If your priority is price and basic tasks like browsing and light office work, the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is a more budget-friendly option. However, you trade off performance and screen quality compared to the MSI Modern 14, which is better suited for more intensive tasks such as graphic design or multitasking with its more powerful processor and higher resolution display. The MSI Modern 14 also has a larger screen and a more substantial build, which may be less portable than the lighter, more compact ASUS. If you often work on the go or have light usage needs, the ASUS might be a good fit; if you require more robust performance and features, the MSI may be worth the extra cost. 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 Go 12
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
Good for general use
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
7.2/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The MSI Modern 14 is good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12, with its limited storage, lower RAM, basic Intel Celeron processor, lower-resolution TN screen, and lower battery life, is less suitable for general use compared to the MSI Modern 14, which offers more storage, higher RAM, a more powerful AMD Ryzen processor, a high-resolution IPS screen for better viewing angles and color, and a portability that, while slightly less than the ASUS, still maintains good battery life.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
6.0/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The MSI Modern 14 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is hampered in gaming and 3D performance due to its basic Intel UHD Graphics 600 and a lower-grade TN panel display, both of which are less suitable for graphically intense tasks and provide a poorer visual experience. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14 fares better with a more capable integrated AMD Ryzen 5 7530U Vega 7 GPU and a higher quality IPS display, offering better graphics handling and screen fidelity.
Engineering and Design
5.3/10
6.6/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Modern 14 is only fair for engineering and design, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is limited in engineering and design tasks due to its weaker CPU, lower RAM, and basic integrated GPU, all of which are important for such software's demands; additionally, the laptop's lower screen resolution and TN panel offer less clarity and color accuracy compared to higher-quality screens. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14 is better suited for these tasks because it has a stronger CPU, more RAM, and a more capable integrated GPU, alongside a higher-resolution IPS panel, which provides better color representation and viewing angles, making it more appropriate for engineering and design use.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Modern 14 is good for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
5.7/10
7.1/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Modern 14 is good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
5.1/10
6.4/10
11.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The MSI Modern 14 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, where clarity and readability are key, the MSI Modern 14 offers a balance of resolution and brightness, outperforming the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 which may appear dimmer and less crisp. In engineering and design tasks, color accuracy is vital; the MSI Modern 14's capability to represent a wider range of colors is more suitable than the Vivobook Go 12, which falls short in this aspect. When it comes to gaming or working with 3D applications, the refresh rate becomes critical for smooth visuals; the Vivobook Go 12 lags in providing the fluidity that MSI Modern 14's fair qualities can, despite both being suboptimal for high-end gaming or professional 3D work due to moderate resolution and panel type.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has 10 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.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
11.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has excellent portability, while the MSI Modern 14 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.0/10
The MSI Modern 14 has good build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$267
$525
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has a price of $267 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
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 Go 12 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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