The ASUS ROG Strix G18 generally costs slightly less and offers a larger storage capacity, with a more powerful main processor and GPU, which makes it well-suited for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks. It has a large 18-inch screen and a high refresh rate, but its larger size, heavier weight, and relatively lower portability score make it less ideal for carrying around frequently. Conversely, the MSI Stealth GS66 is more portable due to its lighter weight and smaller size, with a premium price tag and lower storage capacity. Its processor and GPU are less powerful than the ASUS, making it less optimal for the most demanding tasks but still capable for general use and engineering. Both laptops have similar RAM, high-quality keyboards, and no touchscreens, but the MSI has a longer battery life which could be advantageous for extended use away from power outlets. 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
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Stealth GS66
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.3/10
7.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
280.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for general use, while the MSI Stealth GS66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 leads on screen brightness and color coverage making for a vivid display and has a higher-end CPU which boosts its general use performance, but its large size and weight reduce its portability compared to the MSI Stealth GS66, which offers a more travel-friendly design and longer battery life, though with a less powerful CPU and less vibrant screen. Both laptops pack the same RAM and are well-equipped for general use, but the ASUS boasts a more robust build and better speaker and keyboard quality, while the MSI is quieter and manages heat slightly better.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Stealth GS66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 boasts a higher-end GPU and a larger, higher-resolution screen which enhances gaming and 3D experiences, while the MSI Stealth GS66, although having a lower-tier GPU, offers a higher screen refresh rate that might appeal to competitive gamers who prioritize smooth visuals.
Engineering and Design
8.9/10
8.2/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Stealth GS66 are both very good for engineering and design, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.6/10
7.7/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
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 GS66 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
7.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for software development, while the MSI Stealth GS66 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
8.1/10
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
280.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Stealth GS66 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 vibrant colors and brightness suitable for everyday tasks and detail-oriented work in engineering and design, thanks to its wide color gamut coverage. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate limits the smoothness of fast-moving visuals, which is critical for these activities. Meanwhile, the MSI Stealth GS66 provides sufficient resolution and color accuracy for general and professional use, but like the ASUS, it falls short for gaming due to its lower refresh rate, sacrificing the potential for ultra-fluid motion important in high-speed gaming scenarios.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth GS66 has 5.5 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
15.6in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth GS66 has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,299
$1,718
$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 GS66 costs $1,718.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth GS66 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 GS66 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."
"The MSI Stealth GS66 is powerful enough for QHD. The Core i7-12700H and the GeForce RTX 3070 Ti found in the 12UGS model that we tested run all modern games smoothly in the native QHD resolution. The 15-inch display is very fast with its 240 Hz refresh rate, and it also offers a great color space (almost 100% DCI-P3) on top of that, which should please gamers as well as content creators, although we would have still wished for a higher brightness. Case, input devices, and connectivity (Thunderbolt 4) are at a good level. However, among other things, the GS66 loses points due to the high temperature development in 3D mode and its poor webcam."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 or the MSI Stealth GS66
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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