If you prioritize saving money and still want good performance for a range of tasks including gaming, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is a suitable option and it is relatively portable for a gaming laptop. However, if you need top-end performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or professional-grade content creation and are willing to invest more, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio offers premium features and capabilities that justify its higher price, albeit with potential tradeoffs in terms of battery life and portability due to its powerful components. 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 Zephyrus G15
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good overall display quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
8.4/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
309.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
9.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 offers a strong balance of a capable CPU and RAM for smooth multitasking, a high-quality screen for clear visuals, and good battery life and portability for on-the-go use; however, the MSI Stealth 15M, although portable, primarily shines with similar processing power and RAM, but excels in screen quality for those who prioritize display fidelity and may also offer quieter operation and effective heat management. Both laptops handle general use admirably, with the ASUS leaning more towards mobility and battery life, while the MSI focuses on a superior visual experience and comfort features like a quieter system and thermal control.
Gaming and AI
7.5/10
8.9/10
7.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 has a capable GPU and a high screen refresh rate that make it suitable for gaming and some 3D tasks, offering a smooth visual experience. However, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio steps up with an even more powerful GPU and similar refresh rate, which alongside a superior screen quality, delivers top-notch performance and richer visuals for demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.0/10
9.1/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
7.4/10
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 Zephyrus G15 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15, with its high-end CPU and GPU, ample RAM, and quality screen, excels in engineering tasks, but the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio surpasses it with even superior CPU and GPU performance crucial for the most demanding engineering software and design work. While both offer excellent keyboards and screens, the Stealth might be less portable due to its size and weight, and both machines have efficient cooling systems to handle operating noise, though larger chassis can help disperse heat and reduce noise even further.
Software Development
7.4/10
8.2/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 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
8.4/10
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
309.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
In picking a laptop, if your priorities lean towards everyday tasks like web browsing or office work, both the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio offer excellent displays with sharp resolutions and good brightness, ensuring a comfortable and clear viewing experience. For users engaged in engineering and design, these laptops present vivid and accurate colors crucial for professional work, thanks to their wide color gamuts, which cover industry standards well. However, if you're focused on gaming or 3D applications, the lower refresh rates of these screens may not provide the smoothest experience, as higher refresh rates are essential for fluid motion and responsiveness in fast-paced visual environments.
Battery
9.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 has 9.5 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
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 has good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,637
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 has a price of $1,637 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 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.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 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 Zephyrus G15 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
"As long as you're aware of the fact that the GeForce RTX 3080 laptop version can only unfold its potential to a limited extent due to Asus's low TDP setting and that it can be slower than a fast RTX 3070 laptop, the ROG Zephyrus G15 GA503Q cuts a fine figure. One of the biggest highlights turns out to be the WQHD panel, since it attracts customers with 165 Hz, relatively fast response times, FreeSync, and good color-space coverage. Other selling points are the surprisingly rich sound, the long battery life, and the sleek design. In terms of looks, the white edition stands out nicely from the competition."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 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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