MSI Alpha 15vsLenovo ThinkPad E14 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 ThinkPad E14 Gen 2
ThinkPad E14 Gen 2

Quick Stats

The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 delivers solid and impressive performance, even with a more affordable Core i3 option.
The ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 boasts a sturdy construction with a rigid chassis, providing excellent build quality overall.
The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2's display is sufficient for business use, yet lacks vibrant colors and nuanced visuals.
The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 boasts a Thunderbolt 4 port and legendary Track Point features.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
MSI Alpha 15
#632
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2
Winner
#630
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
MSI Alpha 15
#225
Winner
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2
#356
Display
MSI Alpha 15
#758
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2
#734
Winner
Performance
MSI Alpha 15
#362
Winner
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2
#535
Build
MSI Alpha 15
#789
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2
#695
Winner
Features
MSI Alpha 15
#803
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2
#527
Winner

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

Specifications Comparison
Specification
MSI MSI Alpha 15
Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2
up to 64GB
up to 40GB
up to 2000GB SSD
up to 4000GB SSD
AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
AMD Radeon RX 6600M
Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU)
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 ThinkPad E14 Gen 2

Strengths

The laptop's visual design is rarely changed, but the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 offers a Thunderbolt 4 port and upgraded internals in the same rigid chassis.
The machine is surprisingly light, weighing around 1.6 kilos and having a thickness of under 19 millimeters.
The keyboard is great, typically found on Thinkpad devices, and this one is no exception.
The laptop offers excellent upgrade options, including one SODIMM slot for memory upgrades and two M2 storage slots.
The 1080p IPS display has wide viewing angles and a good contrast ratio of 1150:1.
The processor can run at 3.6 GHz for more than 15 minutes straight thanks to the cooling solution.

Weaknesses

The laptop's battery life is underwhelming, lasting less than seven hours of web browsing or about five hours of video playback.
The display covers only 50% of the sRGB gamut, resulting in a dull-looking image.
Despite its capable hardware, the top model featuring an Intel Core i7-1165G7 and NVIDIA GeForce MX450 is not available in this specific review unit.
The laptop's battery life could be better compared to other similar devices.
The display doesn't use PWM for brightness adjustment, but it may still cause eye strain for some users.
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 ThinkPad E14 Gen 2

The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 is a refresh of the previous model, boasting a Thunderbolt 4 port and upgraded internals within its rigid aluminum-aluminum chassis. Weighing in at just 1.6 kilos, this laptop offers great keyboard quality and the legendary TrackPoint feature. It also features one SODIMM slot for memory upgrades and two M.2 storage slots, making it an attractive option for those seeking flexibility.

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 ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 Review

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