When choosing between laptops like the ASUS ROG Flow X16 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, consider how you'll use the laptop. The ASUS is generally less expensive and may have good performance for gaming and general use while maintaining some portability. The MSI, on the other hand, while pricier, typically offers superior performance for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering software. It might be less portable due to its size but often provides a larger screen and may have features geared towards professionals. Battery life can vary; high-performance laptops often have shorter battery life due to their powerful hardware. 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 portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
8.9/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16, with its high refresh rate display, caters well to gamers seeking smooth visuals, while its GPU supports a decent gaming and 3D experience. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, however, features a stronger GPU for more demanding gaming and 3D tasks, and while its screen refresh rate is also high, the overall screen quality further enhances visual fidelity, albeit typically at a higher price point.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
9.1/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers a robust blend of CPU power, ample RAM, and excellent GPU for engineering tasks, along with a high-quality screen for design work, but compromises slightly on portability due to its gaming focus. In contrast, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio provides superior CPU performance and even greater RAM, complemented by a top-tier GPU and screen resolution designed for precision in engineering and design, but is less portable and might have a louder operating noise when pushed to its limits.
Software Development
7.7/10
8.2/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is 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.
Screen Quality
8.5/10
8.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
502.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a better screen than the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio for general use, and engineering and design, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, both the ASUS ROG Flow X16 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio offer screens with high resolution and brightness, ensuring sharp, vivid displays that are easy on the eyes when browsing the web, watching videos or working with text documents. In the realm of engineering and design, these laptops boast wide color gamuts, accurately reproducing a broad range of colors which is crucial for tasks that demand color precision like photo editing or CAD work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their screens fall short due to lower refresh rates, which means they may not provide as smooth visuals during fast-paced activities that benefit from quicker screen updates.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,300
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a price of $1,300 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS ROG Flow X16 are both very good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both feature powerful CPUs and ample RAM, ensuring smooth performance for multitasking and most applications; high-quality screens deliver sharp visuals for multimedia and work. The ASUS offers greater portability and longer battery life for users on the go, while the MSI has a stronger focus on high-end tasks like 3D rendering or AI simulations, sacrificing some portability and battery efficiency in favor of raw power.
Content Creation
8.0/10
8.5/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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.
Battery
5.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has 6 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
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS ROG Flow X16 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Flow X16 or the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
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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