If you're looking for a less expensive option that can handle everyday tasks and some gaming, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is a solid choice, but it may not excel in heavy tasks like 3D rendering or advanced machine learning. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, while pricier, offers superior performance for intensive engineering, 3D, and machine learning tasks. It's also worth considering that the larger screen and powerful components of the MSI may reduce its portability and battery life compared to the more travel-friendly ASUS. Choose the MSI for high-demand applications or the ASUS for general use and gaming within a budget. 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 TUF Dash 15
Good portability
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 for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.6/10
8.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
272.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is good.
The ASUS TUF Dash 15, with substantial CPU and RAM, offers a balance of performance and portability, but may have limitations in screen quality and battery life for prolonged use. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, boasting superior CPU and RAM along with a high-quality screen, excels in performance for demanding tasks; though it trades off some portability and may not have the long battery life some users require for on-the-go computing.
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
8.9/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
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 TUF Dash 15 is good.
The ASUS TUF Dash 15, with a capable GPU and high screen refresh rate, provides a solid gaming experience while remaining relatively affordable, but the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, equipped with an even more robust GPU and premium screen quality that complements its high refresh rate, excels in gaming and 3D tasks, at a higher price point. While both CPUs effectively support gaming needs, the MSI's superior components deliver the smoother performance demanded by graphics-intensive applications.
Engineering and Design
7.8/10
9.1/10
8.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
7.0/10
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 TUF Dash 15 is good.
The ASUS TUF Dash 15, with a solid CPU, ample RAM, and a decent GPU, suits engineering tasks well, and is built with durability in mind, but the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, offering a higher-end CPU, more RAM, a superior GPU, and exceptional screen quality, delivers top-tier performance for more demanding engineering and design software, although it's less portable and could be noisier under load. While both have quality keyboards, the MSI's higher specs could mean a trade-off with battery life and increased weight, making the ASUS a more travel-friendly option.
Content Creation
7.6/10
8.5/10
8.7/10
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 is very good for content creation, while the ASUS TUF Dash 15 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
7.4/10
8.2/10
8.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for software development, while the ASUS TUF Dash 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
7.0/10
8.4/10
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
272.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the ASUS TUF Dash 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, a laptop screen like the one on the ASUS TUF Dash 15 offers pleasing visuals and clarity due to its resolution and brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. Engineering and design professionals would appreciate the ASUS TUF Dash 15 for its ability to represent colors accurately, thanks to its good coverage of color gamuts, which is crucial for detailed and color-critical work. However, gamers and creators working with 3D content may find the ASUS TUF Dash 15's refresh rate lacking, leading to less smooth visuals in fast-paced games or while working on animation and rendering tasks, despite adequate resolution and panel type.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has 9 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
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has very good build quality, while the ASUS TUF Dash 15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,150
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has a price of $1,150 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
"The Asus TUF Dash F15 FX517ZR is a laptop with mobile RTX 3070 and acceptable battery life. The Asus TUF Dash F15 was made for high-performance applications like video editing, rendering, and gaming. The laptop can manage the latter in QHD resolution and at high to maximum settings. However, the focus isn't on maximum performance, but instead, it's about a compromise between performance and portability."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Dash 15 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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