When choosing between the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and the MSI Thin GF63, consider that the ThinkPad typically offers robust build quality and reliability, making it well-suited for business and general use, along with better portability due to its compact design. The MSI, on the other hand, often has a stronger focus on performance, particularly for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks, but this can come at the cost of battery life and it may be heavier to carry around. If premium build and mobility are priorities, the ThinkPad may justify its higher price, while the MSI could be the choice for those prioritizing graphical performance and gaming on a budget. 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 Thin GF63
The MSI Thin GF63 has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkPad X13.
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
321.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
8.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 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 Thin GF63 is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13, with its high-quality CPU and ample RAM, offers smooth multitasking and productivity, along with a high-resolution screen that's easy on the eyes, all in a lightweight and durable package with excellent battery life for on-the-go users; in contrast, the MSI Thin GF63, while also having a solid CPU and enough RAM for everyday tasks, focuses on delivering a larger screen and gaming-capable graphics, but this comes with a tradeoff in battery life and a bit more weight, which might not suit those who prioritize maximum portability and all-day power.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.4/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
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
7.2/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 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 Thin GF63 is good.
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
6.8/10
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
321.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has a better screen than the MSI Thin GF63 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the MSI Thin GF63 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13, with its high resolution and brightness, along with a panel type that supports wide viewing angles, offers a clear and vibrant display which suits general use and detailed work required in engineering and design. However, it may lack a high refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D applications. On the other hand, the MSI Thin GF63 provides an acceptable viewing experience for general use and engineering with fair resolution and brightness, but it falls short for gaming and 3D due to its limited refresh rate and perhaps less superior color accuracy for higher-end design tasks.
Battery
8.5 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has 8.5 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.
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 Thin GF63 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 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
$1,459
$1,150
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has a price of $1,459 and the MSI Thin GF63 costs $1,150.
The MSI Thin GF63 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 may not excel in gaming and 3D tasks due to its typically business-oriented GPU and modest screen refresh rate, while the MSI Thin GF63, designed with gaming in mind, has a stronger GPU and higher screen refresh rate conducive to smoother gaming experiences. However, both will be adequate for casual gaming, with the MSI offering better performance for those uses but the ThinkPad providing better screen quality and processing power for other professional applications.
Engineering and Design
8.0/10
7.5/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad X13 to be very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13, with a robust CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality screen, excels in tasks that demand heavy computational power and precision in visual clarity, crucial for engineering software and detailed design work. Meanwhile, the MSI Thin GF63's combination of a strong CPU, dedicated GPU, and sufficient RAM makes it suitable for engineering and graphics-intensive applications, though its screen and build are better suited for those prioritizing a balance between performance and gaming on the go.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and the MSI Thin GF63 compare to other laptops
"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."
"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 ThinkPad X13 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
126,495
Recommendations made
27,408
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.