In the world of laptops designed for business professionals and on-the-go executives, finding the perfect balance between performance, portability, and price can be challenging. MSI’s Modern 15 H C13M attempts to hit that sweet spot by delivering reliable performance, a clean design, and modern connectivity options without breaking the bank. Let’s dive into what this machine has to offer.
Design and Build: Subtle Elegance with Practicality
The MSI Modern 15 H C13M features a minimalist design that exudes professionalism. Its Classic Black finish is understated and mature, perfect for business environments. While the metal lid adds a premium touch and ensures stability, the plastic base is solid and durable, making the laptop feel robust despite its lightweight nature.
One standout feature is the hinge, which allows the lid to open almost fully flat, enhancing usability in collaborative environments. The “Flip and Share” function (activated via the F12 key) is a handy addition, allowing users to rotate the display 180 degrees. This makes it easy to share presentations or content during meetings.
On the downside, the glossy body surface tends to attract fingerprints, which might require frequent cleaning to maintain its professional look.
Display and Ports: Adequate for Business Tasks
The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS panel offers wide viewing angles, making it suitable for tasks like document editing and presentations. However, its brightness levels and color accuracy leave room for improvement, particularly if your work involves color-sensitive applications. Nevertheless, the port selection is one of the Modern 15 H C13M’s strong points. It includes:
- On the left: A power plug, HDMI 2.1 (supports up to 4K@60Hz), USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 2), USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen. 2) with DisplayPort, and an audio combo jack.
- On the right: Two USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 2) ports and a MicroSD card reader.
This comprehensive setup ensures seamless connectivity with peripherals, displays, and external storage, catering to the needs of modern professionals.
Performance: Efficient Yet Versatile
At the heart of the Modern 15 H C13M is the Intel Core i9-13900H processor from Intel’s Raptor Lake series, paired with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD. With a base power limit of 45W, this H-series CPU is a rare find in laptops without a dedicated GPU at this price point. The robust cooling system allows this laptop to handle tasks like photo editing and video converting with ease.
In benchmarks, the laptop scores 5905 in PCMark 10, highlighting its ability to handle productivity tasks such as spreadsheets, web browsing, and video conferencing efficiently. Meanwhile, a 3DMark Time Spy score of 1860 reflects respectable graphics performance, even though the laptop isn’t designed for gaming or heavy 3D applications. These scores underscore the Modern 15 H C13M’s capability to tackle demanding professional workloads while maintaining cool operation.
The laptop houses a modest 39.3Wh battery, which lasts about a day from morning till evening under optimized settings.
Usability: Comfort Meets Functionality
The white light backlit keyboard is one of the highlights, offering a comfortable typing experience with its large keycaps, long travel, and tactile feedback. The addition of a NumPad and large arrow keys further enhances usability for tasks involving data entry or navigation. The touchpad is responsive and precise, complementing the overall user experience.
The inclusion of a 720p webcam with a privacy shutter and 3D noise reduction is a thoughtful addition, ensuring better video quality during virtual meetings while maintaining privacy.
One of the standout features of the Modern 15 H C13M is its upgradability. With two SODIMM slots for DDR4 memory, users can expand the RAM as needed. While DDR4 is a cost-effective choice compared to DDR5, it might not appeal to those seeking cutting-edge technology. The single M.2 slot supports Gen 4 NVMe SSDs, providing fast storage speeds but limiting expandability for additional drives.
Verdict: A Business Laptop That Delivers Value
Priced at ₹79,990, the MSI Modern 15 H C13M strikes a fine balance between performance, usability, and affordability. With a powerful CPU, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, robust cooling, modern connectivity, and a comfortable keyboard, it caters well to business professionals and executives who demand reliability and efficiency on the go. If you’re looking for a laptop that combines versatile performance with modern conveniences in a durable package, the MSI Modern 15 H C13M deserves a place on your shortlist.
