If you require a laptop with higher performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks, the ASUS Vivobook 16X, with its powerful Intel processor and RTX graphics card, would serve you well, yet it is less portable and heavier than the MSI Modern 14. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14 is more budget-friendly, lighter, and thus more portable, best suited for general use or business productivity with its AMD Ryzen processor and integrated graphics but falls short for gaming or intensive tasks. Both laptops offer similar screen resolutions, though the ASUS has a larger screen size and higher refresh rate, providing sharper visuals for multimedia and work. 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 16X
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
Very good portability
Good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7/10
6.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The ASUS Vivobook 16X is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X is considered good for gaming and 3D tasks largely because it sports a powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 120 Hz, both of which greatly contribute to a smooth and visually rich gaming experience. In comparison, the MSI Modern 14 falls into the fair category as it relies on the less powerful integrated AMD Vega 7 graphics and a standard screen refresh rate of 60 Hz, which might not deliver the same level of performance in gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
6.6/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Vivobook 16X is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.7/10
7.2/10
9.0/10
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 Vivobook 16X and MSI Modern 14 are both good for content creation, though the ASUS Vivobook 16X is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
7.3/10
6.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The ASUS Vivobook 16X 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 Vivobook 16X offers a high resolution and bright display, making it suitable for daily tasks and detail-oriented work in engineering and design due to accurate colors covering a broad spectrum. However, its refresh rate isn't high enough for the smooth visuals crucial in gaming and 3D applications. Meanwhile, the MSI Modern 14 provides adequate resolution and brightness that meets general use and engineering needs, but like the Vivobook, it falls short for gaming and 3D activities because of a lower refresh rate that doesn't support fast-paced imagery.
Portability
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 has very good portability, while the ASUS Vivobook 16X has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,200
$525
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has a price of $1,200 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X stands out for general use due to its higher performance CPU and GPU, which results in better overall system responsiveness and the ability to handle more demanding tasks; however, it is heavier and offers less portability compared to the MSI Modern 14, which, while lighter and offering excellent portability, may not perform as well in intensive tasks but still provides ample power for everyday activities, along with a good quality screen and longer battery life. Both laptops offer quality keyboards and are equipped with sufficient RAM and storage for general use, but the Vivobook boasts better heat management and speaker quality, contributing to a comfortable and immersive experience.
Software Development
7.4/10
7.1/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Vivobook 16X 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.
Battery
5.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has 5 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.
Build Quality
7.0/10
7.0/10
The ASUS Vivobook 16X 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Vivobook 16X and the MSI Modern 14 compare to other laptops
"I think the ASUS Vivobook 16X is fantastic. Great performance, decent battery life, good keyboard and trackpad, and a massive screen – just that the screen quality itself is kinda subpar. If you’re okay with the screen, then I think this is an okay laptop. However, I’d like to see a price drop."
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 Vivobook 16X 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.
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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