HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 vs MSI Thin GF63
The Verdict
HP's Chromebook Plus x360 targets productivity-focused users with its lightweight 3.35 lb aluminum chassis, brilliant 300-nit 14-inch touchscreen, and impressive 12-hour battery life. MSI's Thin GF63 caters to gamers and power users with a faster 12th Gen Core i5-12450H, dedicated RTX 4050 GPU, 144Hz display, and double the storage at 512GB. Performance differences are substantial: the MSI handles demanding applications, gaming, and video editing far better, while the HP excels at web browsing, office work, and portability. Battery endurance favors HP by 5 hours. Port selection goes to MSI with Ethernet and more USB-A ports. At $449 versus $699, the HP delivers exceptional value for students and casual users; the MSI justifies its premium for serious computing tasks. Choose HP for ultraportability and everyday use, MSI for gaming and professional workloads.
Who Should Buy
Buy the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 if…
- →Google's Chromebook Plus standard guarantees AI features and performance minimums
- →360-degree hinge for laptop, tent, and tablet modes
- →12-hour battery life handles a full school or work 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
HP Chromebook Plus x360 14
Pros
- Google's Chromebook Plus standard guarantees AI features and performance minimums
- 360-degree hinge for laptop, tent, and tablet modes
- 12-hour battery life handles a full school or work day
- Aluminum build feels premium for a Chromebook
- ChromeOS is fast, secure, and auto-updating
Cons
- 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage is not expandable
- ChromeOS can't run traditional Windows apps
- No HDMI port — USB-C to HDMI adapter needed
- 60Hz FHD+ display is basic compared to similarly-priced Windows laptops
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 | HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 | MSI Thin GF63 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | ChromeOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.35 lbs (1.52 kg) | 1.86 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum lid, plastic body |
| Dimensions | 12.73 x 8.86 x 0.7 inches | 359 x 254 x 21.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-A ports | 1 | 3 |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Ethernet | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 12 hours | Up to 7 hours |
| Capacity | 56 Wh | 52.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | IPS touchscreen | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB UFS | 512 GB PCIe Gen 3 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5 | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Cores | 8 cores (8E) | 8-core (4P + 4E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i3-N305 | 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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