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The MSI G Series consists of seven laptop tiers; we go over each one here

MSI G Series consists of seven laptop tiers; we go over each one here (Image source: MSI)
MSI G Series consists of seven laptop tiers; we go over each one here (Image source: MSI)
GV, GF, GL, GP, GE, GS, GT... what do they all mean? If you're in the market for an MSI laptop, here's a 101 on the entire G Series from budget all the way up to enthusiast.

GV Series

Gamers on tight budgets should start with the bottom-of-the-barrel MSI GV series. These laptops offer last generation graphics (GeForce GTX 1050, 1050 Ti, and 1060) with Core i5 and i7 options. Note that these are the same processors as found on enthusiast gaming laptops like the Razer Blade or Asus Zephyrus series.

Auxiliary features are kept to a bare minimum meaning only a single-zone keyboard backlight, no Thunderbolt 3, no fast refresh rates, no fast response times, and a very small 41 Wh battery capacity.

GV62 review

15.6-inch GV62
15.6-inch GV62
17.3-inch GV72
17.3-inch GV72

GF Series

One step up from the GV Series is the GF Series. The GF63 has a thin bezel design to be noticeably lighter and smaller than the GV series. Faster 120 Hz and 5 ms displays are now also an option, but the single-color single-zone keyboard backlight remains. Note that its CPU and GPU options remain identical to the GV Series for similar gaming potential.

The older GF62 models actually have tri-zone RGB keyboard backlighting, but these are stuck with older Kaby Lake Core i7-7700HQ CPUs.

GF62 review

GF63 review

15.6-inch GF63 (latest model)
15.6-inch GF63 (latest model)
15.6-inch GF62 (older model)
15.6-inch GF62 (older model)

GL Series

The GL family is where performance begins to ramp up. The GL63 and GL73 can be equipped with Nvidia's brand new GeForce RTX 2060 GPU for a rough 35 percent graphics boost over the GTX 1060. Higher quality panels with both 120 Hz refresh rate and 94 percent NTSC color coverage are also optional. Single-color single-zone keyboard backlight remains the same as on the GF63 and GV series.

GL63 review

GL73 review

15.6-inch GL63
15.6-inch GL63
17.3-inch GL73
17.3-inch GL73

GP Series

The GP Series is only a minor step up from the GL. The latest GP73 introduces three-zone RGB keyboard backlighting, but it is otherwise nearly identical to the GL series. MSI has yet to update the GP series with GeForce RTX graphics and so GPU options are "only" up to the GTX 1070.

GP62 review

15.6-inch GP62
15.6-inch GP62
17.3-inch GP73
17.3-inch GP73

GE Series

This is where we enter the high-end enthusiast range. The GE75 introduces dual 3 W subwoofers, 144 Hz display options, per-key RGB lighting, and GeForce RTX graphics from the RTX 2060 all the way up to the RTX 2080. The model even manages to be thinner (1.08-inch vs. 1.25-inch) and lighter (5.75 lbs vs. 5.95 lbs) than the 17.3-inch GP73.

Chassis design and port positioning are otherwise very nearly the same between the GE75 and GP73 series.

GE63 review

15.6-inch GE63
15.6-inch GE63
17.3-inch GE75
17.3-inch GE75

GS Series

The GS laptops are probably the most well-known and popular with readers. These models are designed to be super-thin, super-light, and super-attractive — often at the expense of louder fans and more flexible designs. Both the 15.6-inch GS65 and 17.3-inch GS75 models have 144 Hz 1080p displays, RTX 2060, RTX 2070 Max-Q, and RTX 2080 Max-Q GPU options, per-key RGB lighting, and Thunderbolt 3. Display response time is 7 ms for the GS65 and 3 ms for the GS75.

GS65 review

15.6-inch GS65
15.6-inch GS65
17.3-inch GS75
17.3-inch GS75

GT Series

The GT Series consists of MSI's flagship enthusiast offerings with the longest list of features. 4K UHD displays are available and GPU options include only the RTX 2070 and RTX 2080 with nothing lower. Core i9 CPUs and 2.5 Gbps LAN ports make appearances here as well.

These are also by far the heaviest laptops in the entire G Series. The GT75 weighs almost twice as much as the GE75 while being over twice as thick. The increase in volume allows the GT75 to potentially run quieter, cooler, and faster than its lesser siblings.

GT63 review

GT75 review

15.6-inch GT63
15.6-inch GT63
17.3-inch GT75
17.3-inch GT75
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 02 > The MSI G Series consists of seven laptop tiers; we go over each one here
Allen Ngo, 2019-02-15 (Update: 2019-02-15)