MSI GL62 Gaming Laptop Review (Is It Good For Gaming On A Budget?)

Pros & Cons Of The MSI GL62 Gaming Laptop 

Is the MSI GL62 gaming laptop up to your needs and standards? Here's the first glance at our review: 

Unique Features Of The MSI GL62 Gaming Laptop 

MSI is a Taiwanese multinational tech company that manufactures, develops, and creates computer hardware, motherboards, GPUs, laptops, and gaming systems. It was founded in 1986 and slowly built its reputation as a big brand name in the industry.  

Since it was established, it has produced many innovative devices, using only the latest cutting-edge technologies. One of these is the MSI GL62 gaming laptop, and it is packed with features that many gamers need. 

Here's what you can expect from this gaming device:  

7th-generation Intel Core i7 Processors 

The Intel Core i7-7500U is the fastest dual-core processor in the 7th Generation Intel Core series or the Kaby Lake series.

Because of its speed, it can run many popular gaming titles, as well as better support streaming 4K and HDR content. 

Compared to the 6th Gen i7-6500U, this CPU offers a higher clock speed of 2.7 GHz and 3.5 GHz in normal and TurboBoost modes, an upgrade from 2.5 and 3.1 GHz. The increase of clock speed allows you to run resource-intensive tasks faster and smoother, such as gaming, photo, and video editing.  

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti Graphics 

With the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti graphics card in your MSI GL62 laptop, you can enjoy almost every game title you like. This GPU is fast and powerful, allowing this low-cost laptop to become an actual gaming rig. It is also powered by NVIDIA Pascal™, which is the most advanced gaming GPU architecture NVIDIA has created. Lastly, it is loaded with NVIDIA Game Ready technologies, so you experience the latest games in their full glory.  

94% NTSC Color Range 

Cooler Boost 4 

Powerful components generate more heat, and overheating can limit your computer's performance, primarily when gaming. Thankfully, the MSI GL62 laptop features a Cooler Boost technology and up to 6 to 7 heat pipes, ensuring that your gaming laptop has proper ventilation. This prevents throttle and allows you to maintain this high-performing system to maximize your gaming experience.  

Nahimic 2 Audio Enhancement 

Apart from better graphics, your overall gaming experience can improve with a great immersive sound system. The MSI GL62 gaming laptop uses the 3D sound enhancement of the virtual 7.1 surround sound. This technology also reduces external noise so you can enjoy your gaming, especially at full volumes.  

Thin & Light Chassis   

This 15.6-inch laptop has a compact build that's slightly more than an inch thin. It has a metal-covered lid, but the rest of the device is plastic, making it portable, so you can enjoy gaming wherever you are. Even though it's packed with powerful specs, it still weighs lighter than most 15.6-inch laptops.  

Steelseries Red Backlight With Anti-Ghost Key 

The MSI GL62 laptop is designed with gamers in mind. This device has a keyboard with pure red backlighting and is ergonomically designed with 1.9mm key travel, allowing better responsive and tactile feedback. It also supports anti-ghosting for up to 45 keys and has a Mechanical-level Shielding solution, making its keyboard the most solid ever. So even if you press the same keys over and over again, you won't see it wear out faster than other keys.  

MSI GL62 Gaming Laptop Reviewed 

Many gaming laptops are available, and finding the best one that fits your budget can be challenging. Of course, if you have a limited budget, your choices are more limited, but that doesn't mean that you can find the right one for you easily. To lighten your load, below is our MSI GL62 gaming laptop, so you'll know if it's the right computer for you.  

Design 

Many people can easily distinguish a gaming laptop from a distance, and MSI GL62 gives off this same look. While the design is not as distinct as other gaming devices, its color scheme, badge logo on the lid, and some of the laptop's sides, give off the gaming vibe. But don't worry, unlike many gaming laptops, it doesn't have an outrageous vent that can throw off those who find gaming laptop design repulsive.  

So, if you bring the MSI GL62 in public, you don't have to be self-conscious of its obnoxious design. It still looks a little bit sleek and sophisticated. When it comes to size, this 15.6-inch laptop isn't light or small enough to be considered compact, but it still is portable, weighing only 2.3 kg with a thickness of 29mm. While it works best as a home computer, you can still bring it everywhere you go.  

Display/Screen 

This 15.6-inch gaming laptop features a 1080p display, but it doesn't have an IPS screen, unlike many mid-range laptops. However, it doesn't use a TN screen either. Instead, according to MSI, the display has a TN-based screen, a tweaked architecture that makes it look better than other TN displays.  

When it comes to colors, you'll be surprised that it is vivid and can display deeper, richer tones than higher-end mid-range laptops. However, the screen isn't bright enough to be played in dimmed lighting. It also features a matt finish, which can contribute to the dimness of the display. But overall, for the price range, it is something that you can look past.  

Performance Features For Gaming 

To understand how a gaming laptop performs, you must look at its four components: CPU, storage, GPU, and RAM. Below is our review of how each part performs:  

Keyboard & Touchpad 

Connectivity 

This gaming laptop features a Mini-DisplayPort and an HDMI port, allowing you to have multi-monitor setups for better gaming. It also has an Ethernet port, a headset jack, a microphone jack, and three USB 3.0 ports with the graphics ports on the left side of the laptop. It also has an optical drive to install games through CDs, a Media Card Reader, and a Type-C port. For wireless connections, it has both Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi. 

Battery Life & Energy Consumption 

Unfortunately, most gaming laptops don't have the best battery life. The MSI GL62 is no exception. If you run the computer on a high brightness setting with continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi, you'll only get approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes of battery life. But if you're conservative with your usage, you can expect it to run for at least 5 hours.  

Audio 

The MSI GL62 can be used without headphones, but you wouldn't get the audio experience you'd want. Even though it features Nahimic 2 software, allowing you to enhance sounds through its various settings, the internal speakers aren't powerful enough to keep your gaming experience at its best.  

Accessories 

When it comes to accessories, there are plenty of devices you can add to this laptop that will level up your gaming. For example, since it features two display ports--Mini-DisplayPort and an HDMI port--you can create a multi-monitor setup to maximize your gaming experience. At the same time, you can use a headset instead of the internal speakers for a more immersive experience.  

Maintenance & Warranty 

When it comes to maintaining a gaming laptop, you need to ensure that there is no dust and dirt trapped on its fans. The fans are critical to ensure it doesn't overheat since overheating can be detrimental to your system. That's why you should regularly clean it manually or use air dusters to keep the vent clean. For warranties, every MSI laptop comes with a one-year warranty, including global and one-time accidental warranties.  

Price  

For less than a thousand dollars, you can get this entry-level gaming laptop that comes with great specs. For its price, you will be surprised by its powerful performance. But, of course, its price also depends on the store.  

Which type of person is the MSI GL62 best suited for? 

If you're a new gamer who doesn't mind playing on low settings, then this is an ideal laptop for you. It is also perfect for work and students as the specs are powerful enough to ensure that the system will still run even if you're running multiple apps and games in the background.  

Which type of user is it not suitable for? 

Unfortunately for heavy gamers, the MSI GL62 isn't the best laptop for you. While the specs are okay for gaming, it isn't powerful enough to allow you to run your favorite title on high settings, hampering your overall gaming experience. 

Comparing The GL62 With Alternative Gaming Laptops  

MSI GL62 Vs. GE62 

MSI manufactures gaming laptops, but the GE62 features a touchscreen display and better RAM than the GL62. They both have a 15.6-inch display and have an Intel Core i7. Performance-wise the GE62 wins, thanks to its higher internal memory.  

MSI GL62 Vs. Acer Predator Helios 300 

When it comes to performance, the MSI GL62 has a better-performing processor and more memory. However, the Acer Predator Helios 300 has a faster GPU. It is also slimmer and smaller in size. But the GL62 is cheaper than the Helios 300.  

MSI GL62 Vs. Razer Blade Stealth 13 

If you're looking for better gaming performance, the MSI GL62 features a faster processor and a better GPU. But the Razer Blade Stealth 13 is lighter, thinner, and more compact, featuring a 13.3-inch screen. It is also cheaper than GL62.  

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Is the MSI GL62 touchscreen? 

No. This MSI laptop does not have a touchscreen.  

When was the release date of the MSI GL62 laptop? 

This gaming laptop was released on 30 September 2016.  

What games can MSI GL62 run? 

The GL62 is powerful enough for many popular gaming titles. However, some of them can only be played in low settings.  

Does MSI GL62 overheat when gaming? 

Like many gaming laptops, the MSI GL62 laptop overheats when continuously used. That's why you need to have an external cooling system in place to ensure it won't overheat frequently.  

Conclusion

With MSI GL62, finding an affordable gaming laptop with good specs wouldn't be so hard anymore. With all of its features, entry-level gamers will enjoy an excellent gaming device that won't break the bank.