When choosing between the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, consider how you will use the laptop. If you're looking for a gaming laptop and cost is a significant factor, the ASUS is a more budget-friendly option but may be bulkier and have a shorter battery life than the MSI. The MSI, while more expensive, is designed for high-performance tasks like 3D work, machine learning, or intensive engineering software, offering a more powerful system for those applications. It's also more portable, with a slimmer build and potentially longer battery life, making it better suited for on-the-go use. 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 A17
Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.1/10
8.9/10
8.9/10
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
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS TUF Gaming A17 are both very good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is somewhat better.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 with its robust GPU and high screen refresh rate excels in gaming and can handle 3D applications well, offering a balance of performance and display fluidity vital for fast-paced games. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, on the other hand, provides superior GPU performance and top-notch screen quality, making it particularly adept for the most demanding gaming and 3D tasks, although this may come at a higher cost.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
9.1/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.9/10
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 Gaming A17 is very good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 packs a powerful CPU and GPU combo which handles intensive engineering tasks well, along with a high-quality screen, but falls short compared to the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio which offers top-tier CPU and GPU performance and superior RAM for even more demanding design work. While the ASUS may be more budget-friendly and slightly more portable, the MSI provides a better keyboard, quieter operation, and enhanced speakers, making it the more premium choice for extensive engineering and design manipulation.
Software Development
7.7/10
8.2/10
9.2/10
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 Gaming A17 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
6.8/10
8.4/10
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
253.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 likely offers a good balance of resolution and brightness which makes it suitable for general purposes and engineering tasks where detail and color accuracy matter, but its lower refresh rate may not provide the optimal experience for gaming and 3D applications that benefit from smoother motion. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with its higher resolution and wider color gamut, excels for detailed work in engineering and general use, ensuring sharp images and accurate colors, but like the ASUS, it falls short for gaming and 3D due to a refresh rate that doesn't keep up with fast-paced visuals. For users focused on productivity and creative work, the MSI is preferable, while those emphasizing gaming should consider alternative options with higher refresh rates.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has 10 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.
Build Quality
7.2/10
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has very good build quality, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,552
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a price of $1,552 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and ASUS TUF Gaming A17 are both very good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 offers solid performance with a capable CPU and ample RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and general usage, while its screen quality and keyboard are satisfactory for everyday tasks. Despite heavier weight affecting portability, both the ASUS and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio maintain considerable battery life, with the MSI delivering a higher screen resolution beneficial for detailed work, enhanced by excellent heat management and quieter operating noise, although at a higher price point.
Content Creation
8.1/10
8.5/10
9.2/10
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 and ASUS TUF Gaming A17 are both very 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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
"There is one big question that needs an answer. Is the TUF Gaming A17 FA707 a better purchase than the ROG Strix G17 G713R (2022)? Well, it depends. Undoubtedly, the Strix is the more premium product. Arguably the biggest advantage it has over its TUF fellow is in regards to the display. ASUS TUF Gaming A17 A707’s IPS panel has a Full HD resolution, comfortable viewing angles, and a very good contrast ratio."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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