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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix and the MSI Stealth, consider that the ASUS may save you money and offer robust gaming performance, whereas the MSI, while typically more expensive, is geared towards content creators and professionals with high-end graphics and performance suited for intensive tasks like 3D rendering and machine learning. The MSI may also have better build quality and a more subdued design for professional environments, but the ASUS could be more gamer-centric in design and features. If portability is a concern, the MSI is often lighter and thinner, making it easier to carry around, but could have a tradeoff with shorter battery life compared to gaming-focused laptops that are bulkier. Consider what you will use the laptop for the most when making your decision. 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
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good overall build quality
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.7
8.4
18.0in
SIZE
18.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
If you prioritize accurate color representation and detailed resolution for tasks like photo editing or CAD work, both the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio offer excellent screen quality due to their wide color gamuts and high resolutions, which are essential for engineering and design applications. However, if your main focus is on gaming or 3D rendering, you may find these laptops lacking because of their lower refresh rates, which can result in less fluid motion and responsiveness during fast-paced scenes. For everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, or working with documents, both laptops provide vibrant displays with good brightness levels, making them suitable for general use.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 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
$2,299
$2,900
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a price of $2,299 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.3
8.4
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS ROG Strix G18 are both very good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with their advanced CPUs and ample RAM, offer quick and smooth performance for everyday tasks; high-quality screens enhance the viewing experience for both units. However, the ROG Strix, while offering powerful performance for gaming or more intensive tasks, may be less portable and have a shorter battery life compared to the Stealth, which balances performance with better portability and longer usage times away from a power outlet.
Gaming and AI
8.7
8.9
8.9/10
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 G18 are both very good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its high-refresh-rate screen, can provide gamers with the smooth visual performance they seek, and its powerful GPU ensures it can handle intense graphics for both gaming and 3D applications. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, while also with a great GPU for high-end gaming and 3D tasks, boasts a screen that emphasizes quality, making it suitable for creators who need both performance in applications and a display that provides excellent visual fidelity.
Engineering and Design
8.9
9.1
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.9/10
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 G18 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its powerful CPU, substantial RAM, and high-quality GPU, offers robust performance for demanding engineering tasks, but the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio steps up with similar specs complemented by a superior screen quality for precise design work. While the ASUS provides a balance between power and gaming features, the MSI prioritizes a quieter operation and professional aesthetics, slightly compromising on portability due to its focus on high performance and premium display.
Content Creation
8.6
8.5
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 ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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
8.1
8.2
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS ROG Strix G18 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
Poor
Fair
18.0in
SIZE
18.0in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to have only fair portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to have very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 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 G18 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Strix G18 | MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,299 | $2,900 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 11.6'' x 1.06'' | 15.8'' x 11.4'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.61 lbs | 6.15 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.71" | 15.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.57" | 11.4" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-13980HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 18" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 422 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
ASUS ROG Strix G18
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | March 2023
"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."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 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.
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