If you missed out on MSI’s back-to-school bumper sale, don’t worry – the brand is bringing back some irresistible deals to help you cop your dream gaming laptop, that too on a budget! Whether you’re looking for an entry-level gaming laptop to complement your MSI Claw, or you want an out-and-out best gaming laptop under ₹1 lakh, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best offerings from MSI that provide the perfect balance of performance and form factor.
1. MSI Thin 15: Best for Entry-Level Gaming
Gone are those days when a good gaming laptop would give your wallet a hard time. MSI’s Thin 15 proves that by providing solid specifications at an affordable price point of around ₹60,000. Moreover, it does so without compromising on vital specifications so you get a comprehensive gaming experience right from powerful internals to a smooth display.
Under the hood, the performance is handled by the Intel Core i5-13420H which is a fantastic chip for the price. The CPU is coupled with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3050 graphics with 4GB of GDDR6 memory. As a result, your gaming performance is completely sorted. What also helps the cause is 16GB of RAM so your PC doesn’t feel bottlenecked even when running intensive tasks.
Completing the package is a large 15.6-inch IPS-level display that has a 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of 144Hz. Thanks to this, not only do your games run smoothly but day-to-day activities like browsing and scrolling also feel snappy. Despite packing in capable specifications, the MSI Thin 15 only weighs in at 1.86 Kg owing to its name — making it one of the more lightweight gaming laptops out there. This makes it easy to carry around with you even when traveling.
I would say the MSI Thin 15 is an excellent option for students who want a reliable laptop that they can carry to college every day. It can play games, run intensive software, and even help with content creation since that’s the fad these days.
2. MSI Cyborg 15: Best for Mid-level Gaming
If you’re looking for a slightly more powerful option that doesn’t break the bank, the MSI Cyborg 15 offers just the right amount of upgrades. For starters, the CPU is now a more powerful Intel Core i7-12650H so you get more raw performance. This is beneficial for those who also want to perform more processor-intensive tasks like video editing or even streaming.
Since streaming your gameplay is on the rise, you might want to let viewers from across the globe watch you play games on your laptop. The Cyborg 15 lets you do that thanks to the extra CPU power. As for the graphics, it remains the same as the Thin 15 with the NVIDIA RTX 3050 in the GPU slot. However, there is a significant difference here in the form of 6GB of GDDR6 memory instead of just 4GB on the Thin 15.
The rest of the package is identical with a 15.6-inch FHD 144Hz display and a relatively lightweight build weighing in at just under 2 Kg. Interestingly, the MSI Cyborg 15 — to aptly suit its moniker — has a semi-transparent design with some attractive elements in the chassis that show off internals. Couple this with the typical RGB lighting on a gaming laptop and you’re up for a visual treat!
I believe the Cyborg 15 is for those who want to experiment with recording gameplay, streaming it, or dip their toes in the world of content creation where software like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects are essential.
A More Compact Option: MSI Cyborg 14
For those of you who feel a 15-inch laptop is too big and cannot be carried around easily, you can also opt for the Cyborg 14 with a smaller form factor. Owing to its compactness, it’s easier to travel with the Cyborg 14 so if you’re looking for a machine that can play games and be a productivity powerhouse on the go, this is your best bet.
Intel’s Core i7-13620H handles performance duties with the NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU taking care of graphics. The rest of the specs remain the same as the bigger sibling so despite the smaller form factor, there are no compromises.
3. MSI Katana A15 AI: Best for Ardent Gamers
With the use of AI constantly on the rise, the MSI Katana A15 AI is the perfect companion that learns your usage patterns and optimizes the performance and endurance of your laptop. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, the Katana A15 AI is one of the few laptops that has a CPU with a dedicated AI engine and NPU integrated inside it.
As a result, the laptop is able to deliver seamless AI features like adjusting performance modes based on what app you run, keeping you in the frame when you move around during a video call, and optimizing power management to ensure you get the best battery life in situations where the CPU is not being used to the fullest.
Apart from all the cool AI features, the MSI Katana A15 has its graphics handled by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU with 8GB of GDDR6 memory. In simple terms, this means top-of-the-line gaming performance for the price. The 16GB onboard RAM coupled with the MSI AI engine ensures smooth multitasking by allocating memory to required apps in a smart manner.
A 15.6-inch Full HD display with a fast refresh rate of 144Hz completes the package. Needless to say, the laptop runs on Windows 11 just like all the other options on this list. For under a lakh, the MSI Katana A15 ticks all the right boxes making it just the perfect mid-level to premium gaming PC you can buy without breaching the six-figure mark.
Additional Offers
With a ton of options in MSI’s monsoon sale, there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s your first gaming laptop or you’re a Global Elite at CS: GO, the brand has you covered. To make the deal sweeter, MSI is offering some incredible deals when you buy the brand’s laptops at a Croma outlet near you.
As you can see from the table above, you can get a gaming headset or mouse, depending on the variant you purchase. Apart from that, the brand is also throwing in a Microsoft Office bundle which is certainly beneficial.