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Updated March 13, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming or high-performance tasks, the MSI GF65 Thin offers better graphics capabilities, making it suitable for those needs, but it's bulkier and has shorter battery life compared to the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x. On the other hand, if you seek a balance between performance and portability for everyday use or business tasks, the ThinkBook 13x is lighter and more compact with a longer battery life, but it won't handle intensive graphical tasks as well and typically costs more. Choose the MSI for performance at a lower price and the Lenovo for better portability and battery life at a higher cost. 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 GF65 Thin
- The MSI GF65 Thin has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x.
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
6.5
7.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
262.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
4.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good for general use, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The MSI GF65 Thin offers robust CPU and RAM capabilities suitable for gaming or intensive tasks, but trades off against battery life and portability, which are less favorable for on-the-go usage, whereas the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x provides a balance of good CPU performance, high-quality screen, lighter weight, and longer battery life, making it more ideal for everyday mobility and general tasks. The ThinkBook generally benefits from a more portable design and better screen and battery, while the MSI prioritizes power, which might sacrifice everyday comfort due to its heavier build and shorter battery life.
Engineering and Design
6.7
7.9
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
6.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good for engineering and design, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The MSI GF65 Thin features a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU, making it well-suited for demanding engineering and design tasks, along with a high-quality screen that benefits detailed work. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while still capable for engineering due to its good CPU and RAM, offers greater portability and a refined keyboard, making it a better choice for those who prioritize a balance between performance and mobility.
Content Creation
6.8
8.0
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is very good for content creation, while the MSI GF65 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
6.3
7.9
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good for software development, while the MSI GF65 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
6.8
8.2
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
262.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has a better screen than the MSI GF65 Thin for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The MSI GF65 Thin's screen may not offer the clarity and vibrancy needed for precise engineering tasks where color accuracy is crucial, nor the high refresh rates desired in gaming for smooth visuals. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, with a display that excels in color reproduction and brightness, is suited for general use and professional design work, but like the MSI, it falls short for gaming and 3D applications due to a lower refresh rate. Both laptops would serve well for everyday tasks and productivity, but for users engaged in specialized activities like gaming or graphic design, the visual experience may not be optimal.
Battery
4.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The MSI GF65 Thin has 4.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has 8 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
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has excellent portability, while the MSI GF65 Thin has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.7
7.6
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has good build quality, while the MSI GF65 Thin has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,100
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The MSI GF65 Thin has a price of $1,100 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.8
6.6
6.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The MSI GF65 Thin and Lenovo ThinkBook 13x are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The MSI GF65 Thin, with its gamer-centric GPU and high screen refresh rate, offers smooth and immersive gaming experiences, but compromises on portability due to its bulkier build. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while still providing decent gaming performance due to an adequate GPU and CPU, prioritizes sleek design and screen quality, making it more suitable for on-the-go use and general tasks than intense gaming sessions.
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How the MSI GF65 Thin and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI GF65 Thin | Lenovo ThinkBook 13x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2021 | January 30, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.85'' | 11.6'' x 8.1'' x 0.5'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.1 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 11.6" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.99" | 8.1" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-10500H | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 74 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 262 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | 9.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
MSI GF65 Thin
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | March 2021
"The MSI GF65 Thin offers a GeForce RTX 3060 on a budget. The MSI GF65 is a relatively inexpensive RTX 3060 laptop and, perhaps not coincidentally, it also comes with a slower-than-average RTX 3060 GPU. Other laptops we've tested thus far with the same GPU are about 10 to 15 percent faster. CPU performance is also slightly slower than average unless if users decide to enable Cooler Boost mode. Colors, black-white response times, Thunderbolt, and DisplayPort are either average or completely omitted. Gamers who want to maximize performance-per-dollar without sacrificing RAM or SSD upgradeability will find the lightweight MSI GF65 attractive."
Get a great deal on the MSI GF65 Thin or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
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.
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.
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