Apple MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro vs MSI Thin GF63
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 14 M2 Pro and MSI Thin GF63 serve fundamentally different audiences at vastly different price points. Apple's offering delivers exceptional display quality with 3024x1964 Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED at 1600 nits, paired with the M2 Pro's 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU for effortless creative workflows. Battery life reaches an impressive 17 hours, and build quality feels premium throughout. Conversely, MSI's Thin GF63 targets budget-conscious gamers with an RTX 4050 GPU, 144Hz refresh rate, and 12th-gen Intel processing at under $700. Battery performance lags significantly at 7 hours, and the plastic chassis feels less refined. For professionals needing portability and performance, the MacBook Pro justifies its premium. For students and casual gamers seeking gaming capability on a tight budget, the MSI delivers reasonable value despite performance compromises.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro if…
- →Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- →ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling
- →M2 Pro delivers outstanding multi-core performance for creative pros
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 Pro 14" M2 Pro
Pros
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling
- M2 Pro delivers outstanding multi-core performance for creative pros
- Excellent port selection — HDMI, SD card, MagSafe, and 3 Thunderbolt
- 17-hour battery life despite the high-performance chip
Cons
- Starting price of $1,999 is steep
- 16 GB base RAM should be 32 GB at this price point
- 3.5 lbs is heavier than the M2 Air or 13-inch Pro
- Notch in the display can be distracting
- No Face ID — still relies on Touch ID
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 Pro 14" M2 Pro | MSI Thin GF63 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) | 1.86 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum lid, plastic body |
| Dimensions | 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches | 359 x 254 x 21.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-C ports | 3 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 3 |
| Ethernet | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 17 hours | Up to 7 hours |
| Capacity | 70 Wh | 52.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR Mini-LED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB (configurable to 8 TB) | 512 GB PCIe Gen 3 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU | 8-core (4P + 4E) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 Pro | 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.
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