The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is the better option for high-performance tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming due to its powerful main processor and GPU. It also has a larger screen, higher resolution, and faster refresh rates which enhance visual experience but this also means it is heavier and less portable than the MSI Modern 14. The MSI Modern 14, being more budget-friendly, lightweight, and with longer battery life, is suitable for general use and better for carrying around. However, it lacks the high-end performance capabilities and screen features of the ASUS, making it less ideal for intensive tasks. Both laptops come with ample storage and RAM, although the ASUS offers more storage out of the box. If you favor performance and are not as concerned about portability and price, the ASUS is a stronger choice; if you prioritize portability, battery life, and cost savings, the MSI Modern 14 is more suitable. 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 G17
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
Very good portability
Good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
7.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
320.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
3.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use, though the ASUS ROG Strix G17 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17, with its more powerful CPU, larger and higher quality screen, and enhanced storage, excels for multitasking and visually demanding tasks, but at the expense of battery life and portability due to its size and weight. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14 offers better portability and battery efficiency with a smaller screen and lighter weight, suitable for general use on the go, while having enough RAM and a competent CPU for everyday tasks.
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
6.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
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 G17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is endowed with a powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 240Hz, making it an excellent choice for gaming and 3D tasks. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14 offers a more modest AMD Ryzen integrated GPU and a standard refresh rate of 60Hz, rendering it less capable for demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
6.6/10
9.8/10
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 G17 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is equipped with a high-performance CPU and dedicated GPU, ample RAM, and a superior screen which are all very important for engineering and design tasks, whereas the MSI Modern 14, while also having enough RAM, falls short with a less powerful CPU and integrated graphics, and a lower-quality screen. The Strix G17's larger and higher-resolution display offers better detail for design work, but it's heavier and less portable than the MSI Modern 14, which, despite being lighter and more portable, compromises on the power and screen quality necessary for more demanding engineering applications.
Content Creation
8.3/10
7.2/10
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Modern 14 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
7.1/10
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for software development, though the ASUS ROG Strix G17 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
8.4/10
6.4/10
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
320.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a better screen than the MSI Modern 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS ROG Strix G17 offers a vibrant and sharp display, making colors pop and text clear, which can be attributed to its higher resolution and brightness. In the realm of engineering and design, this laptop's display covers a wider range of colors, essential for accurately rendering images and models. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rate of the G17 may lead to less fluid motion compared to displays with higher refresh rates, which is why it is not as well-suited for those purposes.
Battery
3.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has 3 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
Poor
Very Good
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
6.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
1.2in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and MSI Modern 14 both have good build quality, though the ASUS ROG Strix G17 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,391
$525
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a price of $1,391 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
"The Asus ROG Strix G17 is an attractive but unbalanced gaming laptop. Its potent AMD Ryzen 9 processor excels in 1080p gaming, but playing at 1440p leaves the middling GeForce RTX 4060 GPU shouldering most of the burden. The display is exceptionally colorful, which is handy for content creators, but since this is a gaming laptop it would be better served with improved HDR capabilities. If battery life isn't a priority, the Strix G17 could serve as a designer by day and a gamer by night."
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 G17 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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