If you require powerful performance for tasks such as 3D modeling, machine learning, or gaming, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 may justify its higher cost with superior capabilities. However, if you prioritize portability and longer battery life for general use or less demanding engineering tasks, the MSI Thin GF63 offers a more budget-friendly option with sufficient performance. Keep in mind that the ASUS will likely have a better display and graphics power, but it will also be heavier and may have shorter battery life compared to the MSI. Choose based on what aspects—performance, portability, battery life, or price—are most critical for your needs. 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
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Thin GF63
Good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
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
6.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Thin GF63 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 boasts a higher-end Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a 240Hz screen refresh rate for superior gaming and 3D performance, while its pristine screen quality is underlined by an impressive 188 PPI density and high contrast. The MSI Thin GF63, while also good for gaming and 3D tasks with an Nvidia RTX 4050 and a 144Hz refresh rate, offers slightly less powerful GPU performance and less detailed visuals with a 141 PPI screen density.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
7.5/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 features a more powerful CPU and GPU, and a higher quality screen, which translates to better performance and visuals for demanding engineering and design tasks compared to the MSI Thin GF63 which has a capable yet less powerful CPU and GPU and lower screen quality.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.4/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 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
7.7/10
7.2/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and MSI Thin GF63 are both good for software development, though the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is somewhat better.
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 Thin GF63 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 boasts superior screen resolution and color accuracy, making it excellent for engineering and design tasks that demand precise colors and clear visuals; however, its lower refresh rate may not be ideal for fast-paced gaming. In contrast, the MSI Thin GF63 offers acceptable display performance for daily tasks and design work with reasonable resolution and color representation, yet it won't be as vibrant or sharp as higher-end displays, and its lower refresh rates will similarly limit gaming and 3D work. Both laptops may compromise on battery life due to their advanced screens, and the ASUS will generally fetch a higher price for its enhanced display qualities.
Build Quality
8.5/10
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has very 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
$2,059
$880
$0
$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 Thin GF63 costs $880.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and MSI Thin GF63 are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Battery
4.5 Hours
4.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has 4.5 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
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Thin GF63 and ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and the MSI Thin GF63 compare to other laptops
"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 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 Zephyrus M16 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
100,995
Recommendations made
21,883
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.