes when browsing or working on documents, while the MSI GF63 Thin's fair screen still provides adequate clarity but may not be as vivid. The color accuracy and wider color gamuts on the ThinkPad X13 better serve engineering and design applications that rely on precise colors, although the GF63's fair screen might not render colors as accurately, which could be critical for professional design work. For gaming and 3D applications, both lack the higher refresh rate preferred for smooth visuals, but the moderate importance of resolution and panel type still gives the MSI GF63 Thin and ThinkPad X13 a baseline suitability for casual gaming or non-professional 3D tasks.
Battery
8.5 Hours
4.2 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has 8.5 hours of battery life. The MSI GF63 Thin has 4.3 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
Very Good
Good
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has very good portability, while the MSI GF63 Thin has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
6.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has very good build quality, while the MSI GF63 Thin has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,241
$599
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has a price of $1,241 and the MSI GF63 Thin costs $599.
"The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 G4 has very good input devices, a wide array of security features and ports as well as 5G in the tested configuration. It is more compact and lightweight compared with its predecessor, and it has improved speakers and a slightly better webcam. On the other hand, the fan is more annoying and the performance is barely improved. The battery is worse as well, but this is primarily attributable to the OLED screen - if this aspect is important, buyers should choose the IPS Low Power LCD."
"If you leave aside the meagre port selection (no card reader, no DisplayPort, no Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1 Gen2), the fan control that could be improved (idle mode!) and the relatively dark and slow display, the MSI GF63 Thin 9SC does not have any major weaknesses. The 15-inch gamer is compact, has a low weight and offers a good price-to-performance ratio, which should please gamers that are looking for both a portable and an affordable gaming notebook. Input devices, battery life, case quality and performance are all appropriate for this purchase price."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 or the MSI GF63 Thin
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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