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Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the ASUS Zenbook 13 and the MSI Cyborg 15, consider portability and performance for different tasks. The ASUS Zenbook 13, being lighter with a longer battery life and an OLED screen, is ideal for on-the-go general use, especially where vibrant colors are important. However, for those looking to perform 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI Cyborg 15 offers a more powerful Intel processor and Nvidia graphics, along with a higher refresh rate IPS screen, but at the cost of more weight and shorter battery life. The ASUS is sleeker and more business-oriented, while the MSI, with its gaming laptop appearance, caters to performance-driven users who might not prioritize portability as highly. 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 Zenbook 13
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Cyborg 15
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2
7.2
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.3/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Cyborg 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook 13 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook 13, with its integrated AMD graphics, can manage light gaming and 3D tasks but falls short for more demanding ones due to the less powerful GPU compared to the MSI Cyborg 15, which sports a dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics card and higher screen refresh rate that significantly enhance gaming and 3D performance. While both have similar screen qualities and CPUs that can handle general use, the MSI's GPU and refresh rate advantages make it a better fit for gamers and those working with intensive 3D applications.
Screen Quality
7.8
6.8
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
378.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a better screen than the MSI Cyborg 15 for general use, and engineering and design.
The ASUS Zenbook 13 likely has a higher resolution and brighter screen, which makes text and images sharp and easy to view, improving the experience for general use and detailed work in engineering and design. Its color accuracy and wide color gamuts are essential for professionals who need precise color representation. However, the Zenbook's lower refresh rate may lead to less smooth visuals in fast-paced gaming and 3D environments where the MSI Cyborg 15's likely higher refresh rate, despite average resolution and panel type, would provide a more fluid experience.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has 9 hours of battery life. The MSI Cyborg 15 has 7.5 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.
Portability
Excellent
Good
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.3 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has excellent portability, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
6.7
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has good build quality, while the MSI Cyborg 15 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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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.3
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
378.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Zenbook 13 is praised for general use because it offers a high-quality OLED screen, excellent portability with a lightweight design, and long battery life, all backed by a capable AMD Ryzen processor and sufficient RAM. On the other hand, the MSI Cyborg 15, despite being less portable due to its larger size and weight, also qualifies for general use, providing a more powerful Intel CPU and dedicated Nvidia graphics, a good IPS screen, and decent battery life, making it suitable for more demanding applications alongside general use.
Engineering and Design
7.1
7.5
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The MSI Cyborg 15 and ASUS Zenbook 13 are both good for engineering and design.
The ASUS Zenbook 13, with its AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and Vega 8 GPU, offers adequate performance for engineering and design, but the MSI Cyborg 15's more powerful Intel i7 CPU and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU make it better suited for such tasks. Both have similar RAM and storage, but the MSI's superior GPU and CPU significantly enhance capabilities needed for engineering and design software that requires more processing power.
Content Creation
7.6
7.5
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook 13 and MSI Cyborg 15 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
7.3
7.2
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 and MSI Cyborg 15 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.
Cost
$920
$924
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a price of $920 and the MSI Cyborg 15 costs $924.
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How the ASUS Zenbook 13 and the MSI Cyborg 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook 13 | MSI Cyborg 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$920 | $924 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8'' x 0.55'' | 14.2'' x 9.9'' x 0.9'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.55 lbs | 4.37 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 14.15" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.99" | 9.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5700U | Intel i7-12650H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 67 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 378 nits | 234 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
ASUS Zenbook 13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sebastian Bade | May 2021
"The Asus ZenBook 13 is a compact 13-inch laptop with a fast Ryzen 7 5800U and OLED display. The subnotebook is also light and the modern design is convincing. The selection of high-quality materials make the device not only light, but also very stable. In addition, the visuals and haptics of the device offers a high-quality impression. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U is a very good fit for the ZenBook 13, ensuring a high performance in the test. However, in terms of the 3D performance, we also notice that the Vega architecture is beginning to hit its limits."
MSI Cyborg 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | April 2023
"The focus of the MSI Cyborg 15 lies on a compromise of performance, mobility, and power consumption. Due to the reduced performance settings, the CPU and GPU perform below their capabilities. Nonetheless, their computing power is still sufficient for FHD gaming at high to maximum settings even then. The power consumption, which is low for a gaming laptop, can be translated into a good battery life. Realistic values of 7 to 8 h are still possible, despite the relatively small battery capacity of 53.5 Wh. Unfortunately the USB-C port doesn't offer any support for Power Delivery, which would be a sensible feature in the case of the Cyborg."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook 13 or the MSI Cyborg 15
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.
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