When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, consider that the ASUS offers superior performance which is more suited for intensive tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning, but it is heavier and larger, making it less portable. The MSI, on the other hand, is more affordable and lightweight, and while it provides good performance for general use and some engineering software, it may not handle the most demanding applications as well as the ASUS. Additionally, the MSI has a smaller screen, potentially making it less suited for multitasking or design work which benefits from a larger display. 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 gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good battery life
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.3/10
7.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for general use, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers superior performance with a top-tier CPU and GPU combo, a larger and higher quality display with better color coverage for vibrant visuals, and a responsive keyboard, which justifies its advantages for general use, albeit with compromises in portability and battery life. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, while also having a high-quality display and capable CPU, is notably more portable with less weight and smaller size, balancing a moderate performance threshold in favor of better handling and longer battery life for on-the-go use.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 excels in gaming and 3D with its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth and responsive gameplay. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, while still good for gaming and 3D tasks, comes with a slightly less powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a lower screen refresh rate, meaning it might not handle gaming as effortlessly as the ASUS, but it could be more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight.
Content Creation
8.6/10
7.9/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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
7.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for software development, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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
7.6/10
18.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Stealth 14 Studio for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering a laptop for general use, the ASUS ROG Strix G18 stands out with a sharp, bright display that renders crisp images and text, making everyday tasks like browsing, document editing, and media consumption a pleasant experience. For engineering and design, this laptop’s ability to accurately reproduce a wide range of colors is crucial, and the ASUS ROG Strix G18 excels in this regard, which is essential for precision work where color fidelity is key. However, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is paramount, the ASUS falls short due to a lower refresh rate, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio’s display offers decent balance for general use and design tasks, yet similarly struggles with these high-motion scenarios.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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.
Portability
Poor
Good
18.0in
SIZE
14.0in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,299
$1,432
$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 Stealth 14 Studio costs $1,432.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Stealth 14 Studio are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is favored for engineering and design due to its more powerful CPU, higher-quality GPU, larger and higher-resolution display, and robust screen color accuracy, which are crucial for complex tasks and detailed visuals. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, while still offering solid performance and full sRGB screen color coverage, is more portable and has a less noticeable operating noise, making it suitable for on-the-go use without compromising much on the core needs for engineering and design work.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.6/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Stealth 14 Studio both have 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 G18 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio compare to other laptops
"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."
"You'll find a versatility in the MSI Stealth 14 Studio that isn’t matched by many content-creator laptops we've tested of late. The small frame allows you to (potentially) work from anywhere with an outlet and, if noise isn’t a concern, run your most demanding of programs, thanks to some powerful hardware inside. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is an attractive and powerful option if you want a portable laptop to be the center of your content work setup."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 or the MSI Stealth 14 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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