Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 vs MSI Thin GF63
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Air M4 delivers exceptional portability and efficiency with its ultra-thin 0.45-inch design, weighing just 3.3 lbs, paired with the M4 chip offering outstanding single-core performance for everyday tasks. MSI's Thin GF63 targets gamers with an RTX 4050 GPU and 144Hz display, though it's heavier at 4.1 lbs and uses older 12th-gen Intel architecture. Battery life heavily favors Apple at 18 hours versus 7 hours on the MSI. For productivity and content creation, the MacBook Air excels with its superior Liquid Retina display and all-day battery. However, the MSI offers better gaming performance and traditional ports including Ethernet and three USB-A connections. At $1299, the MacBook Air commands a premium but justifies it with M4 efficiency and build quality. The MSI at $699 appeals to budget-conscious gamers needing discrete graphics. Choose the MacBook Air for professional work and portability; select the MSI if gaming and expandable storage are priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 if…
- →M4 chip delivers massive performance leap over M3 with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- →16 GB RAM standard — no more $200 upgrade from 8 GB
- →18-hour battery life is genuinely all-day
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 15" M4
Pros
- M4 chip delivers massive performance leap over M3 with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- 16 GB RAM standard — no more $200 upgrade from 8 GB
- 18-hour battery life is genuinely all-day
- Fanless design is completely silent under all workloads
- Gorgeous 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display for content consumption
Cons
- Still limited to 60Hz display — no ProMotion
- Only two Thunderbolt ports — both on the left side
- Base 256 GB storage is tight for a $1,299 laptop
- No HDMI or SD card slot — dongles still required
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 15" M4 | MSI Thin GF63 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.51 kg) | 1.86 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum lid, plastic body |
| Dimensions | 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 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 | 66.5 Wh | 52.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 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 | 16 GB | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Cores | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 8-core (4P + 4E) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | 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 15" M4 or the MSI Thin GF63.