If performance is your primary consideration for tasks like 3d rendering, machine learning, or engineering, the ASUS ROG Strix G18 with a top-tier processor and powerful GPU makes a smart choice, especially for intensive gaming. It also offers robust build quality and considerable versatility with a good array of ports, but battery life and portability are less impressive due to its larger size and higher weight. Alternatively, if you prioritize a mix of good performance and better portability, along with a premium feel and professional design, the MSI Stealth GS77 is a better fit, providing more memory and slightly longer battery life, all while being easier to carry around, but its performance for very demanding tasks falls short when compared to the ASUS. 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 gaming and AI
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Stealth GS77
Very good overall build quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
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 GS77 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 excels in gaming and 3D with its more advanced Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a very high-refresh-rate screen, essential for smooth visual performance in fast-paced games, whereas the MSI Stealth GS77, with its Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU, also performs strongly but may not match the graphical prowess of the ASUS for the most demanding games and 3D applications. The screen quality of both is excellent, sufficient for immersive gaming and productivity, but keep in mind that better graphics performance can command a higher price and affect battery life.
Screen Quality
8.7/10
8.3/10
18.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
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 GS77 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
If you need a laptop for general use, both the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the MSI Stealth GS77 have displays with high resolution and brightness, which will provide crisp and clear visuals for day-to-day tasks. For engineering and design, where color accuracy is crucial, these laptops offer excellent color gamuts ensuring that your work is displayed with precise colors. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rate on these screens means they won't perform as well, potentially making fast-paced action less smooth and immersive compared to laptops with higher refresh rates.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth GS77 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
Fair
18.0in
SIZE
17.3in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth GS77 has only fair portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,900
$2,499
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a price of $1,900 and the MSI Stealth GS77 costs $2,499.
The MSI Stealth GS77 and ASUS ROG Strix G18 are both very good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Engineering and Design
8.9/10
8.7/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Stealth GS77 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is highly suitable for engineering and design use because it's equipped with a powerful Intel i9 processor, a robust Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU, and high screen quality with impressive brightness and color coverage, which are critical for design work. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth GS77, while also having a strong Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU, offers more RAM for multitasking, but has a slightly lesser screen brightness, which could be a consideration for design accuracy.
Content Creation
8.6/10
8.3/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Stealth GS77 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
8.1/10
8.1/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Stealth GS77 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.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth GS77 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 GS77 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 GS77 is better than the GS76... mostly. The GS77 is a few steps forward and a few steps back from the GS76. Improvements are numerous including the stronger and more rigid skeleton, higher resolution webcam, larger clickpad, easier serviceability, relatively similar battery runtimes, newer display options, and higher performance at about the same TDP and TGP levels as before. CPU performance is better than expected even when compared to other laptops with Core i7 or Core i9 processors. The newer model feels more substantial than the outgoing one for higher quality impressions as well."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 or the MSI Stealth GS77
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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