Lenovo or MSI: which laptop is better?
The two brands side by side with the Nov 6, 2026 check.
In November 2026, Lenovo and MSI tie on rating for the price in laptops: average rating 6.0 and 7.3, median price of $1,214 and $2,106. Each one’s best models today: Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 15.6″ Core i7-12700H ($1,100) and MSI Katana A15 15.6″ Ryzen 9 8945HS RTX 4070 ($2,536).
See side by sideLenovo
0 categories won
6.4 median rating
26 models, from $380 to $2,099
MSI
4 categories won
7.6 median rating
24 models, from $1,200 to $2,962
MSI wins in 4 of 4 categories.
Performance
MSI winsThe best from Lenovo in performance
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 16″ Core Ultra 7 155U
Performance 8.3 score 7.0
$1,550
Memory and storage
MSI winsThe best from Lenovo in memory and storage
Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 15.6″ Core i7-12700H
Memory and storage 9.3 score 6.9
$1,100
The best from MSI in memory and storage
MSI Modern 15 H 15.6″ Core 9 270H
Memory and storage 10.0 score 8.0
$3,009
Screen
MSI wins
Ports and how current it is
MSI winsThe best from Lenovo in ports and how current it is
Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 14″ Core Ultra 5 225U
Ports and how current it is 7.5 score 6.3
$1,299
The best from MSI in ports and how current it is
MSI Cyborg A15 15.6″ Ryzen 7 260 RTX 5050
Ports and how current it is 7.5 score 7.8
$1,799
Lenovo and MSI side by side
| Item | Lenovo | MSI |
|---|---|---|
| Models in today’s catalog | 26 | 24 |
| Average rating | 6.0 | 7.3 |
| Median price | $1,214 | $2,106 |
| Below the normal price today | 0 | 0 |
| Where it stands out most | from $900 to $1,500 | no standout range |
| Best model | Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 15.6″ Core i7-12700H, $1,100 | MSI Katana A15 15.6″ Ryzen 9 8945HS RTX 4070, $2,536 |
| Cheapest | Lenovo Grade A T490s 14″ Core i5-8350U, $366 | MSI Thin A15 15.6″ Ryzen 5 7535HS RTX 3050, $1,199 |
In which price range each one wins
| Price range | Lenovo | MSI | Who wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to $500 | 6 | 0 | only Lenovo has a model |
| from $500 to $900 | 5 | 0 | only Lenovo has a model |
| from $900 to $1,500 | 6 | 6 | Lenovo |
| from $1,500 to $2,100 | 7 | 6 | tie |
| over $2,100 | 2 | 12 | tie |
Who each one is for
Choose Lenovo to pay less (median price of $1,214 against $2,106); have more options (26 against 24); buy from $900 to $1,500; look at up to $500 or from $500 to $900, where only it has a model. Best model: Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 15.6″ Core i7-12700H, at $1,100.
Choose MSI to have the highest average rating (7.3 against 6.0). Best model: MSI Katana A15 15.6″ Ryzen 9 8945HS RTX 4070, at $2,536.
Other brand comparisons
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See all Lenovo laptops
Price and rating of each of the brand’s models, from today’s check.
Frequently asked questions
Lenovo or MSI: which laptop is better?
In November 2026, Lenovo and MSI tie on rating for the price in laptops: average rating 6.0 and 7.3, median price of $1,214 and $2,106. Each one’s best models today: Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 15.6″ Core i7-12700H ($1,100) and MSI Katana A15 15.6″ Ryzen 9 8945HS RTX 4070 ($2,536).
Which is cheaper, Lenovo or MSI?
By median price, Lenovo: $1,214 against $2,106. Its cheapest model today is Lenovo Grade A T490s 14″ Core i5-8350U, at $366.
Which has more models, Lenovo or MSI?
Lenovo has 26 models and MSI has 24 models in the Nov 6, 2026 check.
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Where the numbers come from
Brands with 3 or more models with a price and a rating in the day’s check are included. Average rating and median price use all of the brand’s models. The order compares each model’s rating with the median rating of models in the same price range and averages it by brand. The top pick is the brand’s model that beats that rating by the most in its range.
Prices change without notice and the final amount is the one in the store. The rating comes from each model’s spec sheet; the brand does not count.
Data from Nov 6, 2026.