Review of the MSI Thin A15 15.6” 144Hz FHD Gaming Laptop:

MSI Thin A15 15.6” 144Hz FHD Gaming Laptop: A Blend of Power and Efficiency

The MSI Thin A15 combines solid gaming performance with sleek design at a competitive price point. It’s built for gamers and content creators looking for a smooth experience without breaking the bank. With AMD’s Ryzen 5-7535HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050, this laptop is optimized for mid-range gaming, multitasking, and content creation. Let’s dive deeper into its features and performance.

Design and Build

The MSI Thin A15 stays true to its name with a slim, minimalist design. Its black chassis provides a professional look without being too flashy, making it suitable for both gaming and work environments. Weighing around 2.2 kg, it’s portable for a gaming laptop. The backlit keyboard adds a touch of gaming aesthetic while being functional in low-light environments.

  • Dimensions: 14.13″L x 0.09″W x 9.99″Th
  • Weight: ~2.2 kg
  • Color: Black
  • Design: Simplistic with a professional finish.

Display

The 15.6” Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate is perfect for gamers who prioritize smooth, immersive visuals. With a 1920 x 1080 resolution, you get crisp images, though the 45% color gamut might disappoint content creators who rely on color accuracy.

  • Display Type: LCD
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
  • Refresh Rate: 144Hz
  • Color Gamut: 45%

Verdict on Display: Great for fast-paced gaming with fluid visuals, but color accuracy is not its strongest suit for professional-grade content creation.

Performance

The MSI Thin A15 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5-7535HS, which offers solid performance for both gaming and multitasking. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 brings ray tracing capabilities, making modern games look stunning with real-time lighting effects. However, the RTX 2050 is an entry-level GPU in the RTX series, so it’s better suited for mid-level gaming rather than AAA titles at ultra settings.

  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS (3.3 GHz, boosts up to 4.55 GHz)
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 (4 GB GDDR6 VRAM)
  • RAM: 8GB DDR5 (expandable up to 64GB)
  • Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD

For casual gamers or those who don’t mind lowering settings for demanding games, this combination delivers an excellent gaming experience. The DDR5 RAM and NVMe SSD ensure fast boot times and multitasking, though the 8GB RAM may feel limiting in memory-intensive applications. Thankfully, it’s easily upgradable to 64GB.

Thermals and Cooling

The Cooler Boost 5 system helps the laptop maintain performance under heavy loads, with multiple fans and heat pipes efficiently dissipating heat. While gaming for extended periods, the fans may get loud, but it’s a worthy trade-off for keeping the internals cool.

  • Cooling System: Cooler Boost 5
  • Noise: Noticeable under load, but effective cooling.

Connectivity and Ports

MSI provides all essential ports, making the Thin A15 versatile for gamers and creators alike. With Wi-Fi 6E, you can expect fast and stable wireless connections for gaming or streaming. The laptop also includes an Ethernet port, which is great for low-latency gaming sessions.

  • USB Ports: 3 (multiple types)
  • HDMI: 1 (supports up to 2 monitors)
  • Ethernet Port: 1
  • Bluetooth Version: 5.3
  • Wi-Fi Generation: Wi-Fi 6E

Audio

The built-in speakers offer decent sound quality, but nothing exceptional. For gamers or creators who need immersive audio, it’s recommended to use external headphones or speakers.

  • Audio Features: Built-in speakers and microphone
  • Audio Output: Headphones, speakers
  • Audio Recording: Yes

Battery Life

The 51Wh lithium-polymer battery is average for a gaming laptop, offering around 4-6 hours of usage during light tasks such as web browsing or media consumption. During gaming, expect significantly less battery life, around 2-3 hours depending on the intensity of the game. While not groundbreaking, this battery life is standard for gaming laptops.

  • Battery Capacity: 51 Watt-hours
  • Expected Battery Life: 2-6 hours (depending on usage)

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Affordable for a gaming laptop with ray tracing capabilities.
  • Ryzen 5 7535HS provides great performance for gaming and multitasking.
  • 144Hz display ensures smooth gaming visuals.
  • Upgradable RAM (up to 64GB) and storage options.
  • Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast, modern wireless connectivity.
  • Cooler Boost 5 keeps thermals in check during long gaming sessions.

Cons:

  • 8GB RAM feels limiting out of the box (requires upgrading for heavy multitasking).
  • The RTX 2050 is an entry-level GPU in the RTX family, limiting ultra settings in demanding games.
  • 45% color gamut is insufficient for professional content creators.
  • Battery life is subpar during gaming sessions.
  • Fan noise can be loud under load.

Final Verdict

The MSI Thin A15 is a solid mid-range gaming laptop that offers good value for its price. Its combination of the Ryzen 5-7535HS and RTX 2050 makes it ideal for gamers looking to enjoy modern titles at medium settings and for those seeking a laptop that balances work, creation, and entertainment. While it falls short in areas like RAM capacity and color accuracy, its upgradeability makes it a flexible choice. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly gaming laptop with room for future upgrades, the MSI Thin A15 should be on your radar.