MSI or HP: which laptop is better?
The two brands side by side with the 6 Nov 2026 check.
In November 2026, MSI has the edge in laptops: average rating 6.9 against 5.5 from HP, with a median price of £985 against £465. Each one’s best models today: MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V (£559) and HP Elitebook 15.6″ Core i5-8365U (£460).
See side by sideMSI
3 categories won
6.9 median rating
19 models, from £559 to £1,599
HP
0 categories won
5.4 median rating
16 models, from £278 to £1,099
MSI wins in 3 of 4 categories. 1 tie.
Performance
MSI winsThe best from MSI in performance
MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6″ Core i7-14650HX RTX 5070
Performance 9.0 score 8.4
£1,599
Memory and storage
MSI winsThe best from MSI in memory and storage
MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V
Memory and storage 9.3 score 8.5
£559
The best from HP in memory and storage
HP Elitebook 15.6″ Core i5-8365U
Memory and storage 8.3 score 5.4
£460
Screen
MSI winsPorts and how current it is
TieThe best from MSI in ports and how current it is
MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258VPorts and how current it is 6.3 score 8.5
£559
The best from HP in ports and how current it is
HP Omnibook 16″ Core Ultra 5 226V
Ports and how current it is 6.3 score 6.5
£1,099
MSI and HP side by side
| Item | MSI | HP |
|---|---|---|
| Models in today’s catalog | 19 | 16 |
| Average rating | 6.9 | 5.5 |
| Median price | £985 | £465 |
| Below the normal price today | 0 | 0 |
| Where it stands out most | from £450 to £650 | no standout range |
| Best model | MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V, £559 | HP Elitebook 15.6″ Core i5-8365U, £460 |
| Cheapest | MSI Modern 15.6″ Core 7 150U, £489 | HP Chromebook 14″ Celeron, £211 |
In which price range each one wins
| Price range | MSI | HP | Who wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to £450 | 0 | 7 | only HP has a model |
| from £450 to £650 | 4 | 5 | MSI |
| from £650 to £800 | 4 | 0 | only MSI has a model |
| from £800 to £1,200 | 7 | 3 | MSI |
| over £1,200 | 4 | 1 | MSI |
Who each one is for
Choose MSI to have the highest average rating (6.9 against 5.5); have more options (19 against 16); buy from £450 to £650; look at from £650 to £800, where only it has a model. Best model: MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V, at £559.
Choose HP to pay less (median price of £465 against £985); look at up to £450, where only it has a model. Best model: HP Elitebook 15.6″ Core i5-8365U, at £460.
Other brand comparisons
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See all MSI laptops
Price and rating of each of the brand’s models, from today’s check.
Frequently asked questions
MSI or HP: which laptop is better?
In November 2026, MSI has the edge in laptops: average rating 6.9 against 5.5 from HP, with a median price of £985 against £465. Each one’s best models today: MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V (£559) and HP Elitebook 15.6″ Core i5-8365U (£460).
Which is cheaper, MSI or HP?
By median price, HP: £465 against £985. Its cheapest model today is HP Chromebook 14″ Celeron, at £211.
Which has more models, MSI or HP?
MSI has 19 models and HP has 16 models in the 6 Nov 2026 check.
Read next
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 6 Nov 2026.