MSI Cyborg 15 Review: Top Budget Gaming Laptop

Finding a capable gaming laptop without draining your wallet can feel like an impossible quest, but the MSI Cyborg 15 makes a compelling case for itself. It delivers a surprisingly sleek design and an absolutely fantastic keyboard, positioning itself as a solid contender for budget-conscious gamers. However, its performance with demanding modern titles, powered by an Intel i5 and RTX 3050 in our review unit, requires some tempered expectations and a willingness to adjust graphical settings for a smooth experience.

The overall aesthetic of the Cyborg 15 is a pleasant surprise. It avoids the bulky, aggressive styling common in this category, presenting a relatively slender and modern profile. While its weight does limit true portability, the chassis feels well-constructed with a smooth, subtly textured finish. Translucent accents around the lid add a unique visual flair, though it’s a missed opportunity that these aren’t lit by RGB. A notable concern is the display lid, which exhibits a noticeable amount of flex, feeling less robust than the rest of the build.

Connectivity is well-covered for most gamers. You get two USB-A ports, one USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, and a headset jack. The practical layout may divide opinions, as the majority of these ports are clustered on the right-hand side, with none on the rear. This arrangement could prove inconvenient depending on your desk setup.

When it comes to gaming performance, the hardware shows its limitations. In titles like Cyberpunk 2077, frame rates hovered between 30-40fps on average, even with the Ray Tracing: Low preset and DLSS upscaling enabled. Completely disabling ray tracing failed to deliver a significant performance boost, and busy scenes often introduced noticeable slowdown. This clearly isn’t a machine for maxing out the latest AAA games, but it handles less demanding titles and older games with ease.

On a positive note, the system remains commendably cool and isn’t distractingly loud under load. The 15.6-inch 1080p display is another high point, offering sharp, vibrant visuals that handle reflections well, making it enjoyable for both gaming and media consumption.

The keyboard, however, is the star of the show. It’s a full-size layout complete with a number pad, yet the keys never feel cramped. They offer a satisfying amount of travel, striking a perfect balance between a tactile, clicky response and a dampened feel. It’s a joy for both typing and gaming, rivaling the experience of much more expensive laptops. The touchpad, while responsive, is a bit too eager and can be accidentally activated during typing, though it can be quickly disabled with a function key shortcut.

Battery life is a definite weak point. It lasted just over five and a half hours in a video playback test and couldn’t reach a full hour in a demanding gaming battery test. These results place it at the lower end of the spectrum for gaming laptops, so you’ll want to keep the power adapter close.

Priced starting at $999, the MSI Cyborg 15 carves out its niche. You are making a clear trade-off, accepting middling performance in the most demanding games for a low price, an excellent keyboard, and a sharp display. For those wanting more graphical power, competitors like the Acer Nitro V 15 or MSI’s own Katana 15, often featuring an RTX 4050, are worth the extra investment. But if your budget is strict and your expectations are calibrated for 1080p gaming on medium settings, the Cyborg 15 is a respectable and enjoyable budget pick.

(Source: techradar)