If performance during intensive engineering tasks or 3D/machine learning is your priority, you would prefer the ASUS ROG Strix G16, which offers better performance but comes with a higher price and less portability due to its weight. The MSI Cyborg 15 is more budget-friendly and slightly more portable, but it has less RAM, which can limit its performance in demanding tasks. Both laptops offer similar gaming capabilities, but the ASUS has a higher refresh rate screen, which could enhance your gaming and overall visual experience. Battery life on the ASUS is also superior for longer use without charging, while the MSI will require more frequent access to a power source. 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 Strix G16
Very good for engineering and design
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Cyborg 15
Good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
7.2/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for gaming and AI, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is well-suited for gaming and 3D uses due to its powerful GPU and a high screen refresh rate, which results in smoother visuals during fast-paced action. Similarly, the MSI Cyborg 15 is also geared towards gaming and 3D graphics with the same high-performance GPU and a decent screen refresh rate, providing an immersive experience albeit with a slightly lower refresh rate than the ASUS.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
7.5/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is better suited for engineering and design primarily because it has more RAM and a higher-tier CPU, which improve multitasking and computation-heavy tasks, respectively, while also offering a higher resolution and color-accurate screen, crucial for design work. In contrast, the MSI Cyborg 15, despite having the same GPU, falls short with less RAM and a lower-tier CPU, and it has a lower screen resolution and color accuracy, but it gains an edge in portability and has a higher contrast screen.
Screen Quality
7.5/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
291.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the MSI Cyborg 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 stands out with its superior panel type, resolution, and brightness, offering a clear and vivid display that enhances everyday tasks such as browsing and video watching. In the realm of engineering and design, the G16 excels with a color range that covers broader gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation which is crucial for professionals working with visual content. However, for 3D and gaming, where fast-paced action benefits from higher refresh rates, the G16 falls short, leading to less fluid motion and potential motion blur compared to models with higher refresh rates.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 9 hours of battery life. The MSI Cyborg 15 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.
Portability
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.3 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Cyborg 15 has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
6.7/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has good build quality, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,374
$1,100
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a price of $1,374 and the MSI Cyborg 15 costs $1,100.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is well-suited for general use because of its larger screen with higher resolution and refresh rate, and more RAM, enhancing multitasking and media consumption, but it might be less portable and have a shorter battery life compared to the MSI Cyborg 15, which is lighter with a smaller footprint and better battery efficiency but comes with less RAM, potentially limiting performance with multiple applications open. Both laptops feature quality IPS displays and comparable CPUs and GPUs, indicating good general performance; however, the MSI may be preferred for those valuing portability and longer unplugged usage, while the ASUS could appeal to users looking for a better multitasking and viewing experience.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.5/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both 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
7.2/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for software development.
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.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the MSI Cyborg 15 compare to other laptops
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"The focus of the MSI Cyborg 15 lies on a compromise of performance, mobility, and power consumption. Due to the reduced performance settings, the CPU and GPU perform below their capabilities. Nonetheless, their computing power is still sufficient for FHD gaming at high to maximum settings even then. The power consumption, which is low for a gaming laptop, can be translated into a good battery life. Realistic values of 7 to 8 h are still possible, despite the relatively small battery capacity of 53.5 Wh. Unfortunately the USB-C port doesn't offer any support for Power Delivery, which would be a sensible feature in the case of the Cyborg."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 or the MSI Cyborg 15
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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