A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If your priority is gaming or other graphics-intensive tasks such as 3D modeling or video editing, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 with its more powerful processor and dedicated graphics card will serve you better, at the cost of being heavier and having shorter battery life. On the other hand, if you favor portability, longer battery life, and a lower price for everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, or watching videos, the MSI Modern 14 will meet your needs. The MSI is also thinner and lighter, making it ideal for carrying around. Keep in mind, however, that its integrated graphics and processor won't handle heavy workloads as well as the ASUS. 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 engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good overall display quality
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
- Very good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4
6.0
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
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
8.7/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is equipped with a more powerful GPU, the AMD RX 7600S, and has a higher screen refresh rate of 165 Hz, providing smoother visuals and better performance for gaming and 3D applications. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14 has an integrated GPU, using the Vega 7 graphics from the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U processor, and a standard refresh rate of 60 Hz, which means it can handle games and 3D tasks but not as effectively as the ASUS model.
Engineering and Design
7.7
6.6
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for engineering and design, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 trumps the MSI Modern 14 for engineering and design due to its superior CPU and GPU, which are crucial for demanding tasks and running complex software. While both laptops have the same amount of RAM and storage, the stronger processing power and dedicated graphics of the ASUS model will offer better performance for such specialized use, despite it being less portable and having a slightly noisier operation than the MSI Modern 14.
Screen Quality
7.5
6.4
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the MSI Modern 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 likely has a rich color display and sufficient brightness, making it appealing for general use and detailed engineering work, but its lower refresh rate is a drawback for fast-paced gaming where fluid visuals are key. The MSI Modern 14, with its fair screen quality, strikes a balance that is adequate for daily tasks and some light design work, but its color accuracy may not be as high, leaving professionals seeking precision to look elsewhere. For gaming and 3D applications, both models fall short with their poor refresh rates, a vital feature for rendering smooth motion in intense graphic scenarios.
Battery
12.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 hours of battery life. The MSI Modern 14 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
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 has very good portability, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$930
$525
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $930 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.2
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers robust performance with a powerful CPU and ample RAM, alongside a high refresh rate display that ensures smooth visuals, making it suitable for both gaming and general use; it also has a large battery for extended use but is less portable due to its size and weight. On the other hand, the MSI Modern 14 provides a more portable option with similar RAM and a good quality screen but with a less powerful processor and lower battery life, better suited for users who prioritize mobility and battery longevity for general productivity tasks.
Content Creation
7.6
7.2
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Modern 14 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
7.1
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Modern 14 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.
Build Quality
7.2
7.0
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Modern 14 both have good 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 Modern 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A16 | MSI Modern 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$930 | $525 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.97'' | 12.7'' x 8.7'' x 0.63'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.85 lbs | 3.08 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 12.68" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.92" | 8.74" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 12 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 39 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
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 | 311 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | Yes | |
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 Modern 14
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Dig into reviews and images
Rtings
Alexander Tozzi, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | October 2023
"The MSI Modern 14 is okay for school use. It's very compact, so it's easy to carry around. It has a sharp display, a spacious keyboard, and a reasonably large touchpad. Its Intel 13th Gen CPU and integrated graphics can handle general productivity tasks like text processing and web browsing; however, don't expect to do anything intensive like 3D modeling or physics simulations. Unfortunately, the battery lasts less than five hours of light use, and the display doesn't get bright enough to combat glare."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 or the MSI Modern 14
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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