Product comparison · 2 laptops

Lenovo ThinkPad T550 vs MSI GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR

142specifications compared
57differ
85identical
70known for one product only

Key differences

Market positioning
- ThinkPad T550:Business
- GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR:Gaming
Display diagonal
- ThinkPad T550:39.6 cm (15.6")
- GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR:33.8 cm (13.3")
Processor generation
- ThinkPad T550:5th gen Intel® Core™ i7
- GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR:4th gen Intel® Core™ i7
Processor model
- ThinkPad T550:i7-5600U
- GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR:i7-4720HQ
Processor cores
- ThinkPad T550:2
- GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR:4
Processor threads
- ThinkPad T550:4
- GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR:8
Processor boost frequency
- ThinkPad T550:3.2 GHz
- GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR:3.6 GHz
Processor cache
- ThinkPad T550:4 MB
- GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR:6 MB

Side by side

Differences highlightedShow differences only

Comparison of ThinkPad T550, GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR
212 specifications	A Lenovo ThinkPad T550 View product	B MSI GS30 2M(Shadow)-023FR View product
Design1 differ
Product type	Laptop	Laptop
Product colour	Black	Black
Form factor	Clamshell	Clamshell
Housing materialKnown for one	Glass fibre, Plastic	Unknown — not stated by the source
Market positioningDiffers	Business	Gaming
Display1 differ
Display diagonalDiffers	39.6 cm (15.6")	33.8 cm (13.3")
Display resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels	1920 x 1080 pixels
Touchscreen	No	No
HD type	Full HD	Full HD
LED backlight	Yes	Yes
Native aspect ratio	16:9	16:9
Display brightnessKnown for one	300 cd/m²	Unknown — not stated by the source
Display surfaceKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Matt
Dual-screenKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	No
Processor17 differ
Processor manufacturer	Intel	Intel
Processor family	Intel® Core™ i7	Intel® Core™ i7
Processor generationDiffers	5th gen Intel® Core™ i7	4th gen Intel® Core™ i7
Processor modelDiffers	i7-5600U	i7-4720HQ
Processor coresDiffers	2	4
Processor threadsDiffers	4	8
Processor boost frequencyDiffers	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz
Processor frequency	2.6 GHz	2.6 GHz
System bus rate	5 GT/s	5 GT/s
Processor cacheDiffers	4 MB	6 MB
Processor cache type	L3	L3
Processor socketDiffers	BGA 1168	BGA 1364
Processor lithographyDiffers	14 nm	22 nm
Processor operating modesDiffers	32-bit, 64-bit	64-bit
Processor seriesDiffers	Intel Core i7-5600 Mobile Series	Intel Core i7-4700 Mobile series
Processor codenameDiffers	Broadwell	Haswell
Bus type	DMI2	DMI2
FSB Parity	No	No
SteppingDiffers	F0	C0
Thermal Design Power (TDP)Differs	15 W	47 W
Configurable TDP-downKnown for one	7.5 W	Unknown — not stated by the source
Configurable TDP-down frequencyKnown for one	0.6 GHz	Unknown — not stated by the source
TjunctionDiffers	105 °C	100 °C
Maximum number of PCI Express lanesDiffers	12	16
PCI Express configurationsDiffers	4x1, 2x4	1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4
PCI Express slots versionDiffers	2.0	3.0
ECC supported by processor	No	No
Memory1 differ
Internal memoryDiffers	8 GB	16 GB
Internal memory type	DDR3L-SDRAM	DDR3L-SDRAM
Memory clock speed	1600 MHz	1600 MHz
Memory form factor	SO-DIMM	SO-DIMM
Memory layout (slots x size)Known for one	1 x 8 GB	Unknown — not stated by the source
Memory slots	2x SO-DIMM	2x SO-DIMM
Maximum internal memory	16 GB	16 GB
Maximum internal memory (64-bit)Known for one	16 GB	Unknown — not stated by the source
Storage2 differ
Total storage capacity	256 GB	256 GB
Storage media	SSD	SSD
Number of SSDs installedKnown for one	1	Unknown — not stated by the source
SSD capacity	256 GB	256 GB
SSD interfaceDiffers	SATA III	mSATA
Optical drive type	No	No
Card reader integrated	Yes	Yes
Compatible memory cardsDiffers	MMC, SD, SDHC, SDXC	SD, SDHC, SDXC
Number of HDDs installedKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	0
Graphics6 differ
On-board graphics card	Yes	Yes
Discrete graphics card	No	No
Discrete graphics card model	Not available	Not available
On-board graphics card family	Intel® HD Graphics	Intel® HD Graphics
On-board graphics card modelDiffers	Intel® HD Graphics 5500	Intel® HD Graphics 4600
Maximum on-board graphics card memoryDiffers	16 GB	1.74 GB
On-board graphics card base frequencyDiffers	300 MHz	400 MHz
On-board graphics card dynamic frequency (max)Differs	950 MHz	1200 MHz
On-board graphics card DirectX versionDiffers	11.2	11.2/12
On-board graphics card IDDiffers	0x1616	0x416
Maximum resolutionKnown for one	3840 x 2160 pixels	Unknown — not stated by the source
Graphics card Open GL supportKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
On-board graphics card OpenGL versionKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	4.3
Audio2 differ
Audio systemDiffers	Dolby Home Theater, Advanced Audio	Sound Blaster Cinema 2
Number of built-in speakers	2	2
Speaker powerDiffers	1 W	4 W
Built-in microphone	Yes	Yes
Cameraidentical
Front camera	Yes	Yes
Front camera resolutionKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1280 x 720 pixels
Video capturing speedKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	30 fps
Optical driveidentical
LightScribe	No	No
Network1 differ
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi standards	802.11a, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 802.11b, 802.11g, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)	802.11a, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 802.11b, 802.11g, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Ethernet LAN	Yes	Yes
Ethernet LAN data ratesDiffers	10,100,1000 Mbit/s	10,1000,100 Mbit/s
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth versionKnown for one	4.0	Unknown — not stated by the source
Top Wi-Fi standardKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Ports & interfaces3 differ
USB 2.0 ports quantity	0	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Type-A ports quantityDiffers	3	2
Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) ports	1	1
HDMI ports quantityDiffers	0	1
DisplayPorts quantity	0	0
Mini DisplayPorts quantityKnown for one	1	Unknown — not stated by the source
DVI port	No	No
VGA (D-Sub) ports quantityDiffers	1	0
Thunderbolt ports quantity	0	0
S/PDIF out port	No	No
Combo headphone/mic portKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Docking connector	Yes	Yes
ExpressCard slot	No	No
CardBus PCMCIA slots quantity	0	0
CardBus PCMCIA slot type	No	No
SmartCard slot	No	No
USB Sleep-and-ChargeKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
USB Sleep-and-Charge portsKnown for one	1	Unknown — not stated by the source
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Type-C ports quantityKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Type-A ports quantityKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Type-C ports quantityKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	0
HDMI versionKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1.4b
Headphone outputsKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1
Line-inKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	No
Microphone inKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Performance1 differ
Motherboard chipsetDiffers	Intel SoC	Intel® HM87
Keyboard2 differ
Pointing deviceDiffers	ThinkPad UltraNav	Touchpad
Keyboard backlit	Yes	Yes
Numeric keypadDiffers	Yes	No
Island-style keyboardKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Spill-resistant keyboardKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Windows keys	Yes	Yes
Software1 differ
Operating system installedDiffers	Windows 7 Professional	Windows 8.1
Operating system architecture	64-bit	64-bit
Processor special features12 differ
Intel® Wireless Display (Intel® WiDi)	Yes	Yes
CPU configuration (max)	1	1
Embedded options available	No	No
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology	Yes	Yes
Execute Disable Bit	Yes	Yes
Graphics & IMC lithographyKnown for one	14 nm	Unknown — not stated by the source
Idle States	Yes	Yes
Intel 64	Yes	Yes
Intel Clear Video TechnologyDiffers	Yes	No
Intel Demand Based Switching	No	No
Intel Dual Display Capable Technology	No	No
Intel Enhanced Halt State	Yes	Yes
Intel FDI Technology	Yes	Yes
Intel Fast Memory AccessDiffers	Yes	No
Intel Flex Memory AccessDiffers	Yes	No
Intel Identity Protection Technology version	1.00	1.00
Intel Rapid Storage Technology	No	No
Intel Secure Key Technology version	1.00	1.00
Intel Small Business Advantage (SBA) versionKnown for one	1.00	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel Smart Response Technology versionKnown for one	1.00	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP)Known for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP) versionKnown for one	1.00	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel TSX-NIDiffers	Yes	No
Intel TSX-NI versionDiffers	1.00	0.00
Intel Trusted Execution TechnologyDiffers	Yes	No
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)	Yes	Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)	Yes	Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)	Yes	Yes
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI)	Yes	Yes
Intel® Anti-Theft Technology (Intel® AT)Differs	No	Yes
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology (Intel® CVT HD)	Yes	Yes
Intel® Clear Video Technology for Mobile Internet Devices (Intel CVT for MID)Differs	Yes	No
Intel® Hyper Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology)	Yes	Yes
Intel® Identity Protection Technology (Intel® IPT)	Yes	Yes
Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology	Yes	Yes
Intel® Insider™	Yes	Yes
Intel® My WiFi Technology (Intel® MWT)	No	No
Intel® OS GuardKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel® Quick Sync Video Technology	Yes	Yes
Intel® Secure Key	Yes	Yes
Intel® Small Business Advantage (Intel® SBA)Known for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel® Smart Cache	Yes	Yes
Intel® Smart Response TechnologyKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel® Turbo Boost TechnologyDiffers	2.0	No
Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT)Known for one	VT-d, VT-x	Unknown — not stated by the source
Processor ARK IDDiffers	85215	78934
Processor codeDiffers	SR23V	SR1Q8
Processor package sizeDiffers	40 x 24 x 1.3 mm	37.5 x 32 x 1.6 mm
Supported instruction sets	AVX 2.0, SSE4.1, SSE4.2	AVX 2.0, SSE4.1, SSE4.2
Thermal Monitoring Technologies	Yes	Yes
Conflict-Free processor	Yes	Yes
Battery1 differ
Battery technology	Lithium Polymer (LiPo)	Lithium Polymer (LiPo)
Number of battery cellsDiffers	3+3	4
Battery life (max)Known for one	14.8 h	Unknown — not stated by the source
Battery capacityKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	47.36 Wh
Power1 differ
AC adapter powerDiffers	45 W	65 W
DC-in jack	Yes	Yes
AC adapter frequencyKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	50 - 60 Hz
Security1 differ
Cable lock slotDiffers	Yes	No
Fingerprint readerKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)Known for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Password protectionKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Password protection typeKnown for one	HDD, Power on, Supervisor	Unknown — not stated by the source
Certificatesidentical
Compliance certificatesKnown for one	RoHS	Unknown — not stated by the source
CertificationKnown for one	GREENGUARD	Unknown — not stated by the source
Sustainabilityidentical
Sustainability certificatesKnown for one	EPEAT Gold, ENERGY STAR	Unknown — not stated by the source
Weight & dimensions4 differ
WeightDiffers	2.13 kg	1.2 kg
WidthDiffers	380.6 mm	320 mm
DepthDiffers	258.2 mm	227 mm
HeightDiffers	22.4 mm	19.8 mm
Packaging contentidentical
AC adapter included	Yes	Yes
Power cord includedKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Docking station includedKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
ManualKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Other featuresidentical
Intel segment taggingKnown for one	Home office, Small Business	Unknown — not stated by the source
3DKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	No
Docking stationidentical
Docking station connecting interfaceKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	PCI Express x16 (Gen 3)
Docking station graphics card modelKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 970
Docking station graphics card memoryKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	4 TB
Docking station built-in speakersKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Docking station audio output channelsKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	2.1
Docking station speakers RMS powerKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	10 W
Docking station subwoofer RMS powerKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	5 W
Docking station Ethernet LANKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Docking station USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) ports quantityKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	4
Docking station mini DisplayPortKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	No
Docking station headphone outKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Docking station microphone inKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Docking station power connectorKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	24-pin
Docking station power supplyKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	450 W
Docking station LAN controllerKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Killer Gb LAN
Docking station supported HDD sizeKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	3.5"

A dash means the value is not stated by the source. Unknown values are never counted for or against a product, and there is no overall score.

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