If you're focused on intense gaming, 3D rendering, or demanding engineering software, the ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers superior performance but also tends to be less portable and pricier. On the other hand, if you prioritize a more affordable option with decent performance for everyday tasks and greater portability, the MSI Thin GF63 is a good choice, although it might struggle with more resource-intensive activities. Consider how much battery life matters to you as well; gaming laptops often have shorter battery lives due to their high-performance components. Choose the ASUS for high-end tasks and the MSI for lighter use and easier travel. 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
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Thin GF63
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.7/10
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for general use, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers a powerful CPU and more RAM for multitasking and intense tasks, along with a high-quality screen but sacrifices portability and has a shorter battery life, making it less convenient for on-the-go use. The MSI Thin GF63, while still good for general use with adequate CPU and RAM, favors portability and longer battery life, making it more suitable for users who need to work from different locations, though it may not handle demanding tasks as smoothly as the ASUS.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
6.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
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
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Thin GF63 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 boasts a more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, providing smoother visuals and better performance for gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Thin GF63, although still capable, offers modest gaming performance with a less powerful GPU and lower refresh rate, but gains an edge in portability and cost. Screen quality and processor strength in the MSI are adequate for general usage and some gaming, but the ASUS leads with superior screen clarity and a more robust CPU, catering to more demanding software and tasks.
Engineering and Design
9.2/10
7.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 boasts a more powerful CPU, larger RAM, and a superior GPU which are crucial for demanding engineering software and high-resolution screen for detail-rich design work, whereas the MSI Thin GF63 offers decent performance but prioritizes portability and convenience with a slimmer design and lighter weight, making it less suitable for intensive tasks but easier to carry around. While the ASUS excels in raw power and screen quality, the MSI may be preferred for its improved keyboard feel, quieter operation, and better speakers, catering to users who value comfort and multimedia experience alongside moderate workloads.
Content Creation
8.8/10
7.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
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 Thin GF63 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
16.0 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 Thin GF63 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
262.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Thin GF63 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its high resolution and brightness, offers an immersive experience for everyday tasks and detail-oriented work in engineering and design due to its broader color gamut. However, the lower refresh rate impacts the fluidity required for gaming and 3D modeling, which may discomfort those sensitive to screen tearing or lag. Conversely, the MSI Thin GF63's adequate resolution and brightness suffice for general and design tasks but fall short in providing the color accuracy and range crucial for professional design work and the smooth visuals sought by gamers and 3D artists due to a modest refresh rate.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Thin GF63 has 4.5 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
4.1 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Thin GF63 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
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has good build quality, while the MSI Thin GF63 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
$1,400
$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 Thin GF63 costs $1,400.
"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 GF63 Thin 11SC can be an admirable value for gamers and power users on a minimal budget. For just $599 as reviewed in its base model, its Intel Core i5 H-class processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics perform much better than low-wattage CPUs and integrated graphics. That said, this is a light-class gaming laptop. Low scores in our demanding gaming benchmarks indicate using lower visual-quality settings will be required for playable performance."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) or the MSI Thin GF63
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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