The ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers better value if you're cost-conscious and prefer a balance of performance and portability for diverse tasks including gaming. However, the MSI Titan 18 HX is tailored for users needing top-tier performance for demanding work like 3D rendering or machine learning, accepting its high price and reduced portability due to its larger size and often shorter battery life. Choose the MSI if performance trumps all else and the ASUS if you seek a more versatile and travel-friendly laptop. 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 Titan 18 HX
Best in class for engineering and design
Excellent for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Excellent for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
502.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
7.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX and ASUS ROG Flow X16 are both very good for general use, though the MSI Titan 18 HX is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16, with its high-quality CPU and RAM, ensures smooth performance for daily tasks, and its superior screen quality, combined with good battery life, makes it ideal for portability, allowing you to work or enjoy media on the go. The MSI Titan 18 HX, while equally excellent in CPU and RAM, is less portable due to its size but offers an expansive screen and robust performance for more demanding applications, making it a better fit for stationary use where power outlets are readily accessible.
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
9.4/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers a solid GPU and high screen refresh rate making it suitable for gaming and 3D applications, but the MSI Titan 18 HX, with a more powerful GPU and equally high refresh rate, delivers superior performance for more demanding gaming and 3D tasks. While both have capable CPUs and good screen quality, the MSI's graphics capabilities outshine the Asus, providing a smoother and more immersive experience for the most intensive uses.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
9.9/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers a balance of power and portability, with a high-quality screen and sufficient CPU, RAM, and GPU capabilities necessary for engineering tasks, its compact size may appeal to those who move around frequently. On the other hand, the MSI Titan 18 HX, with its top-tier processing and graphics performance and larger display, excels in demanding engineering and design scenarios, but is less convenient for travel due to its size and weight.
Content Creation
8.0/10
9.0/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for content creation, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good.
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
8.9/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX 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
9.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
502.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Flow X16 for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If you prioritize a vivid and crisp display for everyday tasks and professional design work, the MSI Titan may suit you better with its superior resolution and brightness, ensuring sharp text and bright images. It also excels in color accuracy, which is crucial for engineering and design, covering a wider range of color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, providing more precise and vibrant colors for detailed work. However, for a smoother experience in 3D applications and gaming, the Asus with its higher refresh rate would be preferable, although it may not match the MSI's resolution and advanced color reproduction capabilities.
Battery
5.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX has 4 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.
Portability
Good
Poor
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has good portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,300
$4,800
$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 Titan 18 HX costs $4,800.
"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."
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Flow X16 or the MSI Titan 18 HX
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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