If portability and battery life are important for you, and you're focused on lighter tasks like document editing or web browsing, the ASUS Vivobook 14 is more suitable due to its lighter weight and longer battery life. However, if you require higher performance for 3D rendering, engineering simulations, or gaming, the MSI GF65 Thin with its powerful dedicated graphics card and faster processor is a better choice, albeit with a trade-off in portability and battery life. Keep in mind that the ASUS is often significantly less expensive, so if budget is a concern, it may be the preferred option. 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 Vivobook 14
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI GF65 Thin
Good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
6.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI GF65 Thin and ASUS Vivobook 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI GF65 Thin is somewhat better.
The ASUS Vivobook 14's Intel Iris Xe graphics and a lower screen refresh rate make it suitable for less-demanding gaming and 3D tasks, while the MSI GF65 Thin, equipped with an Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and a higher refresh rate, is better suited for more graphics-intensive uses but less portable due to its heavier build.
Software Development
6.8/10
6.3/10
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Vivobook 14 and MSI GF65 Thin are both only fair for software development, though the ASUS Vivobook 14 is somewhat better.
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
6.3/10
6.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The ASUS Vivobook 14 has a better screen than the MSI GF65 Thin for software development, while the MSI GF65 Thin has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The ASUS Vivobook 14 offers adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks but lacks the superior color gamut needed for precise engineering and design work; its lesser refresh rate hampers gaming and 3D applications. Similarly, the MSI GF65 Thin provides sufficient screen clarity for daily activities and standard design tasks, yet falls short in representing a wide color spectrum critical for professional-grade engineering and creative software, and its refresh rate is not optimal for the smooth rendering required in high-paced gaming and 3D modeling. Both laptops have screen qualities that meet basic requirements but don't excel in specialized areas like color accuracy for engineering and fast refresh rates for immersive 3D experiences.
Battery
7.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook 14 has 7 hours of battery life. The MSI GF65 Thin has 4.5 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The ASUS Vivobook 14 has very good portability, while the MSI GF65 Thin has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$421
$1,100
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The ASUS Vivobook 14 has a price of $421 and the MSI GF65 Thin costs $1,100.
The ASUS Vivobook 14 and MSI GF65 Thin are both only fair for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Engineering and Design
6.3/10
6.7/10
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The MSI GF65 Thin and ASUS Vivobook 14 are both only fair for engineering and design.
The MSI GF65 Thin outshines the ASUS Vivobook 14 in engineering and design use primarily due to its superior Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU, which offers robust performance for graphically intensive tasks, complemented by a high-contrast IPS screen, making it well-suited for detailed visual work. On the other hand, while the ASUS Vivobook 14 is equipped with an adequate Intel i5 processor and Iris Xe graphics, it's bested by the MSI's hardware capabilities, although it does offer better portability and potentially quieter operating noise, which can be beneficial for extended use in shared environments or on the go.
Content Creation
6.9/10
6.8/10
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Vivobook 14 and MSI GF65 Thin are both only fair 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.
Build Quality
7.0/10
6.7/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Vivobook 14 to have good build quality, while the MSI GF65 Thin 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 Vivobook 14 and the MSI GF65 Thin compare to other laptops
"The MSI GF65 Thin offers a GeForce RTX 3060 on a budget. The MSI GF65 is a relatively inexpensive RTX 3060 laptop and, perhaps not coincidentally, it also comes with a slower-than-average RTX 3060 GPU. Other laptops we've tested thus far with the same GPU are about 10 to 15 percent faster. CPU performance is also slightly slower than average unless if users decide to enable Cooler Boost mode. Colors, black-white response times, Thunderbolt, and DisplayPort are either average or completely omitted. Gamers who want to maximize performance-per-dollar without sacrificing RAM or SSD upgradeability will find the lightweight MSI GF65 attractive."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Vivobook 14 or the MSI GF65 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.
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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