Buzz
MSI is a well-known brand for gaming laptops. However, with the current needs of users, the MSI Moderna 14 laptop has been introduced targeting business users. Can MSI perform well in this new field, similar to their gaming laptops? Let's explore in this article.
Powerful business-oriented design
The MSI Moderna 14 laptop is produced in three colors: beige, slate blue, and carbon gray.
Ignoring the colors, the overall design of the Moderna 14 is quite suitable for business users. The smooth matte finish provides a silky feel when touched. The logo on the lid and below the screen has a slight reflective effect.
Weighing only 1.3kg, this device feels incredibly light on your lap. This means it's easy to carry and slip into your backpack as you move between home and the office.
The top part of the laptop's shell extends and curves underneath the bottom panel. MSI has crafted a sturdy hinge that allows the laptop to open up to 180 degrees.
This design is expected to be beneficial during presentations in the office. The aluminum shell also provides the Moderna 14 with a structurally sound build.
As for connectivity, you get WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless communication. For physical connections, there's a DC IN power port, an HDMI port, USB-C (with Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort but no charging), and a microSD card slot on the left side.
On the flip side, the right side features two USB A ports, a combined audio jack, and an LED indicator light. A notable absence on the Moderna 14 is an ethernet port.
Immersive audio-visual system for maximum entertainment experience
Upon opening the MSI Moderna 14 laptop, you'll be greeted by a 14-inch LCD screen boasting a 1080p resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and 47% NTSC color representation.
This setup is sufficient for everyday tasks and multimedia entertainment. The display is quite bright, with an anti-glare finish, and is usable outdoors, though the viewing angles are not very wide.
As for audio, even with all Nahimic sound effects, the results from the 2 x 2W speaker duo are not truly impressive.
The built-in microphones perform well for video calls. The webcam is a 720p sensor with a 30FPS speed.
High performance for smooth office tasks
After unlocking the device, you'll be greeted with Windows 10 Home 64-bit, featuring some pre-installed applications.
These applications include the CyberLink suite with audio-video editing tools, Norton antivirus program, Music Maker Jam, Nahimic audio companion, Remote Desktop, and the MSI Center.
You can uninstall these apps if you prefer not to use them. However, it's advisable to keep the MSI Center for adjusting performance modes and accessing utility features and system information.
The Modern 14 laptop is equipped with the 11th generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor. This is a quad-core chip based on the 10nm architecture with 8 threads, a base clock speed of 2.40GHz, and a boost frequency of 4.20GHz.
Paired with that is 8GB DDR4 single-channel RAM (3200MHz) and a 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD. The RAM is single-channel, but you can upgrade by replacing the pre-installed 8GB RAM chip, with support for up to 32GB.
This configuration suits most common tasks. Operations on the laptop are incredibly smooth, without any lag or stutter.
Despite being a newcomer in the business laptop arena, the MSI Moderna 14 has proven itself as a formidable contender. What are your thoughts on the Moderna 14? Could this be your next laptop of choice?
