Considering the tradeoffs between the ASUS Vivobook 17 and the MSI Modern 14, if you prefer a larger screen and a separate numeric keypad, the ASUS might suit you, but at the expense of a heavier and bulkier device which could be less convenient to carry around. The MSI, on the other hand, is more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight, and comes with more storage and RAM, potentially offering better overall performance and multitasking capability. Both have their strengths for general use; however, for tasks requiring better graphics performance like 3D modeling or engineering, neither is particularly strong, but the MSI may have a slight edge. If battery life is a critical factor, you should note that both laptops offer similar usage times per charge. 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 17
The ASUS Vivobook 17 has no clear advantages over the MSI Modern 14.
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
Good for software development
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.2/10
6.4/10
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
263.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The MSI Modern 14 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook 17 for general use, engineering and design, and content creation.
For general use, both the ASUS Vivobook 17 and MSI Modern 14 offer screens that are satisfactory due to adequate resolution and brightness but may lack in more premium panel types that enhance viewing experience. Considering engineering and design, these laptops provide acceptable quality as they cover a reasonable range of colors but might not reach the wider gamuts preferred for highly accurate color work. When it comes to 3D, gaming, and tasks that benefit from smoother visuals, the lack of high refresh rates on these models means they fall short for fast-paced action and rendering that avid gamers and professionals would benefit from.
Portability
Good
Very Good
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 has very good portability, while the ASUS Vivobook 17 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
The MSI Modern 14 and ASUS Vivobook 17 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Vivobook 17 is fair for general use with its larger screen yet lower battery life and portability, which can be less convenient for users who move around a lot, whereas the MSI Modern 14 is rated good, offering more RAM for multitasking and a more compact and lighter design conducive to mobility, coupled with better screen quality and heat management, making it a versatile choice for various environments and usage scenarios. Despite its adequate capabilities, the Vivobook's less powerful CPU and less RAM could limit performance during intensive tasks, while the MSI's superior processor and doubled RAM ensure smoother operation for demanding applications.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
6.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The MSI Modern 14 and ASUS Vivobook 17 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
6.3/10
6.6/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Modern 14 and ASUS Vivobook 17 are both only fair for engineering and design.
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
7.0/10
7.2/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Modern 14 and ASUS Vivobook 17 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
6.9/10
7.1/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Modern 14 to be good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook 17 is only fair.
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
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook 17 has 6 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
6.5/10
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Modern 14 to have good build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook 17 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$440
$430
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The ASUS Vivobook 17 has a price of $440 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $430.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Vivobook 17 and the MSI Modern 14 compare to other laptops
"The ASUS Vivobook 17 is an affordable 17-inch laptop with passive cooling. On one hand, you get a really quiet and cool work device with a good system performance, many connections, good maintenance options, speakers acceptable for multimedia enjoyment, and a sharp and clear matte FHD IPS display with the Asus VivoBook 17 (F712JA). On the other hand, the USB-C port lacks Power Delivery and DisplayPort, and the display, a higher brightness and better color space coverage."
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 17 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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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Laptops Expert
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