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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming or intensive tasks like 3D rendering and machine learning, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is a better choice since it has a stronger CPU, more powerful GPU, larger battery, and higher refresh rate screen, but it is also heavier and less portable. However, if you are price-sensitive, prefer a lighter device with adequate performance for everyday use, and don't need high-end gaming capabilities, the MSI GF63 Thin is more affordable, lighter in weight, but has less storage, less powerful hardware, and a lower battery capacity. 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 for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Good speakers
Advantages of the MSI GF63 Thin
- The MSI GF63 Thin has no clear advantages over the ASUS TUF Gaming A16.
Key differences
General Use
7.6
6.0
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.2 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for general use, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is equipped with a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and a larger, higher resolution screen with better color coverage, which enhances multitasking, speed, and visual experience for general use, while its larger battery offers a longer lifespan between charges. Although the MSI GF63 Thin is lighter and more portable, making it easier to carry around, it has a less powerful CPU, less RAM, and a smaller screen that provides lower color accuracy, alongside a shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
7.4
6.0
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 provides an enhanced gaming and 3D experience with its higher refresh rate display and a more capable GPU compared to the MSI GF63 Thin, which has a lower refresh rate and a less powerful GPU, affecting the fluidity and detail in gaming and 3D applications. While both have quality CPUs and screens, these GPU and refresh rate differences are the primary factors giving the ASUS an edge in gaming and 3D performance.
Engineering and Design
7.7
6.0
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for engineering and design, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 excels in engineering and design tasks with a more robust CPU and GPU, and higher RAM, enhancing performance for demanding software, while it also boasts superior screen quality with greater resolution and color accuracy; however, it is less portable and noisier when running. On the other hand, the MSI GF63 Thin offers lesser performance due to a less powerful CPU, GPU, and less RAM, and a lower quality display, but benefits from being lighter and quieter, making it more suitable for on-the-go use where high-end specs are less crucial.
Content Creation
7.6
6.0
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for content creation, while the MSI GF63 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
7.3
6.0
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
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 is good for software development, while the MSI GF63 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
7.5
6.1
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the MSI GF63 Thin for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers a nice balance with a decent panel type, resolution, and brightness that will satisfy everyday tasks like browsing and watching videos, while the MSI GF63 Thin provides acceptable clarity and brightness for these tasks, but it doesn't stand out. When it comes to engineering and design, the ASUS TUF's color gamut coverage better supports professionals needing precision in color-representative tasks, which is less pronounced in the MSI GF63. For 3D and gaming, however, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16's lower refresh rate may not provide as smooth an experience as desired by enthusiasts, though the MSI GF63 Thin, despite its fair resolution and panel type, also falls short in offering that high-refresh-rate gaming experience.
Battery
12.0 Hours
4.2 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 hours of battery life. The MSI GF63 Thin has 4.3 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.
Build Quality
7.2
6.5
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has good build quality, while the MSI GF63 Thin has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$930
$599
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $930 and the MSI GF63 Thin costs $599.
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Key similarities
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI GF63 Thin and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the MSI GF63 Thin compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A16 | MSI GF63 Thin |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$930 | $599 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | May 1, 2019 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.97'' | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.85'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.85 lbs | 4.1 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.92" | 9.99" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | Intel i5-10300H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 12 Hours | 4.25 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 51 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 | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 294 nits | 249 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
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 | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
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 GF63 Thin
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | January 2020
"If you leave aside the meagre port selection (no card reader, no DisplayPort, no Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1 Gen2), the fan control that could be improved (idle mode!) and the relatively dark and slow display, the MSI GF63 Thin 9SC does not have any major weaknesses. The 15-inch gamer is compact, has a low weight and offers a good price-to-performance ratio, which should please gamers that are looking for both a portable and an affordable gaming notebook. Input devices, battery life, case quality and performance are all appropriate for this purchase price."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 or the MSI GF63 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.
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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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