The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is more expensive and offers a larger 18-inch display, more storage, higher RAM, a stronger CPU and GPU, and a larger battery, ideal for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming, though it's less portable. In contrast, the MSI Cyborg 15 is less expensive, more portable, and still suitable for gaming, but with a smaller screen, less power, and lower capacity battery, it may not be as effective for the most demanding applications. Consider the ASUS for high-performance needs and the MSI for more casual use with better portability. 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 G18
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 overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Cyborg 15
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.3/10
7.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for general use, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 excels in general use due to its higher-performing CPU, more RAM, superior screen quality with better brightness and color coverage, and larger battery capacity, although it compromises on portability with its greater size and weight. Meanwhile, the MSI Cyborg 15, while still good for general use, has lower specs in these very important areas but offers better portability and heat management, making it a more balanced option for users who prioritize a lighter laptop and longer comfortable use.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.2/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers superior gaming and 3D performance due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 240Hz for smoother visuals. The ASUS model's CPU and screen quality also contribute to its overall higher performance for demanding tasks, reflecting its higher positioning compared to the MSI Cyborg 15's somewhat lesser, but still competent, specifications.
Engineering and Design
8.9/10
7.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 outshines the MSI Cyborg 15 for engineering and design use due to its superior CPU, double the RAM, and a more powerful GPU, all of which are very important for complex tasks, and it also has a higher quality screen with better resolution, brightness, and color accuracy. While the MSI Cyborg 15 can handle engineering tasks with capable hardware, it offers better portability, lower operating noise, and is lighter, making it a compromise between power and convenience.
Content Creation
8.6/10
7.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Cyborg 15 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
8.1/10
7.2/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for software development, while the MSI Cyborg 15 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
8.7/10
6.8/10
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Cyborg 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers a high-resolution display with great brightness and panel quality, delivering crisp and vivid images for general use and engineering tasks that need accurate colors. However, the lower refresh rate means that it's less suitable for gaming and 3D work, where fast-paced visuals can suffer from motion blur or appear less smooth.
The MSI Cyborg 15 has a display that provides adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and moderate color accuracy for engineering and design, but it falls short for gaming and 3D applications due to a less impressive refresh rate, which can diminish the experience with less fluid motion and responsiveness.
Portability
Poor
Good
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.3 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Cyborg 15 has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
6.7/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has good build quality, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,299
$1,100
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a price of $2,299 and the MSI Cyborg 15 costs $1,100.
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
"The focus of the MSI Cyborg 15 lies on a compromise of performance, mobility, and power consumption. Due to the reduced performance settings, the CPU and GPU perform below their capabilities. Nonetheless, their computing power is still sufficient for FHD gaming at high to maximum settings even then. The power consumption, which is low for a gaming laptop, can be translated into a good battery life. Realistic values of 7 to 8 h are still possible, despite the relatively small battery capacity of 53.5 Wh. Unfortunately the USB-C port doesn't offer any support for Power Delivery, which would be a sensible feature in the case of the Cyborg."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 or the MSI Cyborg 15
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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