Cheap Gaming Laptop

3.5/5   Better Than Average

The MSI Cyborg 15 Inch FHD Gaming Laptop: A Budget Powerhouse For Gamers

Cheap Gaming Laptop

Pros

  • Stylish Back-lit Blue Keyboard: Perfect for late-night gaming or typing sessions.
  • Comes with HDMI and USB 3.2 Gen Type-C, supporting up to three displays simultaneously.
  • Cooler Boost Feature: Extends component lifespan and keeps the system cool, even under high-performance use.

Cons

  • Limited Graphic Experience: The FHD 1080P IPS screen may disappoint users who prioritize high-quality visuals.
  • Peripheral Limitations: Only two USB-A ports available, necessitating a USB hub for greater connectivity.

Specifications

  • Brand: MSI
  • Model Name: Cyborg 15 A12VF-025UK
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
  • Hard Disk Size: 512 GB
  • CPU Model: Intel Core i7
  • RAM Memory Installed Size: 16 GB
  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home
  • Graphics Co-Processor: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060

Our Review

High-Octane Gaming and Beyond

When it comes to buying a cheap gaming laptop on a budget, you need to think about compromises, because, lets face it, you are not going to find 4090 style visuals at this price point. But this doesn’t mean you are necessarily excluded from playing the latest AAA games.

The MSI Cyborg 15 inch FHD gaming laptop offers an exemplary blend of speed, graphics, and reliability. Powering the system is Intel’s latest 12th Gen Core i7-12650H processor, a chip designed to handle multitasking and high-performance computing with ease. This CPU is nicely complemented by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card. Whether you’re battling it out in Valorant, building your dream world in Fortnite, or scoring goals in FIFA 23, the laptop delivers consistently high frame rates, often exceeding the 80 FPS mark even on mid-to-high settings. But it’s not just a gaming machine; this laptop can effortlessly tackle light video and photo editing tasks. This makes it an ideal choice for budding content creators who need a powerful, all-around machine.

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More Than Just Eye Candy

Let’s face it, gamers love aesthetics almost as much as they love performance, and this laptop delivers both. The backlit blue keyboard doesn’t just add flair to your gaming setup; it provides functional advantages as well. The blue illumination minimizes eye strain in low-light conditions, ensuring that late-night gaming or work sessions are more comfortable. This attention to detail extends beyond the backlit keys, as the translucent black body adds a touch of sophisticated style to the laptop.

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Expansive Visual Real Estate

While the 15.6-inch screen may provide enough display real estate for most tasks, the MSI Cyborg 15 takes it a step further with its multi-display support. Thanks to the built-in HDMI and USB 3.2 Gen Type-C ports, you can easily extend your visual workspace to include up to three external displays. Imagine having your game on one screen, your Discord chat on another, and a walkthrough or live stream on the third. This multi-display capability opens up a multitude of multitasking possibilities, which is a boon for both professional gamers and everyday users who often juggle between tasks.

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A Cooler Way to Game

Many laptops suffer from overheating issues, especially during extended periods of gaming or high-performance usage. The MSI Cyborg 15 circumvents this common problem with its proprietary Cooler Boost feature, accessible through the MSI Centre app. By optimizing airflow and cooling mechanisms, Cooler Boost ensures that the laptop’s internal components remain cool, thereby extending their lifespan. This feature is particularly useful for users who push their systems to the limit, be it in gaming or other resource-intensive activities.

Cheap Gaming Laptop

It’s Not Perfect, But Will it Do?

While the MSI Cyborg 15 excels in many areas, it’s not without its shortcomings. The FHD 1080P IPS screen is perfectly adequate for most users, but it might disappoint those who crave ultra-high-definition visuals. This may not be a deal-breaker for the average user, but for those who prioritize stunning graphics and vibrant scenery, it could be a letdown. Additionally, the laptop’s peripheral connectivity is somewhat limited with just two USB-A ports. You may need to invest in a USB hub if you have multiple devices to connect, which adds to the overall cost and clutter, also don’t overlook our detailed review on the best gaming laptops.

Our Product Score

Although the MSI Cyborg 15 delivers reasonable performance, a sleek design, and useful additional features like Cooler Boost, it loses a point for its limited visual and connectivity options.

3.5/5   Better Than Average

In Summary

The MSI Cyborg 15 is a budget, medium-performance, stylish laptop well-suited for gaming and light editing tasks. Its Cooler Boost feature and multi-display support give it an edge over competitors, although it falls short in the realm of ultra-high-definition visuals and expansive peripheral connectivity. If you're looking for a gaming laptop with more robust graphics and a bigger screen, you might want to consider the Alienware M15 R5 as an alternative.

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