Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 vs MSI Thin GF63
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Air M1 excels as a ultraportable workhorse with exceptional battery life reaching 18 hours, a brilliant 2560x1600 Retina display, and the efficient M1 chip handling productivity tasks seamlessly. MSI's Thin GF63 targets gaming and performance-demanding workflows with its RTX 4050 GPU, 144Hz 1920x1080 display, and 12th Gen Intel processor, though its 7-hour battery life proves limiting for mobility. Storage capacity favors MSI at 512GB versus Apple's 256GB, and MSI offers greater port flexibility with traditional USB-A connections. However, Apple's premium build quality, superior display clarity, and remarkable efficiency make it the stronger choice for professionals prioritizing portability and all-day productivity. MSI suits budget-conscious gamers and creators accepting compromised battery life.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 if…
- →M1 chip was a generational leap — outperforms most Intel laptops
- →Completely fanless and silent under all workloads
- →18-hour battery life from a 49.9 Wh cell is remarkable efficiency
Buy the MSI Thin GF63 if…
- →Affordable entry to RTX 40-series gaming at $699
- →144Hz display for smooth gameplay in esports titles
- →Lightweight at 1.86 kg for a 15.6-inch gaming laptop
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M1
Pros
- M1 chip was a generational leap — outperforms most Intel laptops
- Completely fanless and silent under all workloads
- 18-hour battery life from a 49.9 Wh cell is remarkable efficiency
- Ultra-lightweight at 2.8 lbs for all-day portability
- Excellent value — often found discounted well below $999
Cons
- Only supports one external display natively
- 8 GB base RAM is tight for demanding multitasking
- Webcam is only 720p — poor by modern standards
- Only two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports — no MagSafe
- Older wedge design lacks the modern flat aesthetic of M2 Air
MSI Thin GF63
Pros
- Affordable entry to RTX 40-series gaming at $699
- 144Hz display for smooth gameplay in esports titles
- Lightweight at 1.86 kg for a 15.6-inch gaming laptop
- Good port selection including Ethernet and three USB-A ports
- Expandable storage with an extra M.2 slot
Cons
- 250-nit display brightness is very dim — poor outdoor visibility
- Only 8 GB RAM — needs immediate upgrade for modern gaming
- Build quality is plastic-heavy and feels budget
- Fan noise is significant during gaming sessions
- Battery life is poor at around 4-5 hours real-world use
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 | MSI Thin GF63 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Big Sur | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.8 lbs (1.29 kg) | 1.86 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum lid, plastic body |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches | 359 x 254 x 21.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 3 |
| Ethernet | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 7 hours |
| Capacity | 49.9 Wh | 52.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.3 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 400 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 512 GB PCIe Gen 3 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU | 8-core (4P + 4E) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H |
| Gpu | — | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 (6 GB) |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all MSI products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 or the MSI Thin GF63.