The ASUS Vivobook S 15 offers a combination of solid performance, with a strong processor suitable for everyday use and demanding tasks. However, since it's often slightly more expensive than the MSI Thin GF63, you're paying more for performance and build quality. On the flip side, the MSI Thin GF63 packs dedicated graphics suitable for gaming and creative work that demands graphic processing, like video editing or 3D design. Although it may have slightly lesser battery life, and might be marginally heavier than the Vivobook, the MSI Thin GF63 could offer a more balanced option for gaming and general performance if those are your priorities. Both are capable, but your final choice should weigh your specific needs: portability and battery life for the ASUS, and gaming or graphics-intensive work for the MSI. 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 S 15
Good overall build quality
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Thin GF63
Good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
6.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
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
8.0/10
The MSI Thin GF63 and ASUS Vivobook S 15 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Thin GF63 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 has an integrated GPU and a standard screen refresh rate, making it fair for gaming and 3D, whereas the MSI Thin GF63 comes with a dedicated Nvidia GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which qualifies it as good for those tasks. While both have similar quality CPUs and screen types, the superior GPU and refresh rate of the MSI contribute significantly to a better gaming and 3D experience.
Screen Quality
6.3/10
6.8/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
267.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 has a better screen than the MSI Thin GF63 for content creation, while the MSI Thin GF63 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, both the ASUS Vivobook S 15 and the MSI Thin GF63 provide adequate display quality with sufficient resolution and brightness, but may not have the most vibrant panels, which is less of a concern for everyday tasks like browsing or office work. In engineering and design, while both laptops offer screens that can handle the necessary detail, they lack wide color gamuts necessary for precise color work, limiting their effectiveness for professional editing. When it comes to 3D and gaming, their displays fall short due to lower refresh rates and only fair resolution, diminishing the smoothness and immersiveness expected in high-paced gaming environments or detailed 3D rendering.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 has 9 hours of battery life. The MSI Thin GF63 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.
Cost
$908
$1,400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 has a price of $908 and the MSI Thin GF63 costs $1,400.
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 and MSI Thin GF63 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Vivobook S 15, with its ample storage, efficient CPU, and larger battery, is well-suited for extended general use, and its lighter weight enhances portability despite a standard screen refresh rate and moderate battery life. In contrast, the MSI Thin GF63, while slightly heavier, provides a superior high-refresh rate screen, which may be preferable for smooth visuals, along with a robust CPU and dedicated graphics unit for more demanding software, but it compensates with less storage and shorter battery life.
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
7.5/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Thin GF63 and ASUS Vivobook S 15 are both good for engineering and design.
The ASUS Vivobook S 15's AMD Ryzen CPU and integrated Vega GPU provide substantial power for engineering and design tasks, along with a higher-resolution screen for detail-oriented work; however, the MSI Thin GF63, while not as storage-rich, boasts a more advanced Intel CPU and dedicated Nvidia GPU, offering higher graphical performance, which is crucial for computationally intensive design tasks, but at the cost of less battery life and a bulkier build.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.4/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 and MSI Thin GF63 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
7.4/10
7.2/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 and MSI Thin GF63 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 and MSI Thin GF63 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0/10
6.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Vivobook S 15 to have good build quality, while the MSI Thin GF63 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 S 15 and the MSI Thin GF63 compare to other laptops
"Internals make Asus VivoBook S15 laptop a compelling option. The Asus multimedia laptop may look rather below-average with its modest black chassis, lack of a dedicated GPU, limited RAM and meagre port selection without Thunderbolt support. But your impression of the device will start changing once you set your eyes on its high-contrast OLED capable of producing deep blacks and highly accurate colours. And your opinion will change completely when the VivoBook is switched on. The AMD CPU can effortlessly keep up with powerful rivals from Intel. The integrated Radeon graphics blows away Intel's iGPU when it comes to graphics workloads such as rendering and simpler games."
"The MSI GF63 Thin 11SC can be an admirable value for gamers and power users on a minimal budget. For just $599 as reviewed in its base model, its Intel Core i5 H-class processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics perform much better than low-wattage CPUs and integrated graphics. That said, this is a light-class gaming laptop. Low scores in our demanding gaming benchmarks indicate using lower visual-quality settings will be required for playable performance."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Vivobook S 15 or the MSI Thin GF63
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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