Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2vsMSI Alpha 15

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2
ThinkBook 14 Gen 2

Quick Stats

The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 delivers impressive performance with added RAM, suitable for demanding applications.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 boasts a sturdy and premium build quality, rivaling its ThinkPad siblings closely.
The display is the highlight of the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2, offering a crisp and vibrant touchscreen experience.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 features a Core i5 processor and up to 16GB of RAM optimally.
MSI
MSI Alpha 15
Alpha 15

Quick Stats

The MSI Alpha 15 delivers decent performance, but gaming may not be worth its premium price tag overall.
The overall design of the MSI Alpha 15 is sleek and modern, albeit a bit pricey.
The most notable display feature is the optional 144Hz screen for gamers, a welcome addition with benefits.
The MSI Alpha 15 offers decent gaming performance and features a Radeon RX 5500M GPU prominently.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2
Winner
#631
MSI Alpha 15
#632
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2
#544
MSI Alpha 15
#225
Winner
Display
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2
#735
Winner
MSI Alpha 15
#758
Performance
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2
#750
MSI Alpha 15
#362
Winner
Build
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2
#314
Winner
MSI Alpha 15
#789
Features
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2
#101
Winner
MSI Alpha 15
#803

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Lenovo Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2
MSI MSI Alpha 15
up to 40GB
up to 64GB
up to 1000GB SSD + up to 2000GB HDD
up to 2000GB SSD
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 (AMD)
AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 (R4000/5000, 15W)
AMD Radeon RX 6600M
N/A
2x 2280 M.2 NVMe slots See photo

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2

Strengths

The laptop is very solid performer from Lenovo
It's nicely constructed, minimal in many ways but performs well
When you're playing games, it's a good performer and not all that loud
You can easily keep the vents on the bottom clear for good airflow
Linux performance is good, everything worked just fine with Ubuntu 20.10
It's a very solid choice for small businesses that don't need all the bells and whistles

Weaknesses

No specific cons listed for this device

MSI Alpha 15

Strengths

The RX 5500M is offering something between the NVIDIA GTX 1650 and 1660 Ti, which is needed to fill that gap.
Msi have toned down the black and red gamer color scheme, making it look more refined.
It's great that there's Freesync available for a lower price compared to G-Sync in NVIDIA laptops.
Battery life was okay considering the smaller battery size.
The 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD performed well enough and the SD card slot is included (although not very fast).
Msi offering Borderlands 3 or Ghost Recon Breakpoint as free games with purchase, which could offset some of the price.

Weaknesses

No specific cons listed for this device

Read Full Reviews

Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2

The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 is a solid performer that bridges the gap between consumer-grade IdeaPads and high-end business ThinkPads. This laptop's understated design belies its ability to deliver decent performance, making it an attractive option for small businesses or individuals seeking a reliable machine without the hefty price tag. With a focus on simplicity and value, the ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 is worth considering, especially with a crucial upgrade in mind: populating the RAM slot to unlock its full potential.

MSI Alpha 15

The MSI Alpha 15 is a gaming laptop that promises to bridge the gap between budget-friendly options and high-performance models. With its AMD Radeon RX 5500M graphics card, this device aims to deliver smooth visuals without breaking the bank. However, with prices around $1,100 in the US, the question remains: does it offer enough value for the cost? In this review, we'll delve into the Alpha 15's performance, features, and potential drawbacks to help you decide if it's worth considering for your gaming needs.

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 ReviewRead MSI Alpha 15 Review

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