MSI Cyborg 15 review: Affordable gaming graphics, but not much else

Price When Reviewed

$999.99

Best Prices Today: MSI Cyborg 15

MSI is understood for its radically highly effective gaming machines. Right now, the newest providing is a semi-compact gaming laptop computer known as the Cyborg 15. The value is correct at simply over $1,000 and the newer Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU is a beast within the graphics division. That stated, we had a couple of caveats about this explicit machine.

The laptop computer holds again with the processor, which is an Intel Core i5 from the 12th era. It’s an older mannequin, which suggests this machine falls behind a bit in processing duties. According to my preliminary efficiency measurements, this laptop appears to under-perform when in comparison with the competitors. I get comparable outcomes from laptops with extra power-efficient P-type Intel Core processors. Nitpicks aide, if it’s pure graphics you’re after, then graphics you’ll get.

Looking for extra choices? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best gaming laptops obtainable proper now.

MSI Cyborg 15: Specifications

Processor: Intel Core i5-12450H with 4 Performance cores as much as 4,4 GHz + 4 Efficiency cores as much as 3,3 GHz
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 8GB
Memory: 16 GB DDR5
Storage: 512 GB SSD
Display: 15.6 inch matte IPS, 1920×1080 pixels, 144 Hz
Webcam: 720p
Connections: USB 3 gen 1 kind c with DisplayPort, 2 pcs USB 3 gen 1 kind a, USB 2.0, lan, HDMI, headset
Wireless: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
Operating system: Windows 11 Home
Other: Backlit keyboard, numeric keypad
Noise stage: 0-42 dBa
Battery life: 1 hr 35 min (excessive load), 8 hr 50 min (low load)
Size: 35.9 x 25 x 2 cm
Weight: 4.36 kilos
Price: $999 (baseline), $1099 (as configured)

MSI Cyborg 15: Performance

Cinebench R23, CPU: 8,824 factors
Cinebench R23, CPU and core: 1,556 factors
Geekbench 6, CPU: 8,889 factors
Geekbench 6, CPU and core: 2,138 factors
Geekbench 6, GPU: 77,857 factors
Disk learn: 3,628.11 MB/s
Disk write: 2,474.03 MB/s

Mattias Inghe

MSI Cyborg 15: Better at gaming in apply

But when you’re within the sport, you’ll discover a lift for the graphics card, in comparison with less complicated computer systems on paper. It runs at the next body fee and it’s attainable to have extra demanding graphics settings than I can handle in different computer systems for this value. Not significantly better, however marginally.

It ought to have been higher, although, so possibly the cooling within the laptop isn’t environment friendly sufficient. In normal mode, it’s computerized and AI managed, and it’s also possible to select between silent, balanced and excessive efficiency modes, however aside from the silent mode, I don’t see efficiency being affected, simply the fan noise, which might go from a refined whisper to brief loud bumps at very excessive quantity.

That this can be a gaming laptop computer is clear in some ways. A keyboard that glows blue, with arrow keys and WASD clearly marked. An angular design with extensive sides to accommodate massive cooling grilles. And a semi-transparent chassis that reveals elements, screws and plates on the within. It even says “MSI TRUE GAMIN” (sure, with out the ultimate G, or no less than barely legible) in large letters on the underside.

Mattias Inghe

MSI Cyborg 15: Not very heavy

Is it essentially fashionable? No, however no less than it’s a bit totally different. The laptop is a little bit thicker than most traditional 15-inch computer systems with out sport graphics, nevertheless it’s not excessively massive or heavy. You’ll be carrying just below two kilos. If you don’t depend the battery charger.

You get a cushty keyboard with well-sized keys and clear click on response. The backlight is a continuing blue, and I don’t see that there can be RGB management on the colour. It’s often attainable to obtain and set up in any other case in MSI’s MSI Center management software program, however that possibility by no means seems. So it’s blue or nothing. It is simple to regulate the brightness with a operate button, so in case you can tolerate the colour, it really works properly.

The base is plastic, however the floor across the keyboard and mouse is a cool, matte light-weight metallic that’s comfy to relaxation your wrists on. The mouse pad is comfy, however the precision is a bit missing at instances; I’ve to press a bit on the floor for it to detect motion.

Mattias Inghe

MSI Cyborg 15: Fast however pale display

A monitor with 1080p decision and 144Hz body fee makes for an excellent gaming expertise, even when response instances are solely semi-short. Good sufficient for most individuals, however a little bit too sluggish for a discerning e-sports participant. Unfortunately, it’s additionally fairly pale in colour. It doesn’t attain the srgb stage however finally ends up at simply over 60 % of it, which signifies that colours are bland in each movies and video games.

The brightness of round 250 cd/m2 can be not a lot to cheer about and signifies that dynamics and distinction endure, though it may be comparatively darkish in black pixels. The display is definitely finest for on a regular basis duties equivalent to shopping and studying paperwork.

The laptop’s audio system ship somewhat weak sound. With mediocre stress within the bass and misplaced particulars within the treble, they’re acceptable at finest. If the followers are blowing, the audio system might should work onerous to drown it out.

Mattias Inghe

MSI Cyborg 15: Charging is required

Battery life isn’t a lot to cheer about in a pc like this. I get barely two hours of runtime when enjoying demanding video games, and possibly a full working day of browsing and emailing. But simply possibly, with an excessive amount of brightness and a little bit extra load on the processor, the hours shrink.

You cost the battery with a separate ISO connector, after which have a USB-C port for knowledge or monitor, in addition to two USB Type-A ports, all three with USB 3 Gen 1 velocity. You additionally get fastened gigabit networking, in case you don’t wish to join wirelessly. Its Wi-Fi 6 is quick and steady, however I miss the help for 6 GHz and Wi-Fi 6e that lots of its opponents have.

It’s not a single vital factor sufficient to decrease the score, however the MSI Cyborg 15 accumulates an inventory of issues that both make my time with the pc much less gratifying or restrict what it’s good at. The exception is after I play video games, when the facility of the graphics card comes into its personal. But a nicer display would have been welcome even for that.

This evaluate was translated from Swedish to English, and initially appeared on pcforalla.se.