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The best MSI computers you can buy
The thing about MSI computers is that opinions are very polarized. People either don’t care for them at all or totally love them. The truth is the brand makes some excellent laptops, desktops, and all-in-one computers. MSI is mainly known for its high-end gaming PCs, but it has an expanded portfolio of options, and some of them are in the market’s budget sector. In this list, we aim to cover the best MSI computers for every type of user, so you’ll find something here regardless of your needs or budget.
What to look for in the best MSI computers?
You have plenty of factors to consider. For starters, what kind of form factor do you prefer? MSI sells laptops, desktops, and all-in-ones. Of course, laptops offer portability, and MSI offers them in all shapes and sizes. Those who require more power can opt for a full desktop, which will provide improved performance, cooling, and customization. If you don’t want to deal with finding the right monitor, mouse, and keyboard, you can also go for an all-in-one PC, which will pretty much be a monitor with all PC components built right into the body. Of course, this decision is highly subjective, so you’ll have to figure out what kind of experience you want.
MSI offers various options in every category, with different users in mind. What you need will depend on your needs, but we wouldn’t recommend that you go any lower than an Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM. Computers with said specs can perform well for everyday tasks and even handle some light gaming. They also tend to be pretty affordable.
If you require more performance, you can move up to an Intel Core i5, i7, or even an i9. Furthermore, customers should get the latest Intel processor generations available, which are 11th and 12th generation right now. That said, 12th-gen Intel processors are still hard to find. Sadly, MSI doesn’t offer any worthy options with AMD Ryzen processors yet, so you’ll have to go with Intel if you want one of the best MSI computers. Additionally, you can upgrade your RAM to 16GB, 32GB, or even more.
Of course, pricing is another factor, and MSI is all over the place on this one. Some of their computers offer tremendous value, with specs and features that easily undercut the competition. On the other hand, some of their higher-end computers with great designs, fancy lighting, and other added features can be a bit over-priced. Again, what you go for depends on your needs and wants (because we love that RGB lighting!).
Of course, there are other factors to consider. Gamers and creatives might want to benefit from a better screen, while media consumers might also want premium audio. Battery life is essential, and you probably won’t get the best if you opt for a high-end gaming laptop. Business users might want more traditional aesthetics and a better keyboard. You likely won’t find a computer that meets every single need of yours, but we’ll help you get as close as possible.
The best MSI computers
- The MSI GS76 Stealth is a gaming beast and arguably the very best MSI computers have to offer.
- The MSI GE76 Raider is a better-looking high-end laptop with powerful specs and plenty of RGB lighting.
- The MSI Sword 17 is for those who need a good gaming laptop that won’t cost a small fortune.
- The MSI Aegis RS takes your gaming to the next level, offering full desktop power with no compromises.
- The MSI MEG Trident X finds a balance between high-end performance and a smaller form factor.
- The MSI Cubi 5 will save you a lot of space, offering a tiny profile and good specs for casual usage.
- The MSI Modern AM242TP eliminates all the clutter with an all-in-one design and a great overall experience.
- The MSI Creator 15 features a gorgeous screen and powerful specs to meet your creativity needs.
- The MSI Summit E13FlipEvo looks and performs the part for business users.
- The MSI GF63 Thin will be light on your wallet while meeting all your school and gaming needs.
Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best MSI computers as new devices launch.
The best gaming laptop: MSI GS76 Stealth
The MSI GS76 Stealth is widely known in the gaming community, and it’s among the best gaming laptops you can get right now. Be ready to pay a good chunk of change for it, as the MSRP starts at $1,999 for the base version. You can imagine how expensive this MSI computer can get once you start throwing upgrades at it.
You’ll get quite the device, though. For starters, it has a gorgeous slim design that’s only 0.8in thick. The bezel is minimal, and the keyboard is exceptional, featuring per-key RGB lighting that allows it to offer a light show like no other.
Additionally, MSI makes no compromises on specs. The base version sports an 11th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and an NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU. You’ll also get a large 17.3-inch display with a 3ms response time and a 300Hz refresh rate. Upgrade to the top-tier version, and you’ll get an Intel Core i9 chip, 64GB of RAM, 2TB of storage, NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU, and a 4K screen.
The second best gaming laptop: MSI GE76 Raider
Those looking for a powerful gaming laptop with a more obvious gaming aesthetic will love the MSI GE76 Raider. Just look at that RGB light bar! You get the same per-key RGB lighting in the keyboard, as well as a spacecraft-like design that offers better angling, improved ventilation, and overall excellent performance.
It’s not quite as mind-blistering as the MSI GS76 Stealth, but the GE76 Raider can hold its own. Specs can go up to an Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and an NVIDIA RTX 3070 GPU. The screen is also hefty at 17.3 inches (1080p), but the refresh rate is pretty nice at 360Hz.
The best budget gaming laptop: MSI Sword 17
The other gaming laptops on this list are stunning, but they are pricey. Honestly, they can also be a bit overkill for most gamers. If you don’t need the absolute best performance and want to find an MSI computer with a better bang-per-buck ratio, the MSI Sword 17 is a great alternative.
The MSRP is $1,299.99, but you can often find it at a discount, and we’ve seen it go as low as about $1,150. You’ll get an 11th-gen Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA 3050 TI GPU. These specs are enough to have plenty of fun, and you can even use the device for editing photos and video.
The screen is large at 17.3 inches. Resolution is average at 1080p, but it also comes with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time.
The best full gaming desktop: MSI Aegis RS
Gaming laptops are nice for multi-purpose usage and portability, but true gamers know they aren’t the optimal gaming tool. PC gamers get much more performance from full desktop components, much better cooling, and customization. The MSI Aegis RS checks all the boxes if you’re looking for one of the best MSI computers, and it also happens to look great.
It helps that MSI offers a lot of options for this gaming desktop, so there are plenty of variants to pick from, but none are really affordable. Pricing starts at $2,199.99 and can go as high as $4,699.99. These are now available with 12th-generation Intel Core processors, which is a rare feature to find due to the recent launch of the new chipsets.
Also remarkable is the addition of CPU liquid cooling, not to mention lots of ports and expansion slots, which laptops can never match.
The best compact gaming desktop: MSI MEG Trident X
Full desktop towers are great, but not everyone can spare all that space. The MSI MEG Trident X offers a more compact profile for those without much desk space to spare. And even if it doesn’t look as extreme, it’s still sports that gaming aesthetic, RGB lighting, and fun look we know you love.
All that said, don’t think you’ll save money with this compact desktop PC. It has a higher starting price than the MSI Aegis RS series at $2,699.99 MSRP. The top-end variant can cost $4,699.99.
Specs can go as high as an Intel Core i9, 64GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX 3090 GPU.
The best tiny desktop: MSI Cubi 5
Desktop MSI computers don’t need to be huge, flashy, and powerful. Many users will do just fine with a simple setup that takes little to no space on your desk. The MSI Cubi 5 is simple and convenient for those who don’t need mobility or extreme performance.
The only downside is that the 10th-generation processor is getting older by now, but you still get an Intel Core i5, which is more than capable even for light gaming. Other specs include 8GB of RAM, 256GB of RAM, and integrated graphics. It helps this is the most affordable option on this list.
The best All-In-One: MSI Modern AM242TP
Forget about MSI computers lying around your desk. The MSI Modern AM242TP has it all included in the monitor’s body, making for a much cleaner setup that will free most of your desk space.
Specs can’t get that beefy, but most casual users will find it capable enough. You get to pick between an Intel Core i5 or i7, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, or 256GB to 512GB of storage. You’ll also enjoy a large 23.8-inch IPS LED display with a 1080p screen.
You can choose between black or white to better match your surroundings, and it even comes with an integrated webcam.
The best for creatives: MSI Creator 15
Creatives have specific needs, and the MSI Creator 15 meets them very well. I mean, it’s in the name! For starters, video and photo editors who need perfect color accuracy will enjoy the 15.6-inch 4K screen with 100% of the DCI-P3 spectrum.
Of course, you’ll get all the specs you need to run all your creative apps and tasks. These include an 11th-gen Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, and either an NVIDIA RTX 3060 or 3080 GPU.
Additionally, you won’t get the gaming aesthetics, which we know don’t always look fitting in a work environment. The backlit keyboard sticks to white lighting, and the overall design has been streamlined.
The best for business: MSI Summit E13FlipEvo
You can’t waltz into a professional meeting with flashy RGB lights or badly-designed laptops. Business users need a touch of elegance. The MSI Summit E13FlipEvo almost looks like a fashion piece, offering a sleek design with attractive golden accents.
Of course, you’ll get plenty of business-centric features, including enterprise-grade security, MSI Pen support, a 360-degree rotatable hinge, a great backlit keyboard for all your document typing, and extraordinary 20-hour battery life.
Related: The best 2-in-1 laptops
There’s also a white option if you think the black and gold coloring is too much. What’s best is that pricing isn’t outrageous. This is far more accessible than most other gaming MSI computers.
The best for students: MSI GF63 Thin
Students might have difficulty finding the best MSI computer, but we believe the MSI GF63 Thin finds a great balance. It’s one of the most affordable gaming laptops around, which is great considering students often don’t have money to throw around.
Despite the lower price-point, the laptop has enough power for light gaming, as well as creative applications, as long as you keep your expectations in check. Many versions are available, with different specs and price points, but all come with a dedicated GPU, which puts it ahead of other affordable competitors.
The best part is they’re often discounted, and we’ve seen some go for as low as $600.
FAQs
Q: Are MSI computers worth it?
A: That highly depends on your needs and preferences. We find the lower-end gaming laptops from MSI offer incredible value. The company offers some of the most affordable gaming laptops, and they can handle gaming relatively well for under $1,000. On the higher-end of the spectrum, MSI offers excellent build quality and a premium experience that few competitors can match. Even the pre-built desktops are more outstanding than those coming from other companies.
Q: What kind of processor do I need?
A: MSI is all about Intel Core processors, which isn’t bad, but you need to pick the right one. As mentioned before, you should go with nothing lower than an Intel Core i3, even if the computer is for casual use, as the price difference starts to become irrelevant. We like recommending only 11th and 12th-generation Intel processors, but sometimes 10th-gen ones are very good, especially if they come at a steep discount. Gamers and editors can live with an i5, but an Intel Core i7 or i9 will offer the best performance, with no slowdowns.
Q: How much RAM do I need?
A: We can’t give you a straight answer because how much RAM you need depends on your apps, the number of tasks you’ll run continuously, and other factors. We recommend sticking with at least 8GB of RAM, though. Preferably 16GB and above.
Q: Do I need a discrete GPU?
A: Not necessarily, but dedicated GPUs help a lot, especially when running graphics-intensive processes, such as gaming, video editing, or running multiple monitors. This is especially the case if said monitors have 4K resolutions.
Q: Why should I get a desktop over a laptop or all-in-one?
A: Desktops are bulky, expensive, and inconvenient, but these sacrifices come with benefits. For starters, full desktop components aren’t the same as laptops, which all-in-one computers often use. Desktop CPUs, RAM, and GPU are more capable. Furthermore, the larger casing allows for more customization, ports, and room to work. Not to mention airflow is significantly better in desktop PCs than crammed laptops or all-in-one computers. Cooling is essential for performance, as over-heated components throttle to avoid hardware malfunctions.
If you’re not convinced by the best MSI computers around, you might also want to check out our lists of the best desktops, best gaming laptops, and best general laptops.