Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 vs MSI Thin GF63
The Verdict
MacBook Air M2 and MSI Thin GF63 serve distinctly different purposes. Apple's offering excels with exceptional portability at 2.7 lbs, stunning 500-nit Liquid Retina display, and remarkable 18-hour battery life powered by efficient M2 silicon, making it ideal for productivity and content creation. MSI counters with a larger 15.6-inch screen, 144Hz refresh rate, dedicated RTX 4050 graphics, and significantly better gaming/3D performance, though battery life drops to 7 hours and build quality feels less premium with its plastic chassis. Storage-wise, MSI includes double the base SSD capacity at 512GB versus 256GB. For professionals prioritizing ultraportability, display quality, and battery endurance, MacBook Air M2 is superior. For students and gamers needing gaming horsepower and expandable storage at half the price, MSI delivers better value despite compromises in portability and construction quality. Choose based on workflow: creative professionals should buy Apple; gamers and budget-conscious students should consider MSI.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 if…
- →Stunning redesign with flat edges and slim 0.44-inch profile
- →MagSafe charging returns — frees up both USB-C ports
- →1080p FaceTime camera is a massive upgrade over the M1 Air
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" M2
Pros
- Stunning redesign with flat edges and slim 0.44-inch profile
- MagSafe charging returns — frees up both USB-C ports
- 1080p FaceTime camera is a massive upgrade over the M1 Air
- Liquid Retina display is brighter and slightly larger at 13.6 inches
- Fanless M2 chip handles 4K video editing silently
Cons
- 256 GB base SSD uses single NAND chip — notably slower writes than M1 Air
- 8 GB base RAM requires a $200 upgrade for serious work
- Still limited to one external display without workarounds
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion option
- Midnight color is a fingerprint magnet
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" M2 | MSI Thin GF63 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 1.86 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum lid, plastic body |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 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 | 52.6 Wh | 52.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 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, 10-core GPU | 8-core (4P + 4E) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | 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" M2 or the MSI Thin GF63.