Choosing between the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and the MSI GF65 Thin depends on what is important to you. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 offers a more powerful processor, better graphics, a larger and higher refresh rate display with better color accuracy, and has a larger battery capacity, making it well-suited for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks. It is also slightly heavier and bulkier, which may affect portability. On the other hand, the MSI GF65 Thin is more affordable, lighter, and still capable of gaming and general use, but has less memory, a smaller battery, and a less powerful CPU and GPU, which makes it less ideal for highly demanding tasks. The MSI may appeal to those who prioritize portability and cost over top-tier performance. 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 M16
Good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI GF65 Thin
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
6.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
627.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
4.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is good for general use, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 offers a better general use experience through a superior CPU and higher RAM capacity, which contribute to faster overall performance and multitasking, along with better screen quality that enhances viewing, and longer battery life for extended use without recharging. The MSI GF65 Thin, while rated fair for general use, falls short due to less RAM, which may affect multitasking and performance, and a screen and battery life that aren't on par with the ASUS, but it remains a portable option with reasonable operating noise and heat management.
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
6.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 offers a superior gaming and 3D experience due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and higher screen refresh rate of 240Hz, compared to the MSI GF65 Thin, which has a capable but less powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and a lower screen refresh rate of 144Hz. Additionally, the ROG Zephyrus M16 is equipped with a higher-resolution screen, which further enhances the quality of the visual experience for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
6.7/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.2/10
6.8/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for content creation, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
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
7.7/10
6.3/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is good for software development, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
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
9.0/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
627.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a better screen than the MSI GF65 Thin for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When selecting a laptop for general use, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 stands out with its bright, high-resolution display, which offers clarity and detail for everyday tasks and media consumption. If your work involves engineering and design, the M16's ability to represent a wide range of colors accurately will ensure that your projects look as intended on the screen. However, gamers and those into 3D might find the M16 less appealing due to its lower refresh rate, which could render fast-paced action less smoothly than desired; meanwhile, the MSI GF65 Thin, with modest screen attributes across the board, offers a balanced yet less remarkable visual experience for all these use cases.
Build Quality
8.5/10
6.7/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has very good build quality, while the MSI GF65 Thin has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,059
$1,100
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a price of $2,059 and the MSI GF65 Thin costs $1,100.
"The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is not yet as optimised as its predecessor. Compared to the previous gen, performance and efficiency have improved significantly. What's more, the wonderful, Mini-LED Nebula display is a contender for the main highlight and almost manages to put the CPU and GPU in the shade. We already found its predecessor to be a well-rounded and well-optimised gaming machine. Generally, but not unequivocally, that also applies to the new Asus M16. Similar to most of the current, new laptops, we are dealing with a double generational leap in terms of the CPU and GPU. However, this change doesn't always run smoothly."
"The MSI GF65 Thin offers a GeForce RTX 3060 on a budget. The MSI GF65 is a relatively inexpensive RTX 3060 laptop and, perhaps not coincidentally, it also comes with a slower-than-average RTX 3060 GPU. Other laptops we've tested thus far with the same GPU are about 10 to 15 percent faster. CPU performance is also slightly slower than average unless if users decide to enable Cooler Boost mode. Colors, black-white response times, Thunderbolt, and DisplayPort are either average or completely omitted. Gamers who want to maximize performance-per-dollar without sacrificing RAM or SSD upgradeability will find the lightweight MSI GF65 attractive."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 or the MSI GF65 Thin
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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