Unleash the Power of Ryzen with the MSI Bravo 17 Gaming Laptop!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of the MSI Bravo 17 Gaming Laptop
3. Design and Build Quality
4. Connectivity Options
5. Keyboard and Touchpad
6. Performance of the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU
7. Gaming Performance and Graphics
8. Battery Life
9. Display Quality
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In recent years, AMD has made significant strides in the desktop CPU market, outperforming Intel in many areas. However, when it comes to mobile CPUs, AMD has struggled to gain relevance. That is, until now. With the release of their Ryzen 4000 series mobile CPUs, AMD aims to change the Game. The MSI Bravo 17, equipped with the Ryzen 7 4800H CPU, is one of the first laptops to feature this new processor. In this article, we will dive into the performance, features, and overall value of the MSI Bravo 17 gaming laptop.

Overview of the MSI Bravo 17 Gaming Laptop

The MSI Bravo 17 is the successor to the Alpha 15, featuring the same RX 5500M GPU but now paired with the Ryzen 7 4800H CPU. It comes in both 15-inch and 17-inch versions, with prices ranging from $1000 to $1300. Despite being an affordable gaming laptop, the Bravo 17 maintains a decent amount of metal construction, providing a sturdy build. The laptop weighs around 2.2 kilograms for the 17-inch version, which is relatively light for its size. The underside of the laptop is made of plastic but still feels robust. The brushed metal finish on the top and inside of the laptop, although prone to fingerprints, adds a touch of elegance.

Design and Build Quality

The Bravo 17 impresses with its use of metal construction, especially considering its affordable price. The build quality is sturdy overall, with the 17-inch version weighing a manageable 2.2 kilograms. The laptop features a panel mechanism that lifts the bottom for improved airflow, a trend seen in other laptops like those from Asus. The hinges feel solid, although there is a slight flex in the panel. The keyboard, a highlight of the Bravo 17, offers stability and decent key travel. The touchpad, while not the sharpest, is functional. Opening the laptop is straightforward, with easy access to the fans, battery, memory, and storage. Additionally, the inclusion of a Wi-Fi 6 chip is a welcome addition to a budget-friendly machine.

Connectivity Options

Considering its price point, the Bravo 17 offers satisfactory connectivity options. On the left side, you will find a power connection, HDMI port, and two USB 3 Type-A ports. The left side also houses an Ethernet port, another Type-A port, a Type-C connection, and audio jacks. While Thunderbolt connectivity is absent, the Bravo 17 provides enough ports for most users' needs.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on the Bravo 17 is surprisingly pleasant to work on, offering stable keys and decent travel. Although there is some flex when pressing the back of the chassis, it does not affect typing. The touchpad is a precision model, functional but not extraordinary. While it could be larger, it gets the job done and is suitable for regular use. Gamers will likely opt for an external mouse for gaming purposes.

Performance of the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU

The highlight of the Bravo 17 is undoubtedly the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU. This mobile CPU outperforms Intel's mainstream mobile CPUs from the past two years. It even holds its own against desktop CPUs like the Ryzen 7 2700X. The Ryzen 7 4800H offers both single and multi-core performance that competes with much higher-priced laptops. The Bravo 17's cooling system effectively dissipates heat, even in a budget chassis, allowing the CPU to maintain high clock speeds. This makes the Bravo 17 an excellent choice for those who require a powerful CPU for tasks like content creation or software development.

Gaming Performance and Graphics

Equipped with an RX 5500M GPU, the Bravo 17 delivers solid gaming performance, especially considering its affordable price. In CPU-heavy games like Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the Bravo 17 sees significant improvements compared to its predecessor. Frame rates are smoother, reaching 69 FPS on average in Odyssey, and maintaining 120 FPS or more in lighter games like CS:GO or League of Legends. It's worth noting that the laptop can get loud during intensive gaming Sessions, but remains quiet under lighter loads. The speakers offer ample volume and decent sound quality for a laptop in this price range.

Battery Life

The Bravo 17's battery life is average at best. Even with light use, such as watching Netflix, the laptop can only achieve around 3 hours of battery life. This is sufficient for gaming at home, but not ideal for on-the-go usage. Plugging in the laptop is necessary for optimal performance and extended gaming sessions, as the battery drains rapidly under heavy load.

Display Quality

The Bravo 17 features a Full HD 120Hz display, which offers smooth visuals for gaming. While the difference between a 120Hz and 144Hz panel may not be noticeable to the average user, the Bravo 17's display quality falls short compared to its predecessor, the Alpha 15. The color gamut is only 60% sRGB, resulting in poor color accuracy. Additionally, the maximum brightness of 214 nits is low and may disappoint users who frequently use their laptops in bright environments. However, it is important to note that the display on the reviewed unit is a pre-evaluation unit and may not be final. Retail units from MSI typically feature high-quality panels, so this issue may be resolved in the final units.

Conclusion

Overall, the MSI Bravo 17 with the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU is a game changer in the mobile market. The CPU's performance is exceptional, outperforming its Intel counterparts in both single and multi-threaded tasks. The Bravo 17 itself is a solid gaming laptop, offering a sturdy build, satisfactory connectivity options, and a decent keyboard. The gaming performance is impressive, with significant improvements compared to its predecessor. However, the display quality and battery life fall short. With the promised improvements in the retail units, the Bravo 17 has the potential to be an ideal budget gaming laptop. The value it offers at its price point makes it a compelling option for gamers and power users alike.

Highlights

1. The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU offers exceptional performance, outperforming Intel's mobile CPUs.
2. The Bravo 17 is an affordable gaming laptop that maintains a sturdy build quality.
3. The keyboard is pleasant to work on, while the touchpad is functional.
4. Gaming performance is impressive, with significant improvements compared to its predecessor.
5. The display quality and battery life fall short, but may be improved in the final retail units.

FAQ

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU compare to Intel's mobile CPUs?

A: The Ryzen 7 4800H CPU outperforms Intel's mainstream mobile CPUs from the past two years, offering both single and multi-core performance that competes with higher-priced laptops.

Q: Does the Bravo 17 have a good keyboard and touchpad?

A: The Bravo 17 features a pleasant keyboard with stable keys and decent travel. The touchpad is functional, but not exceptional.

Q: What is the gaming performance of the Bravo 17?

A: Equipped with an RX 5500M GPU, the Bravo 17 delivers solid gaming performance, with significant improvements compared to its predecessor. Frame rates are smooth in both CPU-heavy and lighter games.

Q: How is the battery life of the Bravo 17?

A: The Bravo 17's battery life is average, providing around 3 hours of light use. For optimal performance and extended gaming sessions, it is recommended to plug in the laptop.

Q: What is the display quality of the Bravo 17?

A: The Bravo 17 features a Full HD 120Hz display. While the smoothness is satisfactory, the color gamut and maximum brightness of the display are subpar. However, this may be improved in the final retail units.