If you're looking to save money and need a laptop for everyday tasks, the ASUS Vivobook 16X could serve you well. However, if you work with demanding applications such as 3D rendering or machine learning, the MSI Stealth would provide better performance. Keep in mind, though, that the MSI's advanced features will cost more, and it might be heavier and have a shorter battery life, making the ASUS a more portable and convenient option for on-the-go use. Choose the MSI if high-end tasks are a priority, or stick with the ASUS for general use and better value. 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
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good battery life
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.6/10
8.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook 16X is good.
While both the ASUS Vivobook 16X and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio have capable CPUs and ample RAM for smooth multitasking, the MSI has a superior screen quality that makes it stand out for visual tasks. The Vivobook 16X, on the other hand, is lighter and offers better battery life, making it more suited for on-the-go use, although the Stealth's additional features like better storage, keyboard, speakers, and heat management partially justify its heavier build and shorter battery duration.
Gaming and AI
7.7/10
8.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
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 is very good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Vivobook 16X is good.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X is equipped with a capable GPU and a decent screen refresh rate that can handle most gaming and 3D tasks effectively, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio steps up with a top-tier GPU and higher screen refresh rate for smoother and more visually stunning gaming and 3D experiences. The ASUS offers good value for general use and moderate gaming, but if you prioritize the highest quality visuals and gameplay, the MSI, with its superior graphics and display capabilities, is the better investment despite its higher price point.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
9.1/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.5/10
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 Vivobook 16X is very good.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X is equipped with solid CPU, RAM, and GPU capabilities suitable for engineering tasks, with a quality screen that aids in design work, but the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio surpasses it with even higher-end components and superior screen quality for the most demanding engineering and design applications. However, the Vivobook 16X is generally lighter and more portable, with a quieter operating noise, making it a more comfortable choice for on-the-go use, while the Stealth's better performance may result in a tradeoff with increased weight and noise.
Content Creation
7.7/10
8.5/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook 16X is good.
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
7.4/10
8.2/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook 16X 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
7.3/10
8.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook 16X for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X offers a balance of clarity and color accuracy suitable for general work and engineering tasks, but its lower refresh rate may not satisfy the smooth visuals gamers seek in fast-paced environments. Meanwhile, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio provides a high-resolution display coupled with expansive color coverage, making it excellent for detail-oriented work in design and engineering, but like the Vivobook, its refresh rate falls short for the high-frame-rate demands of gaming and 3D applications. Both laptops prioritize work and creativity over gaming, with screens tailored to sharp imagery and color fidelity rather than the rapid motion handling that gamers often require.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0/10
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has very good build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook 16X has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,200
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has a price of $1,200 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
"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."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Vivobook 16X 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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