The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers robust performance for intensive engineering tasks, 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming due to its high-end CPU and GPU. Its larger screen and high refresh rates make it suitable for users who prioritize a fast and vibrant display. Its tradeoffs include less portability and a shorter battery life compared to the MSI Modern 14.
The MSI Modern 14 is more affordable and highly portable with a lighter design and longer battery life. Its performance is adequate for general use and business applications, but it falls short for gaming and demanding tasks due to lower processing power and integrated graphics. If you are on a budget and prioritize portability and battery life over high performance, the MSI is a suitable choice. 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 for gaming and AI
Good overall display quality
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
7.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
291.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is suited for general use due to its capable Intel i7 processor, ample 16GB RAM, and a high-quality IPS screen, but, with a larger 16-inch display and heavier build, is less portable and has a bulkier form factor than the MSI Modern 14, which offers portability with its lighter weight and smaller 14-inch screen, alongside a sufficient AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB RAM for everyday tasks, albeit with a lower battery capacity than the ASUS, which may limit prolonged use away from power sources.
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
6.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is superior for gaming and 3D tasks because it has a powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 165 Hz, enhancing performance and visual fluidity. In comparison, the MSI Modern 14 is equipped with a less potent integrated AMD Vega 7 GPU and a standard 60 Hz screen refresh rate, which provides an adequate but less immersive and smooth gaming experience.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
6.6/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
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
7.9/10
7.2/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for content creation, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
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
7.1/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for software development, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
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
7.5/10
6.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
291.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the MSI Modern 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When selecting the ASUS ROG Strix G16 for general use, the high resolution and brightness offer clear and vivid images, enhancing everyday tasks like browsing or watching videos. For engineering and design, its wide color gamuts ensure more accurate color representation, which is essential for detailed work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate might not provide as smooth an experience as dedicated gaming laptops, which can be a drawback for fast-paced visuals or professional 3D work.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 9 hours of battery life. The MSI Modern 14 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.
Portability
Fair
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 has very 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
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Modern 14 both have good build quality, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,374
$525
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a price of $1,374 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
Alexander Tozzi, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | October 2023
"The MSI Modern 14 is okay for school use. It's very compact, so it's easy to carry around. It has a sharp display, a spacious keyboard, and a reasonably large touchpad. Its Intel 13th Gen CPU and integrated graphics can handle general productivity tasks like text processing and web browsing; however, don't expect to do anything intensive like 3D modeling or physics simulations. Unfortunately, the battery lasts less than five hours of light use, and the display doesn't get bright enough to combat glare."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 or the MSI Modern 14
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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