MSI Cyborg 17 Review

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Main Features

Launched in July 2025

Display:17.3" IPS LCD, 16:9 Aspect Ratio

Max Brightness: 300 nits

External Dimensions: 399.3 x 258 x 21.2-22.2 mm (15.72 x 10.16 x 0.83-0.87 inches)

Weight: 2.5 kg (5.51 lbs)

Operating System: Windows

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MSI Cyborg 17 Overview

SCORING

Performance

Size

Display

Gaming

Connectivity

Launched in July 2025, MSI Cyborg 17 is a Windows laptop with 17.3-inch display and 16:9 aspect ratio. It has the external dimensions of 399.3 x 258 x 21.2-22.2 mm (15.72 x 10.16 x 0.83-0.87 inches) and weighs 2.5 kg (5.51 lbs).

Click for Available Configurations of the
MSI Cyborg 17

Cyborg 17 is a member of MSI's series of laptops. Below you can find the latest models from this series.

MSI Series History

Model	Release Date	Screen Size	Weight
MSI Cyborg 15 2025 Compare	July 2025	15.6"	2.1 kg (4.63 lbs)
MSI Cyborg 17	July 2025	17.3"	2.5 kg (5.51 lbs)
MSI Cyborg A15 AI Compare	July 2025	15.6"	2.1 kg (4.63 lbs)
MSI Cyborg A17 AI Compare	July 2025	17.3"	2.5 kg (5.51 lbs)
MSI Titan 18 HX AI 2025 Compare	January 2025	18.0"	3.6 kg (7.94 lbs)
MSI Raider 18 HX AI 2025 Compare	January 2025	18.0"	3.6 kg (7.94 lbs)
MSI Vector A18 HX 2025 Compare	January 2025	18.0"	3.6 kg (7.94 lbs)
MSI Vector 17 HX AI 2025 A2XWJ Compare	January 2025	17.0"	3 kg (6.62 lbs)

MSI Cyborg 17 PROs and CONs

Now let's get in to more details of our MSI Cyborg 17 review by analyzing its specs and features and listing out its pros and cons compared to average competitor laptop in its class.

PROs

Recent Model (July 2025)

High Screen to Body ratio of ~80.1%

Thin bezels around the screen

Large Display Size

High Refresh Rate of 144 Hz

Matte Screen reduces reflections

5 nm GPU Fabrication Process

8.6 TFLOPS GPU

Dedicated GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop 8GB GPU

Fast Charging Feature

DDR5 Type RAM

Max RAM Size of 96 GB

Upgradable RAM

PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x) RAM

Upgradable Storage

NVMe Type SSD Storage

Wi-fi v6E

2x USB 3.2 USB-A Ports

1x USB 3.2 USB Type C Ports

HDMI Port

HDMI 2.1 supports higher refresh rates and resolutions

RJ45 Ethernet Port

Numeric/Number Pad

Keyboard Backlight

CONs

Heavy at 2.5 kg (5.51 lbs)

1280 x 720 Webcam Resolution

No Built-in SD Card Reader

Body and Dimensions

The weight and external dimensions are two of the most important factors determining the physical portability of a laptop. Below you can find the external physical features of the MSI Cyborg 17:

Physical Specs
Dimensions	399.3 x 258 x 21.2-22.2 mm
	15.72 x 10.16 x 0.83-0.87 inches
Weight	2.5 kg (5.51 lbs)
Surface Area	1030 cm2 (159.7 inches2)
Screen to Surface Ratio	~80.1%
Side Bezel Thickness	~8.2 mm
Weight per Inch of Screen	0.14 kg/inch
	0.308 lbs/inch
Colors	Black

Weight
The MSI Cyborg 17 weighs 2.50 kg / 5.51 lbs. Considering that average weight of the laptops with display size 'larger than 17.0 inches' in our database is 2.78 kg, it will be fair to say that the MSI Cyborg 17 is a light laptop for its size class.

Weight Comparison

Display size : larger than 17.0 inches

MSI Cyborg 17

MIN

AVERAGE

MAX

Another value that we use for comparing the weights of the laptops here at Laptop Decision is the Weight per Inch of Screen, which is calculated by dividing the total weight of the model with its usable diagonal screen size. This value for the MSI Cyborg 17 is 0.14 kg/inch. Here are some of the best performing laptops in this area:

LG Gram 17 2022: 0.08 kg/inch (Compare)
LG Gram Pro 17: 0.08 kg/inch (Compare)
LG Gram 17 2024: 0.08 kg/inch (Compare)
LG Gram 17 2025: 0.08 kg/inch (Compare)
LG Gram 17 2023: 0.09 kg/inch (Compare)

Body Thickness
Thickness of the MSI Cyborg 17 is 21.2-22.2 mm. Considering that average thickness of the laptops with display size 'larger than 17.0 inches' in our database is 24.49 mm, it will be accurate to say that the MSI Cyborg 17 is a slim laptop for its class.

Thickness Comparison

Display size : larger than 17.0 inches

MSI Cyborg 17

MIN

AVERAGE

MAX

Side Bezels and Screen-to-Body Ratio
The average Side Bezel Thickness of the MSI Cyborg 17 is 8.2 mm and the Screen to Body Ratio is 80.1%. These figures show that MSI did a good job utilizing the surface area of this laptop even though there are laptops that are better in this regard.

Display

MSI Cyborg 17 features a 17.3-inch sized IPS LCD type display with 144 Hz refresh rate and 127 ppi pixel density.

Display Specifications
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Display Size	17.3 inches
Display Type	IPS LCD
Refresh Rate	144 Hz
PPI	127 ppi

Pixel Density / PPI

Below is a chart depicting how 127 ppi pixel density of the MSI Cyborg 17 compares with the Min, Max and Average densities in its display size class (larger than 17.0 inches).

Screen PPI (Pixels Per Inch) Comparison

Display size : larger than 17.0 inches

MSI Cyborg 17

MIN

AVERAGE

MAX

Refresh rates over 120Hz offers smooth motion on screen, especially handy for games with high refresh rates, making this an ideal screen for gaming. For even better performance, check the laptops with refresh rates over 240Hz.

CPU

MSI Cyborg 17 has 3 different CPU configurations. The current setup we are reviewing is the Intel Core 5 210H.

Intel Core 5 210H is an Intel Core 2xx processor, offering good performance for everyday computing tasks. For the latest features and performance, consider Ultra series processors.

CPU Specifications
CPU Name	Intel Core 5 210H Intel Core 7 240H Intel Core 9 270H
Base Frequency	2.2 GHz
Turbo Frequency	4.8 GHz
Number of Cores	8 (4P + 4E)
Number of Threads	12
L3 Cache	12 MB
Integrated GPU	Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48EU)
CPU Fabrication Process	10 nm

You may also read reviews of latest laptops with the same CPU ( Intel Core 5 210H ) and compare them:

GPU

MSI Cyborg 17 has 2 different GPU configurations. The current setup we are reviewing is the GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop 8GB. This is a Dedicated type GPU with 8.60 TFLOPS floating point performance and has a 8 GB dedicated memory. Dedicated GPUs generally perform much faster than Integrated GPUs, and are more suitable for graphic heavy applications such as video editing, AI and gaming. Downsides are increased energy consumption and higher costs.

GPU Specifications
GPU Name	GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop 8GB GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop 8GB
TGP (Total Graphics Power)	45 W
Nvidia Optimus	Yes, Advanced Optimus
Type	Dedicated
FLOPS	8.6 TFLOPS
Memory Size	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR7
Memory Bus	128 bit
Memory Speed	~24 Gbps
Shading Units Cores	2560
Texture Mapping Units / TMUs	80
Raster Operations Pipelines / ROPs	32

FLOPS Comparison

Display size : larger than 17.0 inches

Average

Max

Here are some of the best performing laptops in this area:

Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 10 2025 with GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop 24GB: 51.40 TFLOPS (Compare)
Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 with GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop 24GB: 51.40 TFLOPS (Compare)
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI 2025 with GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop 24GB: 51.40 TFLOPS (Compare)
MSI Vector 17 HX AI 2025 A2XWJ with GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop 24GB: 51.40 TFLOPS (Compare)
MSI Raider 18 HX AI 2025 with GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop 24GB: 51.40 TFLOPS (Compare)

RAM

MSI Cyborg 17 comes with 4 RAM options: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 96GB. The current setup we are reviewing is the 16GB.The RAM on the MSI Cyborg 17 is Upgradable (96 GB Max) which is a big plus, you can choose to purchase a version with lower RAM size and upgrade in the future if it becomes a necessity.The RAM type of the MSI Cyborg 17 is DDR5, whereas the latest type in the market is DDR5.DDR5 type RAMs provide speeds of at least 4800 MHz, whereas the previous generation supports a maximum of 3200 MHz.

RAM Specifications
RAM	16GB 32GB 64GB 96GB
Channels	2x8 GB
Clock	5600 MHz
Type	DDR5 (latest)
Upgradable	Yes
Max Ram Size	96 GB
Total Slots	2
Bus	PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x)

LOCAL LLM Compatibility Evaluation

This quick guide shows what types of large language models (LLMs) this laptop could support, based on its hardware specifications. It's meant to help you decide whether it's suitable for running AI models locally.

Selected Configuration:
CPU/NPU: Intel Core 5 210H (No NPU)RAM: 16 GBGPU: GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop 8GB

Small Models(1-3B):Examples: Phi-2, Qwen-1.8B

✔ Expected performance: "Runs Well"
2B model with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~2.5 GB memory - fits in your 8 GB VRAM
(See performance table below for details)

Medium Models(7-8B):Examples: Mistral-7B, Qwen-7B

✔ Expected performance: "Runs Well"
7B model with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~5.3 GB memory - fits in your 8 GB VRAM
(See performance table below for details)

Large Models(13-30B):Examples: Llama 3 14B, Qwen1.5 14B, Dense 30B

Your system: 8 GB VRAM, ~6.5 GB available for models, 1.5 GB reserved for GPU overhead

13-15B Models (e.g., Llama 3 14B, Qwen1.5 14B)

⚠ Expected performance: "Modest Speed"

14B with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~10 GB memory - doesn't fit in 8 GB VRAM, spills to RAM (VRAM + RAM, slower)
Breakdown: 8 GB VRAM - 1.5 GB (GPU overhead) = ~6.5 GB available, but model needs ~10 GB
(Partial GPU offload - expect 5-30x or more slower performance (depends on spill amount))
Recommend 7-8B models for smooth performance, or GPU with more VRAM.

16-24B Models (e.g., Dense 20B Q4 ~15.5GB)

(13-15B models are already borderline, so expect lower performance for larger models)

⚠ Expected performance: "Borderline / Slow"

20B with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~15.5 GB memory - doesn't fit in 8 GB VRAM, spills to RAM (VRAM + RAM, slower)
Breakdown: 8 GB VRAM - 1.5 GB (GPU overhead) = ~6.5 GB available, but model needs ~15.5 GB
(Partial GPU offload - expect 5-30x or more slower performance (depends on spill amount))
Recommend 7-8B models for smooth performance, or GPU with more VRAM.

24-30B Models (e.g., Dense 30B Q4)

(13-15B models are already borderline, so expect lower performance for larger models)

⚠ Expected performance: "Borderline / Slow"

30B with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~21 GB memory - doesn't fit in 8 GB VRAM
Breakdown: 8 GB VRAM - 1.5 GB (GPU overhead) = ~6.5 GB available, but model needs ~21 GB
Q3 fallback available (~17.5 GB) - spills to RAM (VRAM + RAM, slower)
(Partial GPU offload - expect 5-30x or more slower performance (depends on spill amount))
Recommend 7-8B models for smooth performance, or GPU with more VRAM.

MoE Models (Mixture-of-Experts) (e.g., Mixtral 8x7B - total ~47B, active ~12-13B)

✖ Not Practical

Mixtral 8x7B (≈47B total, ≈12–13B active) with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~23 GB memory - doesn't fit
Breakdown: 8 GB VRAM - 1.5 GB (GPU overhead) = ~6.5 GB available, but model needs ~23 GB
Mixtral 8x7B (≈47B total, ≈12–13B active) Q3: ~19.5 GB - doesn't fit
(Insufficient memory for this model)
Recommend 7-8B models for better performance, or hardware upgrade.

Extra-Large Models(65B+):Examples: LLaMA2-70B, Qwen1.5-72B

✖ Not practical on laptops.

Note: Optimized (e.g., 4-bit) models may run on limited hardware. Performance depends on runtime and setup.

📌 Model Types: Dense 30B Q4 models typically require around 19–22 GB of total VRAM, so they run best on systems with ≥24 GB VRAM. MoE models like Mixtral 8x7B (≈47B total parameters, usually ≈23–26 GB in 4-bit) also need high memory because all experts must be loaded, even though only a few are active per token. They reduce compute cost per token (similar to a ~12–13B dense model), but not memory usage, so they are not practical on 14–16 GB systems.

🚀 Modern NPU (Neural Processing Unit): Modern processors like AMD Ryzen AI and Intel Core Ultra feature NPU and unified memory architecture. NPUs provide modest performance gains (0-30% faster) with better power efficiency compared to iGPU-only execution. Real-world tests show ~3-10 tok/s range on 13B models with 32GB RAM (varies by runtime, quantization, and context), comparable to iGPU but more power-efficient. Note: These figures are examples from various NPU systems; actual performance depends on your specific hardware configuration.

Understanding Performance Categories

The performance descriptions use general categories because actual speed varies greatly based on your specific hardware, model optimization, context length, and runtime software.

Performance Level	Typical Range	User Experience
Runs Smoothly (High-end dGPU)	50+ tok/s	Real-time response. Feels instant, like ChatGPT.
Runs Well (Mid-range dGPU)	20-50 tok/s	Good interactive performance. Slight delay, but usable.
Modest Speed (iGPU/NPU/CPU)	5-20 tok/s	Usable for tasks that don't need instant responses. Noticeable typing delay.
Borderline / Slow (Limited hardware)	2-5 tok/s	Very slow. Patience required. Better for batch processing.
Not Practical	<2 tok/s	Too slow for regular use. May cause system hangs or instability.

💡 Tip: Your actual results may be higher or lower than these ranges. Test with your specific hardware to know for sure!

⚠️ Note: Performance categorization is based on VRAM capacity and RAM fallback status. GPU type (memory bandwidth, compute power) can also affect actual performance. Currently, we prioritize whether the model fits in VRAM or requires RAM fallback for classification. We may refine this categorization in future updates based on more detailed benchmarks.

BATTERY

MSI Cyborg 17's Li-Po battery has a capacity of 55.2 Wh is under average, which may cause lack of mobility. Please note that even though the battery capacity gives you an idea about potential battery life, it is not the only indicator of unplugged run time of the laptop, but impacted also by factors such as your laptop's configuration, screen brightness and number & types of apps that you are running simultaneously.

Battery Comparison

Display size : larger than 17.0 inches

MSI Cyborg 17

MIN

AVERAGE

MAX

Battery Specifications
Capacity	55.2 Wh
Battery Type	Li-Po
Replaceable	No
Fast Charging	Yes
Charging Port Position	Right
Charge Power	120 W

MSI Cyborg 17's battery is not replaceable but we can't hold it against this model as this has been the general trend in the laptop world for a long time.
MSI Cyborg 17 supports fast charging which lets the user charge the laptop in a shorter time than normal.

STORAGE

MSI Cyborg 17 comes at least with a SSD (M2) type 1x512 GB storage as standard. More storage is always good, but it comes with a price.Fortunately, the storage on the MSI Cyborg 17 is Upgradable so you can upgrade it with a larger storage when needed.The NVMe SSD used in the MSI Cyborg 17 can achieve up to 3.5 GB/s speed whereas older SATA SSDs could only reach speeds of up to 550 MB/s.

Storage Specifications
Upgradable	Yes
Total Slots	1
Type	SSD (M2)
NVMe	Yes

SOUND

Good quality speakers can have a significant impact on the overall experience when using laptops, especially if you are consuming a lot of multimedia material such as music or videos. The MSI Cyborg 17 features a 2.0 speaker set up. The total power of this set up is 2x2W.

Sound Specifications
Speakers Setup	2.0
Speaker Power	2x2W
Dolby Atmos	No
Microphones	2

The number and quality of the built-in microphones are as important especially in this age of online meetings and streaming.

CONNECTIVITY and PORTS

MSI Cyborg 17 has the Wifi Standard (v6E) which provides nearly (theoretical 9.6 Gbps - 1200 MB/s, real world up to 5 Gbps - 625 MB/s) speed, which is 25% better than V6.
On the other hand, the latest WiFi v7 standard supports 40 GB/s and provides speeds up to 2.4 times faster than the previous v6 setup. Laptops with WiFi v7 appeared in the market as of the end of 2023.

The Bluetooth Standard of the MSI Cyborg 17 is v5.3, which is not the latest generation.As the version number increases within the Bluetooth V5.x series, sub-generations also progress. Although the range and speeds remain consistent, advancements in energy efficiency, reliability, and security features are introduced in subsequent sub-generations.

Connectivity
WiFi Standard	v6E (latest: v7)
Bluetooth	v5.3 (latest: v5.4)
Fingerprint Sensor	No
Optical Drive	No

Below, you'll find a Wi-Fi Versions Table, along with their release dates and speeds, to provide a brief overview of its development.

Wi-Fi Versions and Speeds

Standard	Speed	Release Date	Network	Frequency Bands (GHz)
Wi-Fi 7	up to 40 Gbps (5 GB/s)	2023	802.11be	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6E	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2020	802.11ax	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2019	802.11ax	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 5	up to 6.93 Gbps (866.25 MB/s)	2014	802.11ac	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 4	up to 600 Mbps (75 MB/s)	2009	802.11n	2.4, 5

* Please note that the provided transfer rates are maximum theoretical values, and real-life performance may vary based on environmental factors.

Below, you'll find a comparison table detailing Bluetooth versions since 2010, including their features, speed, range, IoT support, and release years. This information can be helpful in understanding the evolution of Bluetooth technology and its capabilities over the years.

Bluetooth Versions and Features Since 2010

Version	Speed (Mbps)	Range (Open Area)	Year	Features	IoT Support
v5.4	2	200 m	2023	PAwR, advanced security	Yes
v5.3	2	200 m	2021	Connection and security enhancements	Yes
v5.2	2	200 m	2020	LE Audio, efficiency and communication quality	Yes
v5.1	2	200 m	2019	Precise device positioning	Yes
v5.0	2	200 m	2016	Extended range and speed	Yes
v4.2	1	100 m	2014	Internet connectivity, security improvements	Yes
v4.1	1	100 m	2013	Improved device connectivity	Yes
v4.0	1	100 m	2010	Low Energy mode	Yes

* Please note that in the Bluetooth 5.x series, there hasn't been a significant increase in range and data speed. However, each new version has brought significant technological improvements in areas such as security, energy efficiency, and IoT support.

MSI Cyborg 17 equipped with 2x USB 3.2 USB-A ports and 1x USB 3.2 Type-C ports.

USB-A ports of the 'MSI Cyborg 17 are the latest generation. The maximum speed of USB-A 3.2 (latest generation) port is 20 GB/s.

USB-TypeC ports of the MSI Cyborg 17 are not the latest generation. The latest generation USB4 2.0 provides 80 and 120 Gbit/s speeds.

MSI Cyborg 17 has the latest generation HDMI connection.HDMI 2.1, the latest version since 2017, offers significant upgrades such as support for up to 10K at 120 Hz, Dynamic HDR, and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC). Compared to HDMI 2.0's maximum 18.0 Gbit/s bandwidth, HDMI 2.1 provides increased bandwidth for more advanced features, surpassing its predecessor.

Ports
USB-A	2x USB 3.2 (latest)
USB Type-C	1x USB 3.2 (latest: USB4 2.0)
Thunderbolt	No
HDMI	1x HDMI 2.1 (latest)
Display Port	No
VGA	No
Audio Jack 3.5mm	Yes
Ethernet RJ45	Yes
SD CardReader	No
Proprietary Charging Port	Yes

Below, you'll find a table of USB ports, along with their release dates and speeds.
To mitigate the confusion caused by generation names, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) suggests using marketing names like USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, and so forth, based on their respective transfer rates.

USB Type and Speeds

USB Type	Version	Speed	Date	Other Features/Explanations
USB4	Gen 4 (2.0)	80 Gbps	2022	Also known as USB 80Gbps
USB4	Gen 3×2	40 Gbps	2019	Also known as USB 40Gbps
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2x2	20 Gbps	2019	Double the data transfer rates of Gen 2
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.1
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.0
USB 3.1	3.1 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2013	Faster data transfer rates
USB 3.0	3.1 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2010	SuperSpeed USB, improved data transfer rates
USB 2.0	2.0	480 Mbps	2000	High-speed data transfer
USB 1.0	1.0	1.5 Mbps	1996	Original USB standard

Below, you'll find a comparison table detailing different HDMI versions, including their bandwidth, color depth, maximum resolution, and release dates. This information can be helpful in understanding the capabilities of each HDMI version and choosing the most suitable one for your needs.

HDMI Comparison Table

HDMI Version	Maximum Resolution	Bandwidth (Gbps)	Color Depth (bits)	Release Date
HDMI 2.1-2.1b	7680 x 4320 *(8K)* @ 60p 3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 120p	48.0	48	2017
HDMI 2.0-2.0b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 60p	18.0	48	2013
HDMI 1.4-1.4b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 30p	10.2	48	2009
HDMI 1.3-1.3a	2560 x 1440 @ 60p	10.2	48	2006
HDMI 1.0-1.2a	1920 x 1200 @ 60p	4.95	24	2002

* Please note that the provided resolution values represent the maximum supported resolution, and actual display quality may depend on other factors such as source content and connected devices.

WEBCAM

MSI Cyborg 17 has 0.92 MP front camera resulting poor quality for video conferencing.

Webcamera Specs
Webcam	Above the display
Webcam Resolution	1280 x 720
	0.92 MP

KEYBOARD and TOUCHPAD

MSI Cyborg 17 has Island type keyboard, which is used on majority of recent laptops.

Keyboard and Touchpad
Keyboard Type	Island
Numpad	Yes
Backlight	Yes
Touchpad Surface Material	Plastic
Windows Precision	Yes

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Most Popular Alternatives to MSI Cyborg 17

Here are the 8 laptops that our readers compare the most with the MSI Cyborg 17:

Model	Release Date	Screen Size	Weight
Dell Alienware 16 Aurora Compare	May 2025	16.0"	2.49 kg (5.49 lbs)
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI 2025 Compare	January 2025	18.0"	3.1 kg (6.84 lbs)
MSI Katana 15 2025 Compare	January 2025	15.6"	2.4 kg (5.29 lbs)
Microsoft Surface Pro 12 Compare	May 2025	12.0"	0.68 kg (1.5 lbs)
MSI Vector A18 HX 2025 Compare	January 2025	18.0"	3.6 kg (7.94 lbs)
MSI Cyborg A17 AI Compare	July 2025	17.3"	2.5 kg (5.51 lbs)
MSI Raider 18 HX AI 2025 Compare	January 2025	18.0"	3.6 kg (7.94 lbs)
Microsoft Surface Go 4 Compare	October 2023	10.5"	0.52 kg (1.15 lbs)