When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix and the MSI Cyborg, consider that the ASUS typically offers higher performance for demanding tasks like gaming, 3D modeling, or machine learning, which may justify its higher price, but it's also likely heavier, making it less convenient for frequent travel. The MSI Cyborg, being more affordable, is a better fit for general use and provides good value for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, with the added benefit of being easier to carry. Reflect on whether performance or portability and cost are your top priority to make the best choice for your needs. 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 (2024)
Very good for general use
Excellent 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
8.7/10
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 (2024) is very good for general use, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its more powerful CPU and greater RAM, excels in intensive tasks and has a higher-quality screen, making it ideal for demanding applications, but it is less portable and has shorter battery life compared to the MSI Cyborg 15, which still performs well for everyday use and is easier to carry around with longer battery life. While the MSI may have sufficient storage, keyboard, and speaker quality, its operating noise and heat management are less refined than the ASUS, which boasts superior heat dissipation and quieter operation, making it a more comfortable choice for extended 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 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is equipped with a high-end GPU and offers a higher screen refresh rate, providing a smoother and more immersive gaming and 3D experience, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has a capable GPU but a lower refresh rate, which still delivers good performance but may not be as fluid in fast-paced scenes. Both have quality CPUs and screens, but the ASUS prioritizes the peak graphics capabilities and smoothness that enthusiasts look for.
Engineering and Design
9.2/10
7.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a superior GPU, which are crucial for demanding engineering and graphic design tasks, and it comes with a high-quality screen appropriate for precision work. However, the MSI Cyborg 15, while still capable for engineering and design, prioritizes portability and has a quieter operating noise, along with a decent keyboard and speakers, making it a more balanced choice for everyday use and on-the-go professionals.
Content Creation
8.8/10
7.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) 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
8.5/10
7.2/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
32.0 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 (2024) 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 likely offers a high-resolution display with excellent color accuracy and brightness, making it ideal for general use and engineering tasks that demand precise color representation. However, its lower refresh rate may not suit gaming and 3D applications, where fluid motion is crucial. The MSI Cyborg 15, with its fair screen attributes, provides an adequate viewing experience for everyday tasks and some level of engineering design, but falls short for gaming and 3D due the same limitations involving refresh rates.
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 (2024) 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 (2024) 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
$2,203
$1,100
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has a price of $2,203 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 (2024) 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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