MSI Bravo 15 review
The MSI MSI Bravo 15 ranks as the #517 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 71. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #119-ranked connectivity among 669 laptops. Consider the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 or Microsoft Surface Pro 7+, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The MSI Bravo 15 is a budget-friendly gaming laptop that delivers impressive performance for its price. With an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, and 16GB of RAM, this laptop can handle modern games at high settings. The 1080p High refresh rate screen provides smooth visuals, although the color gamut could be better. At around $800 CAD or $500-$550 USD, this laptop offers great value for those looking for a budget gaming option. Overall, it's a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and affordable gaming experience.
Build
The build quality of the MSI Bravo 15 is satisfactory, with an all-plastic chassis that doesn't compromise on performance. While it's not a metal unibody, it's sturdy and well-built for its price point. The laptop's design is clean and minimalist, but nothing to write home about. The screen, while good for gaming at 1080p and 144Hz, lacks a large color gamut. However, the display's brightness and color accuracy are decent enough for general use. Overall, the build quality is more than adequate for a laptop in this price range, making it a great option for those seeking value for money. Take a look at MSI Raider GE66 - its improved build sets a new standard.
Display
The display on the MSI Bravo 15 is a mixed bag. The 1080p resolution at a high refresh rate makes for smooth gaming, but the colors are lacking in vibrancy and depth. While it's not terrible, it's not particularly impressive either. The brightness is adequate, but not exceptional. Overall, it's a decent display for its price point, but don't expect it to be a standout feature of this laptop. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option with good gaming performance, the display may be acceptable, but if you have higher expectations, you might want to look elsewhere. If you're after top-notch display, consider MSI Pulse GL66.
Performance
The MSI Bravo 15 delivers impressive performance, particularly when equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor. In gaming tasks, the laptop ran smoothly, maintaining temperatures under 90 degrees Celsius without throttling. The system's cooling solution was effective in keeping the CPU at a comfortable temperature, even during intense usage. The AMD Radeon RX 6500M GPU (disguised as a 4050) handled modern games with ease, allowing for smooth gameplay at high settings. However, it's essential to note that this GPU might struggle with demanding titles or high-resolution graphics. Nevertheless, the MSI Bravo 15 is an excellent option for those seeking a budget-friendly laptop without compromising performance. The laptop's Gen 4 SSD provided respectable speeds, while Wi-Fi connectivity was fast and reliable. Overall, the MSI Bravo 15's performance capabilities make it a solid choice for its price range. It’s worth checking out MSI Vector GP66 HX, delivering remarkable performance.
Battery and Charging
The MSI Bravo 15's battery life is impressive, delivering around 6 hours on idle at 100% brightness. In more demanding scenarios, such as 1080p YouTube playback, it lasts approximately 4.5 hours. The mid-sized battery is complemented by the efficient AMD CPU, ensuring good battery life despite its relatively small capacity. Charging time is not explicitly mentioned, but given its efficiency and moderate usage expectations, this laptop should meet users' power needs without significant compromise.
Connectivity
The MSI Bravo 15 boasts fast Wi-Fi connectivity, with download speeds exceeding 600 Mbps. This is likely due to the laptop's use of newer wireless standards. Additionally, the Gen 4 SSD delivers respectable read and write speeds of 4600 and 3300 MB/s, respectively. Overall, connectivity is a strong suit for this budget-friendly laptop. Get your hands on MSI Raider GE66 if you're looking for better connectivity.
Features
The MSI Bravo 15 features a 1080p High refresh rate screen, decent colors, and bright display, making it suitable for gaming at an affordable price. It also boasts upgradable RAM and storage, effective cooling, and good build quality. A 4050 GPU provides smooth gameplay at 1080p settings. Consider discovering the power of MSI Pulse GL66, featuring the latest advancements in features.
Support and Maintenance
The MSI Bravo 15's support and maintenance are notable strengths. The laptop's cooling solution is effective in keeping the CPU at bay, even during heavy gaming tasks. A BIOS update can unlock hidden performance, ensuring the CPU runs smoothly. Additionally, the SSD provides respectable Gen 4 speeds, while Wi-Fi speeds are fast. Battery life is also satisfactory, offering around 6 hours on idle and 4.5 hours of YouTube playback. Overall, the MSI Bravo 15's support and maintenance make it a reliable option for those seeking a budget-friendly gaming laptop.
Pros
1. This laptop has really nice build quality, with a decent screen that's perfect for gaming at 1080p and high refresh rate.
2. The AMD CPU performs well after a BIOS update, and runs very cool even in heavy gaming tasks.
3. The cooling solution is effective, with no throttling whatsoever on the CPU for temperatures.
4. The laptop has good battery life, with around 6 hours of idle time and 4.5 hours of 1080p YouTube playback.
5. The built-in webcam is actually pretty good, with good colors and saturation.
6. You get upgradeable RAM and storage, which is great value for the price.
Cons
1. The screen doesn't have huge color space, but it's still bright and decent enough for gaming.
2. The fans are not silent, but they're also not annoying either.
3. There's no metal unibody, with an all-plastic chassis that's not the most premium feel.
4. You might need to pay more to get a laptop with a 4060 or better GPU.
5. Some people may expect more compromises at this price point, but they're actually pretty minimal here.
6. The battery life is decent, but not exceptional - you might get around 6 hours of idle time.
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