If you're focused on top performance for gaming or intensive tasks and are willing to invest more, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is an excellent option but it will be heavier and less portable. For a balance of performance and budget, the MSI GP66 Leopard is a solid choice, as it still handles most tasks well, though it may not match the ASUS in high-end performance, but you will save money and possibly get a more portable device. Consider your main activities: if they are demanding, the extra cost for the ASUS could be justified; otherwise, the MSI will serve you well at a lower cost. 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 (2024)
Very good for general use
Very good 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
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI GP66 Leopard
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.1/10
7.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
459.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.8/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for general use, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is equipped with a high-quality CPU and RAM, making it very efficient for a variety of tasks, and it has a vibrant screen which enhances the general use experience; however, it's less portable and has shorter battery life compared to more travel-friendly laptops. Meanwhile, the MSI GP66 Leopard also offers capable CPU and RAM for general tasks, a decent screen, and better portability due to its lighter design, but it might not match the screen quality and the raw performance of the ASUS for more demanding applications.
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
7.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers a superior GPU and high screen refresh rate, which translates to smoother visuals and better gaming and 3D performance. Although the MSI GP66 Leopard has a capable CPU and good screen quality, its GPU and refresh rate may not match the Strix G16's, making it less optimal for the most demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
7.9/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its superior CPU and GPU, excels in running demanding engineering software and offers a vivid screen that is great for design work, though it's heavier and not as easy to carry around. On the other hand, the MSI GP66 Leopard, while also good for engineering tasks, prioritizes a balance between performance and portability, but with a screen and audio that may not be as impressive as the ASUS for high-end design projects.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for content creation, while the MSI GP66 Leopard 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
8.0/10
7.2/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for software development, while the MSI GP66 Leopard 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
8.8/10
7.5/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
459.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the MSI GP66 Leopard for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers a high-resolution display with excellent brightness and a panel type that delivers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. When it comes to engineering and design, this laptop stands out with a display that covers a wide range of the color spectrum, including DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, which ensures accurate color representation for professional work. However, for Gaming and 3D applications, the ASUS falls short due to its lower refresh rate which doesn't provide as smooth of an experience as higher-refresh-rate screens, a factor which is less critical for general use and engineering tasks.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI GP66 Leopard has 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.
Cost
$1,599
$1,400
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has a price of $1,599 and the MSI GP66 Leopard costs $1,400.
The MSI GP66 Leopard and ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GP66 Leopard to have very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) and the MSI GP66 Leopard compare to other laptops
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"The MSI GP66 Leopard is a good budget high-performance gamer. The MSI also does a lot right outside of the pure performance despite it's low price. For example, the adaptive cooling system really surprised us positively, even in Extreme Performance Mode. And the display is not a budget panel either, but at least outshines the competition in terms of brightness. Of course, you also have to accept a few compromises in this price category. These include the Leopard's poor battery runtimes and the less than optimal build quality, which is also noticeable in the more complicated maintenance."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) or the MSI GP66 Leopard
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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