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Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the MSI Cyborg 15, consider your primary needs. If you're looking for a laptop with better performance for gaming or engineering tasks, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 with its AMD Ryzen 7 processor and RX 7600S graphics might be more suitable. The ASUS also offers a larger 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is good for productivity. However, the MSI Cyborg 15 is lighter and thinner, making it more portable. It also has an Intel i7 processor and RTX 4060 graphics, which can handle general use and some gaming, but may not perform as well in highly demanding tasks. Both laptops have similar storage and RAM configurations, but the ASUS has a longer battery life while the MSI may offer better portability due to its lighter weight. 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 Gaming A16
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Cyborg 15
- The MSI Cyborg 15 has no clear advantages over the ASUS TUF Gaming A16.
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.5
6.8
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the MSI Cyborg 15 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16's better resolution and brightness enhance visibility and clarity, making it suitable for everyday tasks and detailed engineering work, but its lower refresh rate limits it for high-speed gaming and 3D applications. Conversely, the MSI Cyborg 15 offers balanced performance for general use with adequate brightness and resolution but might not provide the color accuracy needed for professional design tasks. Both struggle with gaming and 3D content due to refresh rates that won't keep up with fast-paced visuals that these applications often require.
Battery
12.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 hours of battery life. The MSI Cyborg 15 has 7.5 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.
Cost
$940
$1,100
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $940 and the MSI Cyborg 15 costs $1,100.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.3
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a higher capacity battery and more RAM, making it well-suited for general use that demands multitasking and longer unplugged performance, while its larger screen with better colors and higher resolution enhances visual experience. On the other hand, the MSI Cyborg 15, with its lighter build, is easier to carry around, although it has a smaller battery and less RAM, which may affect its ability to handle heavy workloads and reduce its time away from an outlet. Both laptops possess ample storage, quality keyboards, and manage heat and noise decently, contributing to a satisfactory overall use experience.
Gaming and AI
7.4
7.2
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 boasts a superior screen refresh rate for smoother gaming and 3D experiences, complemented by an AMD RX 7600S GPU that ensures respectable gaming performance. Meanwhile, the MSI Cyborg 15 offers competitive gaming capabilities with an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU while featuring a slightly lower screen refresh rate, proving to be a considerable option for gaming and 3D tasks as well.
Engineering and Design
7.7
7.5
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for engineering and design.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 with its higher RAM is more suitable for complex engineering and design tasks that require multitasking, while the MSI Cyborg 15 features an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU that may offer better performance for graphics-intensive engineering and design software.
Content Creation
7.6
7.5
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both 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.
Software Development
7.3
7.2
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for software development.
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.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.3 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Cyborg 15 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS TUF Gaming A16 to have good build quality, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has only fair 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 TUF Gaming A16 and the MSI Cyborg 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A16 | MSI Cyborg 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$940 | $1,100 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.97'' | 14.2'' x 9.9'' x 0.9'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.85 lbs | 4.37 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 14.15" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.92" | 9.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | Intel i7-12650H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 12 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 294 nits | 234 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
ASUS TUF Gaming A16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Dominic Bayley | May 2023
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
MSI Cyborg 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | April 2023
"The focus of the MSI Cyborg 15 lies on a compromise of performance, mobility, and power consumption. Due to the reduced performance settings, the CPU and GPU perform below their capabilities. Nonetheless, their computing power is still sufficient for FHD gaming at high to maximum settings even then. The power consumption, which is low for a gaming laptop, can be translated into a good battery life. Realistic values of 7 to 8 h are still possible, despite the relatively small battery capacity of 53.5 Wh. Unfortunately the USB-C port doesn't offer any support for Power Delivery, which would be a sensible feature in the case of the Cyborg."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 or the MSI Cyborg 15
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.
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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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