Updated January 10, 2024·Prices updated 24 hours ago
If you prioritize performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI Stealth GS66, with its more powerful processor and GPU, would be a better choice, although it's more expensive and has a shorter battery life than the ASUS Zenbook 14. However, if portability, battery life, and a lower price are more important, especially for general use, the ASUS Zenbook 14 is lightweight and more affordable but less suited for intensive tasks due to its less powerful components. Neither laptop is well-suited for on-the-go gaming sessions as both have limited battery life while performing such tasks. 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 portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Stealth GS66
Good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.4/10
7.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
280.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
8.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS66 is good for general use, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is only fair.
The ASUS ZenBook 14, while lightweight and highly portable, may lag behind in performance due to its CPU and RAM compared to the MSI Stealth GS66, which offers more power for resource-intensive tasks but at the cost of reduced battery life and increased weight. The ZenBook's screen quality, storage, and quieter operation make it an attractive option for everyday tasks, whereas the Stealth's superior keyboard, speaker quality, and cooling system cater to users needing more robust capabilities for demanding applications.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
7.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS66 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 typically has a less powerful GPU and a standard screen refresh rate, making it adequate for gaming and 3D tasks but lacking the smooth visuals and responsiveness required for more demanding applications. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth GS66 is equipped with a high-end GPU and a high refresh rate screen, offering enhanced performance and a more immersive experience for sophisticated gaming and 3D work.
Engineering and Design
6.3/10
8.2/10
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Stealth GS66 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is only fair.
The MSI Stealth GS66 typically offers higher CPU and GPU capabilities, more RAM, and superior screen quality, which are crucial for demanding engineering and design tasks, whereas the ASUS ZenBook 14 provides a balance between performance and portability but may not handle intensive tasks as smoothly. While both laptops have quality keyboards and speakers, the ASUS ZenBook 14 is lighter and quieter, making it more suitable for on-the-go use and environments where operating noise is a concern.
Content Creation
6.8/10
7.7/10
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth GS66 is good for content creation, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is only fair.
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
6.4/10
7.5/10
4.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS66 is good for software development, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 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.
Screen Quality
6.7/10
8.1/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
280.0 nits
The MSI Stealth GS66 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 provides a balance of resolution and brightness suitable for everyday tasks, but for engineering and design, its color accuracy across wide color gamuts is beneficial, though it falls short for gaming with a lower refresh rate. The MSI Stealth GS66 also offers clarity and brightness for routine activities and decent color representation for professionals in engineering and design, but gamers may find the refresh rate lacking for a smooth visual experience. Both laptops have strengths in general use and creative tasks but are not optimized for the high refresh rate demands of gaming and 3D applications.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has very good portability, while the MSI Stealth GS66 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth GS66 has very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$570
$1,799
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a price of $570 and the MSI Stealth GS66 costs $1,799.
"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 Stealth GS66 is powerful enough for QHD. The Core i7-12700H and the GeForce RTX 3070 Ti found in the 12UGS model that we tested run all modern games smoothly in the native QHD resolution. The 15-inch display is very fast with its 240 Hz refresh rate, and it also offers a great color space (almost 100% DCI-P3) on top of that, which should please gamers as well as content creators, although we would have still wished for a higher brightness. Case, input devices, and connectivity (Thunderbolt 4) are at a good level. However, among other things, the GS66 loses points due to the high temperature development in 3D mode and its poor webcam."
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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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