The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is a solid choice for gaming due to its high-performance components and robust cooling system; however, its larger size and heavier weight make it less ideal for frequent travel. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio commands a higher price, partly for its ability to handle demanding creative tasks like 3D modeling and video editing with specialized AI-driven features, and it offers a more portable design. If your priority is gaming and you don't mind a larger laptop, the ASUS could serve you well. If you're a creative professional needing a lighter device for work on the go, consider the MSI. 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 17
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
8.9/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 are both very good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 offers a high screen refresh rate and a powerful GPU, making it ideal for smooth gaming and rendering 3D graphics. Meanwhile, the MSI Stealth 15M also boasts a top-tier GPU, and while its refresh rate is equally impressive, its superior screen quality and CPU may provide an edge in both gaming experiences and demanding 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.6/10
9.1/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17, with its high-end GPU and CPU coupled with ample RAM, excels in tasks that require strong processing power and graphics capabilities, which is ideal for engineering software, and it also offers a high-quality screen. While the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio provides similar CPU and RAM benefits, and potentially superior GPU and screen enhancements for engineering needs, it may fall short in terms of ease of carrying due to its size and weight compared to the more compact ASUS, and also may have a less comfortable keyboard or louder operating noise.
Software Development
7.5/10
8.2/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 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
8.1/10
8.4/10
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
292.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17, while suitable for general tasks with its decent resolution and brightness, falls short for gaming due to a lower refresh rate that affects the smoothness of fast-paced visuals. Contrastingly, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio shines in general use and engineering thanks to its higher resolution and broad color gamut coverage, ensuring sharp and accurate color representation for detailed design work. However, both laptops are not ideal for gaming and 3D work since their refresh rates do not match the often preferred higher rates for these activities, thereby not providing the fluid motion that gamers and 3D designers seek.
Cost
$2,499
$2,900
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has a price of $2,499 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to be very good for general use, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17, with its high-performance CPU and ample RAM, offers a robust experience for demanding software, but its weight and shorter battery life make it less ideal for on-the-go use compared to the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, which also provides great performance with a focus on a more portable design and longer battery life, making it very suitable for general use that involves mobility. The MSI also boasts excellent screen quality, enhancing the overall experience for multimedia and creative tasks, while both laptops have sufficient storage and quality keyboards, with the ASUS leaning more towards gamers with its enhanced heat management and the MSI favoring professionals with its quieter operation.
Content Creation
8.2/10
8.5/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 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.
Battery
7.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has 7 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
6.3 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to have only fair portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have very 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 Scar 17 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
"Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 laptop review: liquid metal 7 nm AMD Zen 3 is stunning. The raw performance increase is absolutely bonkers if you're upgrading from a laptop on Coffee Lake-H or older. The 45 W Ryzen 9 5900HX is neck-to-neck with the thicker, heavier, and hotter Schenker Ultra 17 running on a desktop-class Core i9-11900K despite their wide TDP differences. The performance-per-watt advantages can make Intel Rocket Lake feel like a last generation platform at times. As for the chassis itself, it's a huge light show with RGB LEDs on almost all sides of the system."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 or the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
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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