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Updated January 10, 2024·
The MSI GF63 Thin is more affordable and offers moderate performance suitable for general use and light gaming, with its less powerful GPU and processor. Its lighter weight makes it more portable, but it has a lower battery life and screen quality compared to the premium MSI Raider GE78. The Raider, with its higher price, boasts superior performance with a top-of-the-line processor and GPU, making it ideal for intensive 3D work, machine learning, and gaming. It also features a higher quality display with a larger screen, more RAM, and more storage but is heavier and less portable. Choose the GF63 Thin for everyday tasks and casual use or the Raider GE78 for demanding applications and the best gaming experience. 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 MSI GF63 Thin
- Good portability
Advantages of the MSI Raider GE78
- Very good for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Best in class for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.0
8.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
249.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
4.2 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is very good for general use, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
The MSI GF63 Thin is fair for general use with essential strengths like good keyboard and speaker quality, but it's challenged by modest battery life and heat management, plus an older CPU and standard screen quality, making it suitable for less demanding tasks and benefiting portability. In contrast, the MSI Raider GE78 excels in general use with its high-end CPU, ample RAM, superior screen quality, and exceptional speaker and build quality, yet less portability due to its larger size and weight, and is best for those who need robust performance and can tolerate a shorter battery life and carrying extra weight..
Gaming and AI
6.0
9.5
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is best in class for gaming and AI, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
The MSI Raider GE78 outshines the MSI GF63 Thin in gaming and 3D tasks with a far superior GPU, the Nvidia RTX 4090, compared to the GF63 Thin's Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q, and a much higher screen refresh rate for smoother visuals. Additionally, the GE78's powerful CPU and superior screen quality augment its gaming prowess, whereas the GF63 Thin offers more modest capabilities in these aspects.
Engineering and Design
6.0
9.4
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE78 is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
The MSI GF63 Thin is fair for engineering and design use because it has modest specifications, featuring a mid-range processor with limited RAM and a lower-tier graphics card suitable for less demanding tasks, whereas the MSI Raider GE78 is equipped with a high-end processor, substantial RAM, and a top-of-the-line graphics card, enabling excellent performance for demanding engineering software and design tasks. Furthermore, the Raider GE78 boasts a superior screen with higher resolution and color accuracy, which is crucial for precise design work, but is heavier and less portable compared to the GF63 Thin.
Content Creation
6.0
8.8
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Raider GE78 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
6.0
8.5
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 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
6.1
8.6
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
249.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The MSI Raider GE78 has a better screen than the MSI GF63 Thin for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If you prioritize a vibrant, sharp display for tasks like document editing or web browsing, both the MSI GF63 Thin and MSI Raider GE78 excel with their resolution and panel quality, but the Raider GE78 offers better overall clarity and luminosity. For engineering and design work, where accurate color representation is key, the Raider GE78 is superior due to its wider color gamut, providing richer and more precise colors. On the other hand, gamers and 3D designers may find both models lacking, as neither boasts a high refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth motion and responsiveness in fast-paced visual environments.
Battery
4.2 Hours
6.0 Hours
The MSI GF63 Thin has 4.3 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE78 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
Poor
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
6.8 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
1.1in
The MSI GF63 Thin has good portability, while the MSI Raider GE78 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.5
8.5
The MSI Raider GE78 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
$599
$4,386
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The MSI GF63 Thin has a price of $599 and the MSI Raider GE78 costs $4,386.
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How the MSI GF63 Thin and the MSI Raider GE78 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI GF63 Thin | MSI Raider GE78 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $4,386 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.85'' | 15'' x 11.7'' x 1.13'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.1 lbs | 6.83 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 14.97" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.99" | 11.73" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-10300H | Intel i9-13980HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 2048 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.25 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 249 nits | 384 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 4 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
MSI GF63 Thin
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | January 2020
"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."
MSI Raider GE78
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | March 2023
"Performance-wise, the GE78 offers a significant boost over the GE77 for just slightly higher power consumption. You'll have to get the RTX 4080 or 4090 configurations to see the performance advantages, however, as the RTX 4070 is closer in performance to the older RTX 3080 Ti. In terms of design, some users might prefer the 16:9 minimalistic look of the older GE77 over the 16:10 retro-inspired GE78 and vice versa. We wouldn't call one better than the other in terms of aesthetics, but we'll give the edge to the GE78 for its stronger hinges and larger keys and clickpad."
Get a great deal on the MSI GF63 Thin or the MSI Raider GE78
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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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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