If you prioritize gaming or demanding tasks and don't mind spending more, the ASUS ROG Strix could be the choice for you as it typically offers top-tier performance and features for heavy applications. However, if you're looking for a compromise between cost and capability, and you need something easier to carry around, the MSI GP66 Leopard, while less powerful, could save you money and offer better portability. Remember that both choices may have different battery lives, so consider how often you'll use the laptop unplugged. 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 battery life
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI GP66 Leopard
Very good overall build quality
Key differences
General Use
8.7/10
7.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.8/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for general use, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its more robust CPU and RAM, provides a smoother experience for multitasking and demanding applications which is essential for a range of general use scenarios, and its high-quality screen enhances visual experiences, but this comes at the cost of reduced portability and battery life. On the other hand, the MSI GP66 Leopard, while still offering good performance for everyday tasks, trades off some processing power and display quality for better portability and longer battery life, making it more suitable for users who require mobility.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
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 GP66 Leopard is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 boasts a top-tier GPU and a very high screen refresh rate, making it ideal for the smoothest gaming and 3D experiences, whereas the MSI GP66 Leopard has a slightly less powerful GPU and lower refresh rate but still performs well in those areas. While both laptops have capable CPUs and good screen quality, the ASUS prioritizes the ultimate gaming performance, and the MSI offers a more balanced approach within a somewhat more accessible price bracket.
Engineering and Design
9.2/10
7.9/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 typically comes with a high-end CPU, ample RAM, and a powerful GPU, complemented by excellent screen quality, ensuring smooth performance for demanding engineering software and detailed visual work. While the MSI GP66 Leopard offers strong CPU and GPU performance as well, its focus on balance between power and portability might mean a compromise in absolute top-tier specs or screen quality compared to the ASUS, impacting the most intensive tasks.
Content Creation
8.8/10
7.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for content creation, while the MSI GP66 Leopard 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
7.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for software development, while the MSI GP66 Leopard 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
7.5/10
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI GP66 Leopard for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When selecting a laptop for general use, the ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers superior screen quality due to its high resolution and brightness, which provide vivid images and clear visibility even in well-lit environments. For engineering and design tasks, this laptop's wide color gamuts ensure accurate color reproduction, a critical aspect for professionals working with visual media. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rate of the ASUS ROG Strix G18's display may result in less fluid motion compared to screens designed specifically for these purposes.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI GP66 Leopard 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
Fair
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI GP66 Leopard has only fair portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,203
$1,400
$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 GP66 Leopard costs $1,400.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GP66 Leopard to have very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) 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 (2024) and the MSI GP66 Leopard 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 GP66 Leopard is a good budget high-performance gamer. The MSI also does a lot right outside of the pure performance despite it's low price. For example, the adaptive cooling system really surprised us positively, even in Extreme Performance Mode. And the display is not a budget panel either, but at least outshines the competition in terms of brightness. Of course, you also have to accept a few compromises in this price category. These include the Leopard's poor battery runtimes and the less than optimal build quality, which is also noticeable in the more complicated maintenance."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) or the MSI GP66 Leopard
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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