MSI Alpha 15vsLenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2

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

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.
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.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

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

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

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

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

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

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

Read Full Reviews

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.

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.

Need help choosing?

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

Read MSI Alpha 15 ReviewRead Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 Review

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