If budget is a primary concern, and you still need high-performance capabilities for activities like gaming, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a strong option as it offers good performance at a lower price point. However, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, while more expensive, provides superior performance for professional creative work, 3D rendering, and machine learning, plus it usually has a higher build quality and better display. The Stealth is also lighter and thinner, making it more portable, but this might come at the cost of shorter battery life compared to the ASUS, which is typically bulkier and heavier. 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)
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has no clear advantages over the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio.
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
8.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
240Hz
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 and ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) are both very good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a high refresh rate screen and a capable GPU, making it a strong choice for smooth gaming and 3D rendering, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio pairs a premium GPU with a top-tier screen quality and refresh rate, offering superior performance and visuals for demanding gaming and 3D tasks. However, the MSI's larger screen and potentially more powerful CPU also mean it may be less portable and more expensive than the ASUS.
Screen Quality
8.8/10
8.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
459.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen for content creation.
For general use, a laptop with high resolution, bright display, and a panel type that provides clear visuals and wide viewing angles is desirable, both the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio offer such features ensuring crisp text and vibrant images. In engineering and design, accurate color reproduction is critical, and both laptops excel here with wide color gamuts that cover the professional standards, making them suitable for tasks that demand precision in color work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, a high refresh rate is paramount for smooth motion; since both laptops have lower refresh rates, they fall short in providing the optimal experience that fast-paced games and real-time 3D rendering demand.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 8 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
$1,599
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has a price of $1,599 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) are both very good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers a strong CPU and ample RAM for efficient multitasking and smooth performance in everyday tasks, coupled with a high-quality screen and decent portability but has a battery life that may not last through a long day without charging. Meanwhile, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio also provides excellent CPU performance and RAM for day-to-day activities, with possibly better screen quality for those keen on visuals, though it's less portable and may also face battery limitations during extended use without access to power.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
9.1/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to be excellent for engineering and design, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is equipped with a high-performance CPU, abundant RAM, and a capable GPU, which ensures it handles engineering tasks proficiently, while also providing a quality screen essential for design work. However, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio surpasses it with an even more powerful CPU and GPU combination, larger and enhanced RAM, ensuring smoother performance in demanding applications, though at the expense of being less portable and potentially noisier under heavy loads.
Content Creation
8.4/10
8.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) are both very 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
8.0/10
8.2/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) are both very 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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) 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 (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 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 (2024) 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.
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