When considering the ASUS ZenBook 14 and the MSI Thin GF63, be aware the ASUS often comes at a lower price point, which could mean savings if you're budget-conscious; however, the MSI may offer superior performance, especially in tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning where higher-end specs are crucial. ASUS ZenBook 14's lightweight and compact design is excellent for portability and general use whereas the MSI Thin GF63, although still portable, may be slightly bulkier due to the hardware needed for its performance edge. Battery life typically favors ultrabooks like the ASUS, but if you need more power for intensive applications, the MSI could be worth the extra investment, despite possibly shorter battery life. 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 14
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Thin GF63
The MSI Thin GF63 has no clear advantages over the ASUS Zenbook 14.
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.1/10
6.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Thin GF63 and ASUS Zenbook 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Thin GF63 is somewhat better.
The MSI Thin GF63 offers a better gaming and 3D experience primarily because it has a dedicated Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate, which is key for smooth visuals in fast-paced games, versus the ASUS Zenbook 14 which utilizes an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU and has a lower refresh rate. Additionally, the MSI's CPU is higher-end compared to that of the ASUS, complementing its superior GPU and enhancing overall performance for demanding tasks.
Screen Quality
8.3/10
6.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
339.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a better screen than the MSI Thin GF63 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The ASUS Zenbook 14's superior resolution and panel type, alongside its higher brightness, make it more suitable for tasks related to general use and engineering, where clarity and color accuracy matter. However, its lack of a high refresh rate would be a limiting factor for gaming and 3D applications, where smooth motion is crucial. Conversely, the MSI Thin GF63 doesn't excel in any particular area, with just fair screen quality across the board due to its moderate resolution, brightness, and color range, which makes it less optimal for specialized tasks but serviceable for general use.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has 8 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has very good portability, while the MSI Thin GF63 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
6.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has 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.
Cost
$300
$1,400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a price of $300 and the MSI Thin GF63 costs $1,400.
The MSI Thin GF63 and ASUS Zenbook 14 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 offers a superior screen with OLED technology that provides vibrant colors and high contrast, beneficial for users who prioritize display quality; however, its battery life and portability are rated lower than the MSI Thin GF63. The MSI laptop boasts a more powerful CPU and double the RAM, which makes it a better performer for general use tasks, along with a larger storage capacity, but with a lower-rated screen that uses IPS technology and provides less vivid color representation and contrast than the Zenbook's OLED.
Engineering and Design
7.2/10
7.5/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Thin GF63 and ASUS Zenbook 14 are both good for engineering and design.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 is well-suited for engineering and design due to its OLED screen providing excellent color accuracy and contrast, bolstered by capable integrated graphics, while the MSI Thin GF63 offers a stronger CPU and a dedicated GPU suitable for more demanding tasks, though at the cost of higher weight and lower battery life, making it less portable. While both laptops have solid keyboards, their suitability for engineering and design largely stems from powerful processing units and quality displays, with Zenbook's OLED screen excelling in color-sensitive work and GF63's dedicated graphics handling compute-intensive applications.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.4/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Thin GF63 and ASUS Zenbook 14 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
7.2/10
7.2/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Thin GF63 and ASUS Zenbook 14 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.
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How the ASUS Zenbook 14 and the MSI Thin GF63 compare to other laptops
"Users who travel frequently and are looking for a portable laptop are in the right place with the Asus ZenBook 14. The sleek case is extremely light (1.2 kg) and surprisingly thin (1.5 cm). Outdoor use is also enjoyable thanks to the bright Full HD display, which is something that can rarely be said about laptops with TN or IPS panels. The excellent battery life complements this as well. Longer trips are no problem with the ZenBook 14. Another plus point is the high-performance Ryzen 7 5700U, which often leaves the Intel competition in the dust thanks to its large number of cores."
"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 Zenbook 14 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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