When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, consider that the ASUS will likely save you money and provide solid performance for gaming due to its gaming-centric design. If you need a more lightweight and sleek laptop for travel or presentations, the MSI may be worth the extra cost. It’s also tailored for creative professionals with powerful components suitable for 3D work, machine learning, or video editing, but this comes with higher expense. Battery life varies, but gaming laptops like the ASUS often trade battery longevity for more powerful hardware, while the MSI might offer better battery efficiency. 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
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has no clear advantages over the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio.
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
8.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
291.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is good.
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio delivers top performance for general use with a balance of strong CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen while maintaining reasonable portability and battery life. However, the ASUS ROG Strix G16, though slightly less impressive in screen quality and portability due to its gaming-oriented design, could still handle everyday tasks well with its robust CPU and enough RAM, potentially at a lower price point.
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
8.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with a high screen refresh rate and powerful GPU, provides a smooth and responsive gaming experience, while the larger screen and top-tier GPU of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio not only excel in gaming but are also well-suited for demanding 3D graphics work. Although both laptops have commendable CPUs and screen quality, the MSI edges out with its enhanced capabilities for heavy-duty tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
9.1/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.5/10
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 Strix G16 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers strong CPU and GPU performance suitable for engineering tasks, with a high-quality screen and ample RAM, but it may be less portable and have louder operating noise. In contrast, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio excels with top-tier CPU and GPU capabilities, superior RAM, and exceptional screen quality, making it excellent for demanding engineering and design work, though it may come at a higher price and with a compromise in keyboard and speaker quality.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.5/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for content creation, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is 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
8.2/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 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
7.5/10
8.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
291.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix G16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, a laptop like the ASUS ROG Strix G16 with a bright, high-resolution display provides clarity and detail which is essential for everyday activities such as browsing the web and streaming videos. When it comes to engineering and design work, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio's display offers wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color reproduction necessary for professional-grade graphic work. However, both laptops' lower refresh rates mean they won't deliver as smooth an experience in fast-paced gaming or 3D rendering, where high refresh rates are crucial to keep motion looking fluid.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 9 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.
Cost
$1,374
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a price of $1,374 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to have very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
101,895
Recommendations made
22,078
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.