Gaming laptops are often seen as bulky, expensive, and not exactly travel-friendly. But the MSI Thin GF63 challenges that stereotype by offering solid gaming performance in a lightweight, slim body—at a price point that won’t drain your wallet. With a 144Hz refresh rate, 13th Gen Intel Core i7, and RTX 4050 GPU, this laptop aims to hit the sweet spot between power and portability.
I tested the MSI Thin GF63 for a week, playing games, editing media, and doing everyday work. Here’s a full breakdown of its real-world performance.
Design and Build Quality
The name “Thin” isn’t just marketing. This MSI laptop weighs just under 4 pounds and is impressively slim for a gaming machine. The brushed metal finish on the lid gives it a sleek, modern look without going overboard on RGB or aggressive styling. It’s definitely subtle enough to take into a classroom or office without drawing too much attention.
That said, it’s not the most rigid chassis. The lid and keyboard deck have a bit of flex, which is acceptable in this price range but worth noting if you’re expecting premium build quality.
Display: 144Hz Makes a Big Difference
The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate is one of the standout features here. Scrolling and gameplay feel noticeably smoother compared to 60Hz screens, and this makes a real difference in fast-paced games like Valorant, Apex Legends, or even Fortnite.
Color reproduction is decent, though not super vibrant—this isn’t a color-accurate display for design professionals, but for gaming and streaming, it more than does the job.
Performance: Powered by Intel and NVIDIA
Under the hood, this model packs:
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13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H
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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
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16GB DDR5 RAM
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512GB NVMe SSD
This is a solid mid-range configuration that handles most modern games smoothly at 1080p. I played titles like GTA V, Cyberpunk 2077 (on medium settings), and Call of Duty: Warzone with respectable frame rates.
For productivity, it’s also a beast. Whether you’re editing videos, running virtual machines, or managing 30 browser tabs, the system held up without lag. Thermal performance is decent, with fans getting loud under load but doing their job effectively.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly gaming laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance or portability, the MSI Thin GF63 is a fantastic option. It’s powerful enough to handle the latest games, light enough to carry daily, and affordable enough to make high-end gaming more accessible.
For students, casual gamers, or even creators on a budget, this machine balances specs and style impressively well.
