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日本MSI Thin 15 B12U review – Capable Budget Gaming Machine
In 2024, the market offers a lot of budget gaming laptops and some of them are pretty capable for their price. One of the notable mentions in this category is the Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-41) which is a great bang for the buck but has one bad flaw – the super high noise during CPU-heavy tasks. On the other hand, we got the MSI Thin 15 B12U which is also an inexpensive gaming machine and it looks pretty sleek for its class.
This one is offered with Intel Alder Lake-H CPUs and up to RTX 3050 with 4GB VRAM. The 12th Gen 45W chips are still a good choice for the budget segment. They pack tons of power for everyday tasks or playing games. We decided to buy perhaps the most affordable version of this notebook with an i5 CPU, RTX 2050, and just 8GB of RAM. Yep, just one of the two SODIMMs is occupied and the memory works in a single-channel mode.
There is just one display model but this one looks okay on paper – a 144Hz 1080p IPS panel. We are amazed that this gadget has four USB ports which is a rare find considering the price tag. Also, the keyboard has a backlight, and the connectivity is just fine for this kind of laptop – Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth v5.3. The security is as basic as it gets including fTPM 2.0 and Kensington Lock slot.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/msi-thin-15-b12ux-b12vx-b13ux-b13vx/
Contents
Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
MSI Thin 15 (B12Ux / B12Vx / B13Ux / B13Vx) - Specs
- HDD/SSD
- up to 2000GB SSD
- M.2 Slot
- 1x 2280 PCIe NVMe 4.0 x4 + SATA slot See photo
- RAM
- up to 64GB
- OS
- Windows 11 Home, DOS, No OS, Windows 11 Pro, Chrome OS, Windows 11
- Battery
- 52.4Wh, 52.4Wh, 3-cell
- Body material
- Plastic / Polycarbonate, Aluminum
- Dimensions
- 359 x 254 x 21.7 mm (14.13" x 10.00" x 0.85")
- Weight
- 1.86 kg (4.1 lbs)
- Ports and connectivity
- 3x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
- 1x USB Type-C
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), DisplayPort
- HDMI
- Card reader
- Ethernet LAN
- 10, 100, 1000 Mbit/s
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11ax
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Audio jack
- 1x Headphone Jack + 1x Microphone Jack
- Features
- Fingerprint reader
- Web camera
- HD
- Backlit keyboard
- optional
- Microphone
- Speakers
- 2x 2W Stereo Speakers, DTS Audio, Hi-Res Audio
- Optical drive
- Security Lock slot
- Kensington Lock
All MSI Thin 15 (B12Ux / B12Vx / B13Ux / B13Vx) configurations
Drivers
All drivers and utilities for this notebook can be found here: https://www.msi.com/Laptop/Thin-15-B12UX/support
What’s in the box?
The sturdy box contains a couple of manuals and a 120W barrel plug charger.
Design and construction
The MSI Thin 15 B12U has a similar design to the Thin GF63 (12Vx), but the specific model we are looking at has a more modern appearance in its Cosmos Grey color compared to the other sibling. The top of the lid and the base are made of aluminum, the rest is plastic. With a profile of 21.7 mm, this one isn’t the thinnest 15-incher we’ve seen but the weight is low as it reaches 1.86 kilos.
The lid can’t be opened with a single hand and the unit rigidity is average. The same can be said for the base. You can press down the zones above and below the keyboard but they aren’t too spongy. The central part of the board slightly flexes during typing. Nothing too serious though but keep that in mind.
MSI states that this laptop has a “thin bezel design”. This applies only to the side bezels. The plastic around the display is painted in a lighter color compared to the main body. This additionally highlights how thick the top and the bottom bezels are. The 720p@30FPS Web camera is placed above the screen.
The keyboard glows in a blue color. The WASD section is translucent and you also get full-sized Arrow keys. The big keycaps have surprisingly clicky feedback and the travel is decent at best. The power button is separated in the top right corner of the chassis.
The touchpad seems small but at least it has a smooth surface. The accuracy is normal and the pad is suitable for work. Still, the lower side of the unit is too wobbly while tapping on it and the clicking mechanism is a bit noisier than usual.
The bottom plate has a typical gaming design for an MSI device. It houses a bunch of ventilation grills in different sizes and shapes, a battery reset hole, and two speaker cutouts. The hot air is being exhausted via two vents – one on the rear and one on the left.
Ports
On the left, you get a power connector and a USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 1) port. The HDMI port for up to 4K@30Hz external displays is located on the back. The right side is home to a Kensington Lock slot, LAN, USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen. 1) port with DisplayPort and charging functionality, two USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen. 1) ports, followed by separated Headphone and Microphone jacks.
Display and Sound Quality, Get our Profiles
MSI Thin 15 B12U is equipped with an IPS Full HD panel, model number Innolux N156HRA-EA1 (CMN1521). It comes with a 144Hz refresh rate. Its diagonal is 15.6″ (39.6 cm), and the resolution – 1920 x 1080p. Additionally, the screen ratio is 16:9, the pixel density – 142 ppi, and their pitch – 0.18 x 0.18 mm. The screen can be considered Retina when viewed from at least 60 cm (this is based on the pixel density and the typical viewing distance at which individual pixels cannot be distinguished by the human eye).
Viewing angles are good. We offer images at different angles to evaluate the quality.
Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.
The maximum measured brightness is 287 nits (cd/m2) in the middle of the screen and 266 nits (cd/m2) average across the surface with a maximum deviation of 13%. The Correlated Color Temperature on a white screen and at maximum brightness is 6260K.
In the illustration below you can see how the display performs from a uniformity perspective. The illustration below shows how matters are for operational brightness levels (approximately 180 nits) – in this particular case at 67% Brightness (White level = 181 cd/m2, Black level = 0.13 cd/m2).
Values of dE2000 over 4.0 should not occur, and this parameter is one of the first you should check if you intend to use the laptop for color-sensitive work (a maximum tolerance of 2.0 ). The contrast ratio is good – 1350:1.
To make sure we are on the same page, we would like to give you a little introduction to the sRGB color gamut and the Adobe RGB. To start, there’s the CIE 1976 Uniform Chromaticity Diagram that represents the visible specter of colors by the human eye, giving you a better perception of the color gamut coverage and the color accuracy.
Inside the black triangle, you will see the standard color gamut (sRGB) that is being used by millions of people on HDTV and on the web. As for the Adobe RGB, this is used in professional cameras, monitors, etc for printing. Basically, colors inside the black triangle are used by everyone and this is the essential part of the color quality and color accuracy of a mainstream notebook.
Still, we’ve included other color spaces like the famous DCI-P3 standard used by movie studios, as well as the digital UHD Rec.2020 standard. Rec.2020, however, is still a thing of the future and it’s difficult for today’s displays to cover that well. We’ve also included the so-called Michael Pointer gamut, or Pointer’s gamut, which represents the colors that naturally occur around us every day.
The yellow dotted line shows MSI Thin 15 B12U’s color gamut coverage.
Its display covers 53% of the sRGB/ITU-R BT.709 (web/HDTV standard) in CIE1976 and 42% of DCI-P3.
Our “Design and Gaming” profile delivers optimal color temperature at 180 cd/m2 luminance (Illuminant white point – D65), sRGB encoding curve.
We tested the accuracy of the display with 24 commonly used colors like light and dark human skin, blue sky, green grass, orange, etc. You can check out the results at factory condition and also, with the “Design and Gaming” profile.
Below you can compare the scores of the MSI Thin 15 B12U with the default settings (left), and with the “Gaming and Web design” profile (right).
The next figure shows how well the display is able to reproduce really dark parts of an image, which is essential when watching movies or playing games in low ambient light.
The left side of the image represents the display with stock settings, while the right one is enhanced with the “Gaming and Web Design” profile activated. On the horizontal axis, you will find the grayscale, and on the vertical axis – the luminance of the display. On the two graphs below you can easily check for yourself how your display handles the darkest nuances but keep in mind that this also depends on the settings of your current display, the calibration, the viewing angle, and the surrounding light conditions.
Response time (Gaming capabilities)
We test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” method from 10% to 90% and vice versa.
We recorded Fall Time + Rise Time = 17.5 ms.
After that, we test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “Gray-to-Gray” method from 50% White to 80% White and vice versa between 10% and 90% of the amplitude.
Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)
Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is an easy way to control monitor brightness. When you lower the brightness, the light intensity of the backlight is not lowered, but instead turned off and on by the electronics with a frequency indistinguishable to the human eye. In these light impulses, the light/no-light time ratio varies, while brightness remains unchanged, which is harmful to your eyes. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.
MSI Thin 15 B12U’s display doesn’t flicker at any brightness level. This makes the screen pretty comfortable for long periods of use.
Health Impact: Blue light emissions
Installing our Health-Guard profile not only eliminates the harmful pulsations, when the laptop uses such for brightness control, but also reduces the harmful Blue Light emissions while keeping the colors of the screen perceptually accurate. If you’re not familiar with the Blue light, the TL;DR version is – emissions that negatively affect your eyes, skin, and your whole body. You can find more information about that in our dedicated article on Blue Light.
Health Impact: Screen Reflectance
Glossy-coated displays can be inconvenient in high ambient light conditions due to reflections. We measure the screen reflection level for each laptop when the display is turned off and the measurement angle is set at 60°.
The reflectance of the MSI’s screen is 51.9 GU.
High Gloss: >70 GU
Medium Gloss: 30 – 70 GU
Low Gloss: <30 GU
Sound
MSI Thin 15 B12U’s speakers produce a sound of very good quality. Furthermore, the low, mid, and high tones are clear of deviations.
Buy our profiles
Since our profiles are tailored for each individual display model, this article and its respective profile package are meant for MSI Thin 15 B12U configurations with 15.6″ Innolux N156HRA-EA1 (CMN1521) (1920 x 1080) IPS.
*Should you have problems with downloading the purchased file, try using a different browser to open the link you’ll receive via e-mail. If the download target is a .php file instead of an archive, change the file extension to .zip or contact us at [email protected].
Read more about the profiles HERE.
In addition to receiving efficient and health-friendly profiles, by buying LaptopMedia's products you also support the development of our labs, where we test devices in order to produce the most objective reviews possible.
Office Work
Office Work should be used mostly by users who spend most of the time looking at pieces of text, tables or just surfing. This profile aims to deliver better distinctness and clarity by keeping a flat gamma curve (2.20), native color temperature and perceptually accurate colors.
Design and Gaming
This profile is aimed at designers who work with colors professionally, and for games and movies as well. Design and Gaming takes display panels to their limits, making them as accurate as possible in the sRGB IEC61966-2-1 standard for Web and HDTV, at white point D65.
Health-Guard
Health-Guard eliminates the harmful Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) and reduces the negative Blue Light which affects our eyes and body. Since it’s custom tailored for every panel, it manages to keep the colors perceptually accurate. Health-Guard simulates paper so the pressure on the eyes is greatly reduced.
Get all 3 profiles with 33% discount
Performance: CPU, GPU, Storage
All benchmarks and tests were conducted with the “Extreme Performance” profile activated in the MSI Center. Also, the “Performance mode” is applied in the BIOS in the “User Scenario” section. In addition, the “Best performance” preset is activated in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu.
CPU options
At the time of writing this review, this laptop is offered with Intel Core i5-12450H or Core i7-12650H.
Our device has an i5 chip.
Here, we evaluate the CPU's performance using a real-world 3D rendering task, assessing its ability to handle complex computations and rendering workloads efficiently.
Results are from the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Single-core performance ensures smooth operation and responsiveness in operating systems, providing a better user experience.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Single-Core test (higher is better)
Multi-core performance is essential for handling complex and demanding tasks, such as Video editing, CAD, and Scientific simulations.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
GPU options
You can choose between two 45W 4GB GPUs – RTX 2050 or RTX 3050.
Our machine is equipped with a 2050 model.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
The results are from 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Higher is better.
Gaming tests
| Metro Exodus | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Extreme (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | 104 fps | 39 fps | 12 fps |
| Borderlands 3 | Full HD, V.Low (Check settings) | Full HD, Medium (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Badass (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | 108 fps | 76 fps | 51 fps | 38 fps |
| Far Cry 6 | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Ultra (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | 81 fps | 59 fps | 41 fps |
| Gears 5 | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, Medium (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Ultra (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | 127 fps | 83 fps | 68 fps | 53 fps |
Here, the performance of the RTX 2050 is surprisingly good despite the memory that works in a single-channel mode. Playing games on Medium details is absolutely possible.
Storage performance
Our notebook has a 512GB Phison ESO512GHLCA1-21C-2MS. This NVMe is decently fast and its thermal during benchmarking is also fine – 52°C.
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Temperatures and comfort, Battery Life
Max CPU load
In this test we use 100% on the CPU cores, monitoring their frequencies and chip temperature. The first column shows a computer’s reaction to a short load (2-10 seconds), the second column simulates a serious task (between 15 and 30 seconds), and the third column is a good indicator of how good the laptop is for long loads such as video rendering.
Average core frequency (base frequency + X); CPU temp.
| Intel Core i5-12450H (45W TDP) | 0:02 – 0:10 sec | 0:15 – 0:30 sec | 10:00 – 15:00 min |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Thin 15 B12U | 3.91 GHz @ 3.07 GHz @ 76°C @ 76W | 3.83 GHz @ 3.03 GHz @ 83°C @ 74W | 3.16 GHz @ 2.55 GHz @ 77°C @ 52W |
| Acer Aspire 7 (A715-76G) | 4.09 GHz @ 3.21 GHz @ 76°C @ 89W | 4.09 GHz @ 3.21 GHz @ 86°C @ 88W | 2.78 GHz @ 2.72 GHz @ 75°C @ 52W |
The 45W Core i5-12450H can sustain ~ 3.90 GHz / 3.00 GHz P and E-core clocks in short and medium loads. In longer stress, the frequencies reach 3.20 GHz / 2.60 GHz which is more than enough for adequate gaming performance.
Real-life gaming
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 | GPU frequency/ Core temp (after 2 min) | GPU frequency/ Core temp (after 30 min) |
|---|---|---|
| MSI Thin 15 B12U | 1600 MHz @ 70°C @ 45W | 1581 MHz @ 73°C @ 45W |
| Dell Inspiron 16 5630 | 1182 MHz @ 69°C @ 30W | 1182 MHz @ 67°C @ 30W |
The NVIDIA Control Panel shows a max TGP of 45W for the RTX 2050. The chip can maintain this power limit during long gaming sessions.
Gaming comfort
The MSI Center offers four power presets and an AI-powered “MSI AI Engine” mode which automatically tunes the CPU and GPU frequencies depending on the load. While playing games, the single fan is noisy-ish but not in an intrusive way.
When the GPU is stressed hard, the hot spot on the keyboard is on the top right section and it reaches 47°C. The WASD zone is nearing 40°C. Overall, the board feels warm, not hot.
The idle fan speed is around 2400 RPM in “Extreme Performance” mode when the CPU temperature is above 50°C. Below this value, the fan doesn’t spin. However, the CPU thermals are notably variable and spiking between 45°C and 55°C even in idle. That’s why you’ll constantly hear how the fan starts to spin and then stops after a few seconds. This is a bit annoying and closing the lid when not using the laptop is the best solution. The “Cooler Boost” function bumps the fan to ~5454 RPM and yes, that’s loud (but not too extreme).
Idle Fan On
Idle Fan Off
“Cooler Boost” OnWhen using the ‘Extreme Performance’ mode, the fan becomes loud during heavy CPU usage, as it runs at full speed even without the ‘Cooler Boost’ mode enabled. In “Balanced” mode the noise is tamed but the P-core clock is hammered.
“Extreme Performance” RPM
“Balanced” RPM
“Extreme Performance” Clocks
“Balanced” ClocksDuring gaming in ‘Extreme Performance’ mode, the noise is lower compared to CPU-only intensive tasks. It’s great to see that the 45W GPU TGP is available even when the “Balanced” preset is applied.
“Extreme Performance” RPM
“Balanced” RPM
“Extreme Performance” TGP
“Balanced” TGPThis is the main menu of the BIOS.
Battery
Now, we conduct the battery tests with the Windows Best Power Efficiency setting turned on, screen brightness adjusted to 180 nits and all other programs turned off except for the one we are testing the notebook with. This laptop’s 52.40Wh battery lasts for 5 hours and 31 minutes of video playback. To achieve that, you have to apply the “Super Battery” preset in the MSI Center. The “Balance” mode should be selected in the BIOS in the “User Scenario” section and the “Best Power Efficiency” preset is also activated in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu.
Brightness: 180 nits; Display Mode: SDR
Time to Full Discharge: Higher is Better
Disassembly, Upgrade options, and Maintenance
To remove the bottom panel, you have to undo 12 Phillips-head screws. Use a thin plastic tool to pop the rear close to the Kensington Lock slot. When that is done, insert the tool a bit deeper into the chassis to create a small gap on the side and pop it.
Pry the other side as well as the front and fully pop the back.
Since the Headphone and the Microphone jacks slightly stick out of the motherboard you may need to lift the plate on the right and slide it to the left.
Here’s how the bottom panel looks on the inside.
This machine has a 52.4Wh battery. To remove it, first, pull out the connector from the mainboard. Then, you have to unglue the unit starting from the left side. The double-sided tape that is applied on the left and the right is very sticky and you have to pull hard but don’t bend the battery too much. The capacity is enough for 5 hours and 31 minutes of video playback. Keep in mind that the touchpad is positioned right below the battery so if you aren’t careful you can damage it.
The two SODIMMs can handle up to 64GB of DDR4-3200MHz RAM that works in dual-channel mode. This is the maximum official manufacturer’s specified limit for an Alder Lake-H CPU. For storage, we can see a single M.2 slot compatible with 2280 Gen 4 NVMe drives and a SATA slot for regular 2.5-inch SSDs or HDDs.
We found two thick thermal pads beneath the preinstalled NVMe for lowering the temperatures during heavy loads.
The Wi-Fi card is placed on the top left side of the motherboard.
The thermal system comprises a single sizable fan and three heat pipes. The lower one is shared between the CPU and the GPU while the one in the middle is solely dedicated to the graphics card. The top pipe cools the processor and the GPU’s VRMs and memory chips. We can also spot a pair of heat sinks and three heat spreaders.
Verdict
At the end of the day, the MSI Thin 15 B12U seems like a good budget device. The Core i5-12450H can sustain 3.20 GHz / 2.60 GHz P and E core frequencies during long CPU loads and the RTX 2050 boasts a stable 45W TGP even in long gaming sessions. In this case, the noise is acceptable as well as the keyboard temperature.
The chassis rigidity is moderate but the aluminum lid and top section of the base add a bit of a premium feel which is nice to see in this price category. The backlit keyboard isn’t spectacular but it’s good enough for gaming or typing.
The 1080p IPS display (Innolux N156HRA-EA1 (CMN1521)) is appropriate for long hours of work because it lacks PWM usage. Don’t expect miracles, this is an average unit with an okay contact ratio (1350:1) and color accuracy when our “Design and Gaming” profile is applied. If you want a panel with vibrant colors and above 300 nits of brightness, you have to stretch your wallet a bit more for a higher-tier laptop.
The port selection seems more than good with its four USBs plus LAN and HDMI. Sadly, even the Type-C connector is rated at 5 Gbps. The upgradability is good – two SODIMMs, one M.2 slot, and a SATA one for 2.5″ devices.
The MSI Thin 15 B12U impresses with its adequate performance for the class, PWM-free IPS display, good upgradability, and many USB ports.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/msi-thin-15-b12ux-b12vx-b13ux-b13vx/
Pros
- Good overall performance for the class
- 2x SODIMMs + 1x M.2 slot + 1x SATA slot
- PWM-free (CMN1521)
- Wide viewing angles (CMN1521)
- Good backlit keyboard
- Aluminum lid and top base cover
- The Core i5-12450H can sustain 3.20 GHz / 2.60 GHz P and E core frequencies during long CPU loads
- The MSI Center offers plenty of customizations
- 4x USB ports
- Light device – 1.86 kg
- Acceptable noise levels during gaming
- The RTX 2050 can maintain a stable 45W TGP even in “Balanced” mode
- Good sound quality
- Decently fast and well-cooled SSD (512GB Phison ESO512GHLCA1-21C-2MS)
- Aluminum lid and top chassis cover
Cons
- Just Gen 1 USB ports
- Slight wobble in the middle of the keyboard during harsh typing
- Low sRGB coverage (CMN1521)
- Short battery life
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