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Updated March 13, 2024·
When choosing between the MSI Raider GE78 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, consider that the Raider will offer superior performance for gaming and demanding tasks like 3D modeling or video editing, but it will be heavier and have a shorter battery life, making it less portable. On the other hand, the ThinkBook is more budget-friendly, lightweight, and will have longer battery life, making it ideal for everyday use and mobility, but it won't handle intensive tasks as well. Choose the Raider if high performance is a priority and the ThinkBook for everyday work and travel convenience. 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 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 overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.7
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
384.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
5.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good.
The MSI Raider GE78, with its high-end CPU and ample RAM, offers smooth performance and a superior screen which is ideal for demanding applications, but it is less portable and has shorter battery life, making it less convenient for on-the-go use. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while still providing sufficient power for general use and a quality screen, excels in portability and longer battery life, making it a better option for users who prioritize mobility and all-day use without the need for constant charging.
Gaming and AI
9.5
6.6
9.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is best in class for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is only fair.
The MSI Raider GE78 comes with a powerful GPU and high screen refresh rate, making it superior for gaming and 3D applications where fluid visuals and fast graphics processing are crucial. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while serviceable for lighter gaming and 3D tasks due to its decent CPU and screen quality, lacks the cutting-edge GPU and refresh rate necessary for top-tier performance in these areas.
Engineering and Design
9.4
7.9
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
9.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE78 is excellent for engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good.
The MSI Raider GE78, equipped with a high-end CPU, abundant RAM, and a powerful GPU, offers superior performance for demanding engineering software and high-quality visuals, although it is less portable and could be noisier under load. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x offers a balance with respectable performance in a more portable design and quieter operation, but its lower-tier CPU, RAM, and GPU may not handle intensive tasks as effectively, despite its high-quality screen and keyboard.
Content Creation
8.8
8.0
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Raider GE78 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13x are both very good for content creation, though the MSI Raider GE78 is somewhat better.
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
8.5
7.9
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is very good for software development, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
8.6
8.2
17.3in
SIZE
13.5in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
384.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The MSI Raider GE78 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x for gaming and AI, software development, and content creation.
In choosing between the MSI Raider GE78 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, consider your primary activities on the laptop. If your activities mainly involve browsing, watching videos, and document editing, both laptops offer high resolutions and bright displays that enhance these experiences. However, for tasks requiring precise color accuracy like engineering and design, both are equipped with wide color gamuts, but for gaming and 3D applications, neither has a high refresh rate, making them less ideal for fast-paced visuals.
Battery
6.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The MSI Raider GE78 has 6 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
Poor
Excellent
17.3in
SIZE
13.5in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has excellent portability, while the MSI Raider GE78 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.6
The MSI Raider GE78 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$4,386
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The MSI Raider GE78 has a price of $4,386 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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How the MSI Raider GE78 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Raider GE78 | Lenovo ThinkBook 13x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$4,386 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | January 30, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15'' x 11.7'' x 1.13'' | 11.6'' x 8.1'' x 0.5'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.83 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.97" | 11.6" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.73" | 8.1" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-13980HX | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 2048 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.9 Wh | 74 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 384 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.6/10 | 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 | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
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 Raider GE78 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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