The ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers robust gaming capabilities with a dedicated graphics card and is well-suited for 3D rendering and machine learning applications, but it is less portable than the MSI Prestige 16 and has shorter battery life. The MSI Prestige 16, while not as gaming-focused, boasts double the RAM for multitasking and engineering tasks, superior battery life, and a slightly lighter build which enhances portability, but it relies on integrated graphics which are less suitable for intensive gaming or very demanding graphical tasks. Both have high-quality displays with similar resolution and refresh rates, and both come with a substantial amount of storage. Consider the ASUS if gaming and graphics are primary concerns, or the MSI if productivity, portability, and battery longevity are your priorities. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X16
Good for gaming and AI
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 16
Very good for software development
Good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
6.7/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Prestige 16 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 stands out for gaming and 3D with its powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card and a high screen refresh rate, enhancing fast-moving visuals and detailed graphics. Comparatively, the MSI Prestige 16 has an Intel Iris Xe integrated GPU and matches the screen refresh rate, but may not perform as well in graphically intensive tasks despite its good screen quality and capable CPU.
Screen Quality
8.5/10
8.3/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
502.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 16 for gaming and AI, while the MSI Prestige 16 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, both the ASUS ROG Flow X16 and the MSI Prestige 16 feature high-resolution displays with vivid colors and good brightness levels, making them suitable for everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and document editing. These laptops also benefit engineering and design professionals with their wide color gamut coverage, ensuring accurate color representation crucial for tasks like photo editing and graphic design. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on these screens may not provide the smoothest experience, which is more desirable on screens with higher refresh rates.
Battery
5.5 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 16 has 7.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.4/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has very good build quality, while the MSI Prestige 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,300
$1,611
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a price of $1,300 and the MSI Prestige 16 costs $1,611.
The MSI Prestige 16 and ASUS ROG Flow X16 are both very good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16, with its convertible touchscreen, gaming-grade GPU, and substantial battery, is well-suited for versatile use and casual gaming but has a shorter battery life for general tasks. The MSI Prestige 16, despite lacking a dedicated GPU suitable for intensive gaming, offers more RAM and a newer CPU, which along with its lightweight design and longer battery life, makes it very good for productivity and general use, especially for users who prioritize portability and extended unplugged usage.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
8.2/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and MSI Prestige 16 are both very good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.0/10
8.3/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 16 and ASUS ROG Flow X16 are both very good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.7/10
8.1/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 16 to be very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 16 and ASUS ROG Flow X16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS ROG Flow X16 and the MSI Prestige 16 compare to other laptops
"Above all else, the Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing - versatile! It is a thin, mobile work device, it's a 2-in-1, tablet, a powerful workstation and even a gaming PC. But something even more surprising: It does all of these things really well without making any big blunders. It's anything but a lazy compromise. Because, despite its compact dimensions and 2-in-1 functionality, the hardware isn't throttled and boasts, at least in turbo mode, above-average performance."
"The MSI Prestige 16 Evo: 2023's best value 16” thin & light laptop with i7-13700H. One of the top choices for professionals and students seeking a high-performance, portable computing solution in 2023. While the MSI Prestige 16 Evo A13M may not boast the most striking design compared to some other 16" options, its relatively "safe" styling lends itself well to professional and educational environments. Significantly, it doesn't compromise on essential features like port selection or cooling performance, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient thermal management. The 16 Evo A13M offers an excellent combination of performance, portability, and functionality, making it a compelling choice for professionals and students alike."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Flow X16 or the MSI Prestige 16
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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