MSI Thin 15 review

MSI Thin 15 (2024): the general-class sleeper with RTX graphics at $650

The MSI Thin 15 is a 2024 15-inch laptop classified in the general category — not a gaming-branded machine — yet carrying an eight-core Core i5-13420H, a GeForce RTX 2050 with 4 GB of VRAM, and 64 GB of RAM, listed at $650. Two years old, it posts the general-class standout sheet: top-quartile graphics, double the category's memory norm, and no low-band axis anywhere.

Overall performance reads 68.08 — high band, 58.1 percent above the general-class median of 43.05, top quartile. Light office lands top-band at 91.91. Tested fit checks clear recommended bars for Overwatch, Grand Theft Auto V, and Rainbow Six Siege, with Photoshop and Visual Studio Code passing minimum — a broad envelope for a non-gaming-branded listing.

Where it holds up well

Graphics is the flagged strength: 66 against a general-class median of 27.24 — a 142.3 percent advantage, high band, top quartile. The 64 GB of RAM doubles the category's 32 GB median at pro tier, and photo design responds with a top-band 91. Light office at 91.91 (top) and performance at 68.08 (high) complete the sheet, whose most notable property is the absence of any low reading.

For a buyer who wants dedicated-GPU capability and full memory without the gaming-brand premium, this is the category's quiet answer.

Where it asks for compromise

The verdict flags no serious weak spots among peer deltas, and the absolute levels agree — the caveats are ceilings, not failures. Gaming reads 58 (mid): the RTX 2050's 4 GB allotment sets the texture tier. Modeling and CAD sit mid-band at 56, portability at 44.2 (mid) records a standard 15-inch body, and value at 55.05 (mid) is fair at the ask.

The Thin branding also implies a lighter build than gaming chassis, though the portability index reads mid-band rather than high.

Price and depreciation

No depreciation anchor exists for this listing, so no two-year projection is offered. The class rate for the segment is 13.89 percent per year. At $650 the machine ties the 2024 Aspire pair on price while bringing dedicated graphics and double their memory — the cross-category value position.

Alternatives to consider

The Acer A325-42 at the same $650 offers reliability 89 and an even sheet without dedicated graphics. The MSI Thin A15 at the same price posts the stronger GPU reading (75.91) with the same memory — the within-family choice. Upward, $922 buys gaming-class chassis. This machine's case: the no-low-band general-class sheet with RTX entry at the budget ask.

Bottom line

The MSI Thin 15 pairs top-quartile graphics for its class (66, +142.3 percent), 64 GB of RAM, top-band office (91.91) and photo design (91), and a high-band 68.08 performance index at $650 — with no low-band axis anywhere on the sheet. Compromise: mid-band gaming at 58 on the RTX 2050's 4 GB.

For budget buyers wanting GPU capability plus memory headroom, it is the category's sleeper pick.