Discovering one of the best low cost gaming laptop computer that doesn’t sacrifice too many key options is a headache. Let’s face it. In case you’re spending lower than $1,000 on a laptop computer, it’s certain to buckle below strain operating graphics-heavy titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
Properly, apart from the MSI Cyborg 15.
Filled with a thirteenth Gen Intel CPU and RTX 40-series graphics, I used to be pleasantly shocked with the Cyborg’s 15’s gaming efficiency. No, you received’t get mind-blowing body charges like different wallet-burning, ultra-pricey gaming laptops available on the market, however its internals ship adequate efficiency for many players.
MSI Cyborg 15
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The Cyborg 15 is stripped of all of the bells and whistles that glitzier gaming laptops have, however for those who’re somebody who simply wants the fundamentals – a gaming laptop computer with ample muscle to deal with triple-A video games – the MSI Cyborg 15 is for you.
MSI Cyborg 15 value and specs
MSI Cyborg 15 I’ve in hand has the next specs:
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Intel Core i7-13620H CPU
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Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU
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16GB of RAM
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512GB of SSD storage
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Home windows 11 House
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A 15.6-inch, 1080p show with a 144Hz refresh charge
This assessment unit has an MSRP of $999 (which I can not seem to discover on-line), however for those who want more room, you possibly can snag a configuration that provides 2TB of SSD storage for $1,269 on Amazon.
What I like concerning the MSI Cyborg 15
In relation to funds gaming laptops, OEMs must determine the place to chop corners, and in my view, MSI did job at figuring out which elements are price essentially the most funding.
The efficiency is respectable for a funds gaming laptop computer
MSI Cyborg 15
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
I’ve seen machines buckle below the good stress Cyberpunk 2077 places them via, however as you’ll see within the benchmark sections, the MSI Cyborg 15 can deal with some complicated graphics rendering, significantly for those who toggle on the fitting settings.
A good array of ports
MSI packed this dangerous boy with a good number of I/O choices.
MSI Cyborg 15 ports
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
On the left facet, you’ll discover a Kensington lock slot (good for safety functions), a headset jack, and a USB Kind-A port. On the fitting facet, there’s one other USB Kind-A port in addition to a USB-C port, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet port.
Respectable thermals
I performed Cyberpunk 2077 for half-hour and it was sitting on my laptop computer all the time. Whereas the underside received toasty, it by no means received uncomfortably scorching. The deck remained temperate, too, whereas I put my controller apart and used the keyboard to play the triple-A sport.
What’s “eh” concerning the MSI Cyborg 15?
Yawn! The MSI Cyborg 15 is way from charming.
MSI Cyborg 15 lid
Credit score: MSI Cyborg 15
Certain, it has a futuristic aptitude with clear parts that adorn the underside, the hinge, and the lip. However apart from that, the quilt is wrapped in an uninspiring black hue with a delicate, barely-there stamp of MSI’s insignia: a dragon stuffed inside a defend.
The keyboard is comfy, nevertheless it has some oddities
When you open the lid, there are way more visible goodies to feast your eyes on. The W, A, S, and D keys – in addition to the ability button – undertake extra of that ultramodern clear design that’s sporadically discovered on the lid and laptop computer backside.
MSI Cyborg 15 keyboard
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
There are some quirks, nevertheless, that give me pause. For instance, MSI squeezed in a numpad, and consequently, the arrow keys, in addition to the fitting SHIFT and CTRL keys, are smaller than normal.
I assumed their tinier footprints would throw me off whereas typing, however because it seems, the keyboard is surprisingly fairly comfy. On my every day driver laptop computer, the 14-inch MacBook Professional, I hit 82 phrases per minute (WPM) with an accuracy charge of 97% on the LiveChat typing pace check.
On the MSI Cyborg 15, I hit 83 wpm with an accuracy charge of 95%, which implies I received accustomed to the keyboard fairly shortly. Hell, I felt extra at house with it than with my very own MacBook.
MSI Cyborg 15 keyboard
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The Cyborg 15 has three ranges of backlighting you possibly can play with by urgent F9 and FN concurrently, however what I don’t like is you can’t change its ugly blue hue. And, in fact, as you may need guessed, there’s no RGB lighting on this funds gaming laptop computer.
On the plus facet, the touchpad is spacious and takes up ample actual property on the deck. It additionally has the fitting steadiness of resistance and smoothness for navigating the show with the cursor.
What I dislike concerning the MSI Cyborg 15
Bear in mind – it is a $999 gaming laptop computer. You may’t anticipate the show to blow you away, nevertheless it has the naked minimal specs you want for a good gaming expertise: a 1080p, 15.6-inch panel with a 144Hz refresh charge. Nonetheless, as somebody who usually critiques vivid, wealthy shows, I’ve a heightened aversion to drab screens in comparison with the common Joe.
The show lacks richness and brightness
I don’t have a colorimeter to check this, however I’ve a hunch that the MSI Cyborg 15 would fail the colour accuracy check. Whereas operating Cyberpunk 2077the character Jackie Welles is usually an attention-grabbing character with creepy, outlined facial scars, vivid tattoos, and placing eyes, however on the MSI Cyborg 15, he appeared bland, boring, and lifeless.
Cyberpunk 2077 on the MSI Cyborg 15
Credit score: Kimberly / Mashable
That is par for the course for a budget-friendly gaming laptop computer, so for those who’re high quality with sacrificing top-of-the-line show specs for a wallet-friendly gaming rig, preserve the MSI Cyborg 15 in your shortlist.
I additionally discovered the show to be too dim. In case you usually play video games close to a vibrant window, or worse, you need to take your gaming laptop computer outdoors, I wouldn’t trouble getting the MSI Cyborg 15. Luminance will not be its forte.
The audio system aren’t that nice
The Cyborg 15 comes with downward-firing audio system, and as you’d anticipate from a funds gaming laptop computer, it merely sounds OK.
Cyberpunk 2077 on the MSI Cyborg 15
Credit score: Kimberly / Mashable
I fired up Dangerous Bunny’s “MONACO” tune on Spotify, and the bass had an excessive amount of grit for my tastes, and, total, the snappy tune sounded too tinny on the Cyborg 15. To prime it off, the audio is a little bit too quiet.
MSI Cyborg 15 Geekbench and 3DMark scores
The MSI Cyborg 15 is supplied with an Intel Core i7-13620H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, and the previous impressed us on Geekbench 6 (a CPU efficiency benchmark). It delivered a multi-core rating of 12,075. For context, that is fairly near the 14-inch MacBook Professional (the one with the M2 Professional chip).
Mashable on the MSI Cyborg 15
Credit score: Kimberly / Mashable
We additionally examined the Cyborg 15’s graphical prowess through 3DMark’s Time Spy benchmark, and it notched a rating of 6,907, which actually isn’t that spectacular. The common Time Spy rating for an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU is 8,109, in response to Notebookcheck.
How effectively does Cyberpunk 2077 run on it?
Cyberpunk 2077 is a graphics-intensive sport, and your body charges will undergo for those who don’t have the fitting elements to run it. I’ve seen RTX 4050 GPUs on different laptops fall to their knees after making an attempt to play Cyberpunk 2077so I didn’t have excessive hopes for the Cyborg 15.
Cyberpunk 2077 on the MSI Cyborg 15
Credit score: Kimberly / Mashable
Nevertheless, this MSI gaming laptop computer proved me incorrect. We ran Cyberpunk 2077’s built-in benchmark with the “Excessive” preset on 1080p, and Cyborg 15 delivered a median rating of 54 frames per second, which isn’t half dangerous.
Nevertheless, I used to be capable of kick issues up a notch by turning Deep Studying Tremendous Sampling (DLSS) on. This mode squeezes greater than double the frames by rendering the sport at a decrease decision earlier than using AI upscaling. After activating DLSS, I received a whopping 113 frames per second on the MSI gaming laptop computer.
MSI Cyborg 15 battery life
We ran the PCMark 10 gaming battery life check on the MSI Cyborg 15. It solely lasted one hour and one minute on a single cost.
Nevertheless, this isn’t significantly stunning as a result of gaming laptops – full of highly effective internals – are identified for having poor power effectivity.
MSI Cyborg 15 webcam
“Ok,” I stated once I regarded on the selfie I took with the Cyborg 15’s 720p webcam. Some areas are overexposed (you possibly can see the peach wall behind me has a vibrant white spot).
MSI Cyborg 15 webcam selfie
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
And no, it’s not one of the best at delivering sharp, detailed photos, nevertheless it does an OK job of rendering colours precisely.
Ultimate ideas
In case you’re in search of a gaming laptop computer with all of the bells and whistles – a vividly wealthy show, a vibrant panel, and uncooked graphics efficiency that nets staggeringly excessive body charges – the MSI Cyborg 15 isn’t for you.
Nevertheless, for those who’re a sensible gamer who desires naked bones specs – acceptable body charges, a 1080p show, and a cushty keyboard – the MSI Cyborg 15 is right. Plus, you get all of it for an amazing value.
Subjects
Gaming
Mashable Selection
