Video Review: MSI Modern 14 Laptop with i3 CPU (11th gen)

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Directed & Produced by Young Jeohn

Video TABLE OF CONTENTS
Watch it on Youtube: https://youtu.be/T3Igam7CkMQ

00:00 - Introduction
00:36 - Unboxing
01:43 - Product Walkthrough

04:12 - Starting up / Installed programs
06:36 - Webcam & Mic test
07:24 - Go away. Just GO AWAY! (invasive program)

08:38 - Internet Browsing experience
10:22 - Speakers / Audio
11:06 - Display & Graphics (& gaming?)

12:17 - Battery life test
12:34 - NOT Thunderbolt 4... but still useful
13:18 - Keyboard & Trackpad

14:41 - Under the Hood (with Speccy)
15:58 - Conclusion
16:30 - the Cons (& possible design flaw)

This MSI Modern 14 (Model B11 MO-211) has the Intel i3 1115G4 CPU for under $400; it's a great price for 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD and easily takes care of all your web surfing, productivity and casual gaming needs. NOT for video editing, heavy gaming or graphic intensive tasks.

We have found, unfortunately, no Thunderbolt 4 like the retail ad claimed. So we dug deep into MSI's spec sheets to find that their Modern line includes Thunderbolt 4 on models using i5 and i7 chips, but not i3. But we don't blame MSI - we blame the retailer for copy/pasting generic specs to their adverts.

MAIN SPECS

  • CPU: Intel i3-1115G4 (1.3GHz base, 4.1GHz turbo)

  • Graphics: Iris XE integrated GPU (48 Execution Units)

  • Display: 14" FHD IPS (1920 x 1080, 45% NTSC color gamut)

  • RAM: 8GB (1 slot, DDR4 3200MHz, 32GB max)

  • Storage: 512 GB SSD (1 slot, m.2 PCIe NVMe)

PORTS & MISC

  • 2 x USB A: USB 3.2 gen 1

  • 1 x USB C: USB 3.2 gen 2

  • 1 x HDMI

  • 1 x microSD card

  • 1 x audio/mic jack

  • 1 x Charging port (65W)

  • WiFi 6 (802.11ax)

  • Speakers (2 watts)

IT'S GOT ISSUES

  1. Questionable thermal design. You can't close the lid when the laptop is on. If you do, the airflow will be blocked, which sucks if you're using an external monitor, kbd & mouse and want the lid closed.

  2. microSD card may cause conflicts with hub connected peripherals. It's no problem to connect your peripherals (mouse, kbd, webcam, printer, etc) to a hub, which then connects to your laptop. Until you insert a microSD card... then your mouse will stop working every few seconds.

Aside from those two quirks (which may or may not be issues for you), this machine is a great deal for under $400 - and right now's a good time to look for sales. Laptops with 11th gen Intel CPUs will be on offer since the 12th gen laptops are starting to appear.

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More Info: https://www.msi.com

Check prices --- Amazon affiliate link
https://amzn.to/35LLSq0 --- MSI Modern 14 i3 1-1115G4 (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)