The MSI Modern 14 (B11MO): A Stylish and Practical Workhorse for the Budget-Conscious
MSI, known for its gaming prowess, has ventured into the world of productivity laptops with its Modern series. The MSI Modern 14 aims to bridge the gap between aesthetics and practicality, offering a stylish and portable option for young professionals, students, and anyone looking for a reliable workhorse without breaking the bank. This review focuses on the B11MO variant, featuring an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, priced at approximately Rs. 54,990, to see if it’s worth your hard-earned money.
Design: A Symphony of Style and Substance
The MSI Modern 14 (B11MO) isn’t just another laptop; it’s a statement piece. Available in elegant pastel shades like Carbon Gray, Beige Mousse, and the captivating Bluestone (which I had the pleasure of reviewing), it’s bound to turn heads. The aluminum chassis, weighing only 1.3kg and just 16.9mm thick at its thinnest point, makes it incredibly portable. The rigid build quality is reassuring, with minimal body flex in both the base and lid.
Despite its compact size, the Modern 14 boasts a generous selection of ports. On the right side, you’ll find two full-sized USB Type-A ports (USB 3.2 Gen1), along with a headphone jack. The left side houses the charging port, HDMI, USB Type-C port, and a microSD card slot. The Type-C connector in the higher-end models supports Thunderbolt for faster data transfer and device charging.
The 14-inch IPS display with a full-HD resolution and narrow bezels on three sides gives a modern and immersive viewing experience. MSI has thoughtfully placed the webcam above the screen, ensuring you don’t have to look like you’re talking to your laptop’s chin. The chiclet-style keyboard, with its good layout, provides comfortable typing. Although the right Ctrl key is slightly smaller than usual, the three levels of white backlighting and the ability to change the primary function of the Fn row of buttons make typing a breeze. The decently sized trackpad doesn’t interfere with typing and provides a responsive experience.
One of the Modern 14’s clever design features is its ergonomic lift when opened. The rear of the lid doubles as the laptop’s rear feet, creating a slight angle for a more comfortable typing position. The exhaust vents are seamlessly integrated into the hinge line, while the bottom boasts multiple tiny holes for air intake. The speakers, one on each side, are located on the bottom. Adding to its robustness, the Modern 14 is MIL-STD-810G certified for enhanced durability.
Specifications: A Solid Foundation for Productivity
The MSI Modern 14 (B11MO) is available with up to an Intel Core i7 CPU, but the B11MO variant I reviewed comes with the Intel Core i5-1135G7, offering four cores and eight threads. The laptop packs a single 8GB DDR4 RAM stick, with a free slot for future upgrades. This variant lacks a dedicated GPU, relying on the Intel Iris Xe GPU integrated into the CPU. However, other variants offer an optional Nvidia GeForce MX450 GPU for enhanced graphics performance. Every B11MO model comes with a 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD for lightning-fast boot times and application loading.
The Modern 14 supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for seamless wireless connectivity. It’s powered by a 52WHr, 3-cell battery and comes bundled with a compact 65W wall charger.
The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home and, according to MSI, will receive a free update to Windows 11 upon release. The pre-installed MSI Centre Pro app, easily accessed through a dedicated button on the keyboard, allows you to control various settings, including power and battery profiles, perform system checks, and more.
Performance: A Solid Punch for Daily Tasks
The MSI Modern 14 delivered a smooth and reliable performance during my two weeks of use. Booting and waking from hibernation were exceptionally quick thanks to the SSD. While the base of the laptop ran slightly warm during regular use, it was never uncomfortable to use on my lap. The keyboard provides excellent tactile feedback and is quiet during typing. The trackpad is responsive and intuitive.
The Intel 11th Gen Core i5 CPU proves its worth, delivering impressive benchmark scores. In PCMark 10, it achieved a score of 4,455, while in Cinebench R20, it scored 515 and 2,208 in the single and multi-core tests respectively. It also scored 2,078 in 3DMark FireStrike, which is expected considering the reliance on an integrated GPU.
While the Modern 14 isn’t designed for hardcore gaming, it can handle basic titles like Asphalt 9: Legends without a hitch. However, heavier games like Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey struggled even at reduced resolutions and visual quality.
The display, though bright, lacks vibrant colors which can detract from the media consumption experience. The viewing angles are somewhat narrow, both vertically and horizontally. On the plus side, the matte finish minimizes reflections. The stereo speakers, however, disappointed with their tinny sound, even at maximum volume.
Battery life is a highlight of the Modern 14. With light usage, including web browsing, productivity in Chrome, and video streaming through Netflix, I consistently achieved close to eight hours on a single charge. This is excellent for a laptop of this size and weight. In the Battery Eater Pro benchmark, the laptop lasted for a respectable one and a half hours.
Verdict: A Winning Combination of Style and Value
The MSI Modern 14 (B11MO) strikes a fantastic balance between price and performance. For around Rs. 55,000, it offers a current-gen Intel CPU, ample storage, solid performance for office tasks, and most importantly, impressive battery life. While the display and speakers could be better, the Modern 14 excels in other areas.
If you’re looking for a sleek and portable laptop with long battery life, a plentiful selection of physical ports, and dependable performance, the MSI Modern 14 (B11MO) is a compelling choice. It’s a stylish and practical workhorse for those who prioritize value and performance without compromise.
