If you're looking for a less expensive option that still offers good performance for tasks like gaming and general use, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 could be a great choice, especially if you also value portability due to its lighter and more compact size. On the other hand, the MSI Titan 18 HX, while more expensive, delivers top-tier performance for the most demanding 3D, machine learning, and engineering tasks; however, it's bulkier and not as easy to carry around, so it's less ideal if you often work on the go. Also, the Titan's larger size typically means better cooling, which can be a significant advantage during long sessions of intensive work or gaming. 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 Scar 15
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has no clear advantages over the MSI Titan 18 HX.
Advantages of the MSI Titan 18 HX
Very good for general use
Best in class for engineering and design
Excellent for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Excellent for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Excellent speakers
Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.8/10
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
283.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for general use, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15, with its high-quality CPU, ample RAM, and excellent screen, manages a balance between power for multitasking and enjoying crisp visuals, but its portability and battery life may be limited due to its gaming-oriented design. On the other hand, the MSI Titan 18 HX offers exceptional performance with top-tier CPU and RAM, excelling in demanding tasks beyond general use, albeit at the cost of increased weight and reduced battery life, making it less convenient for mobile use.
Gaming and AI
8.3/10
9.4/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15, with its powerful GPU and high screen refresh rate, offers a smooth gaming experience, although the MSI Titan 18 HX surpasses it with even more superior graphics capabilities, making it optimal for the most demanding games and 3D tasks. While both have robust CPUs and good screen quality, the edge in GPU and refresh rate makes the MSI Titan 18 HX an exceptional choice for hardcore gamers and professionals in 3D modeling, despite likely being heavier and possibly more expensive.
Engineering and Design
8.5/10
9.9/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good.
The MSI Titan 18 HX, with its top-tier CPU, extensive RAM, and powerful GPU, provides exceptional performance and screen quality for demanding engineering tasks, outpacing the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15. However, the ASUS may offer a more balanced compromise with good performance, slightly better portability, and lower operating noise at a reduced cost compared to the MSI, which, while superior for intensive workloads, is less portable and likely louder in operation.
Content Creation
8.0/10
9.0/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for content creation, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very 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
7.4/10
8.9/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 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
7.9/10
9.2/10
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
283.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If you prioritize a vibrant display with sharp detail for daily tasks like browsing and watching videos, the MSI Titan's superior resolution and panel brightness outstrips the ASUS. For engineering and design work where accurate colors are crucial, the MSI Titan also leads with wider color coverage, essential for precision in visual projects. However, for gaming or 3D modeling where smooth motion is key, both fall short due to lower refresh rates, impacting the fluidity of fast-moving visuals.
Battery
5.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX has 4 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
Fair
Poor
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
5.0 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has only fair portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX has very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,000
$4,800
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a price of $2,000 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,800.
"Asus continues to refine the ROG Strix Scar lineup with new upgrades. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 offers almost everything you would expect from a gaming laptop at this price. The build quality is great, connectivity options are decent, and there is enough scope for internal upgrades as well. Asus reverts to membrane switches for the keyboard — though not as "clickety" as the opto-mechanical ones we saw with last year's model, they still make for a decent typing and gaming experience. The lack of biometrics in any form is a downer."
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 or the MSI Titan 18 HX
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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