MSI Modern 13.3" F1M Platinum Gray Review

The MSI Modern F1M hits the 92nd percentile for compactness at 1.32kg, making it one of the lightest 13.3-inch laptops we've tracked. You also get a generous 1TB SSD (81st percentile). But that portability comes at the cost of a mediocre 45% NTSC screen, a small 46Wh battery, and an average CPU that puts it behind many rivals.

In the world of thin-and-light laptops, the MSI Modern F1M manages to stand out by being, well, really light. At just 1.32kg, it lands in the 92nd percentile for compactness in our database, meaning it's one of the absolute lightest 13.3-inch notebooks we've tracked. You get 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and Windows 11 Pro in a machine you can slip into any bag without thinking twice.

But that featherweight design comes with serious compromises. The Core 7-150U CPU sits at the 45th percentile, fine for Office and web but not much else. The 13.3-inch 1080p IPS panel is rated for just 45% NTSC color coverage, a below-average spec that makes the screen look washed out next to almost any modern phone. And a 46Wh battery means you won't get a full day away from an outlet unless your workload is very light.

Under the hood, the Core 7-150U pairs two performance cores with eight efficiency cores and can boost up to 5.4GHz, but our testing shows it places at the 45th percentile among laptops. That's enough for smooth multitasking on Office apps, many browser tabs, and even light coding, but heavy spreadsheets or 4K video editing will make it sweat. The integrated Intel Graphics (54th percentile) handles day-to-day visuals, but gaming is a non-starter—our gaming score for this machine is a dismal 8 out of 100.

The RAM story is mixed. 16GB is a workable amount, but it runs at slower DDR4 speeds, placing the RAM module at the 37th percentile. On the upside, the 1TB NVMe SSD is a standout, landing in the 81st percentile and giving you loads of snappy storage for files, projects, and even a decent game library if you ever add an eGPU down the line. All told, this laptop gets office and student tasks done, but our database places it well behind similarly priced systems with Core Ultra 7 or Zen 4 chips.

We've seen the MSI Modern F1M listed from $799 all the way up to a baffling $30,790. At the lower end of that spectrum, you're getting a 1.32kg laptop with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for under $800, which is a compelling price-per-pound ratio. Just don't pay a cent over $1,000, because the performance and screen quality fall apart quickly against better-equipped competitors. Scout for the $799 deal if you're set on this model.

Stacked against the Apple MacBook Pro M5 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro, the MSI Modern F1M is dramatically lighter (1.32kg vs ~1.6kg and up) and much cheaper at its street price, but it gives up a massive amount of compute and display quality. The Galaxy Book5 Pro, for instance, offers a gorgeous AMOLED panel and a battery that lasts twice as long. Meanwhile, the ASUS ProArt PX13 steps up with a discrete GPU and a color-accurate screen for creators. If all you need is an ultraportable Windows machine and you keep expectations in check, the MSI's price might tempt you, but most people would be happier stepping up to any of those three.

Skip the MSI Modern F1M if you need any sort of graphical muscle—its 8/100 gaming score makes even Fortnite a no-go—or if you're doing creative work that demands accurate colors (45% NTSC screen). Battery endurance is also a dealbreaker for anyone who works away from power outlets all day. At this price, many laptops offer better all-around performance and displays, so unless portability is your only priority, you'll find a more balanced machine elsewhere.

The MSI Modern F1M makes sense if your main goal is to get the lightest Windows laptop you can find for under $800. Its 1.32kg weight and 1TB SSD make it an easy choice for students or travelers who live in Google Workspace and Office, and the port selection is refreshingly practical. But that slim profile and budget price exact a toll: the screen is lackluster, the battery will have you hunting for outlets, and the Core 7-150U isn't built for demanding software. In a world where even budget Chromebooks now ship with better displays and longer battery life, the Modern F1M feels like a specialized tool for a narrow audience.