A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED's display trumps the MSI Modern 14 with higher resolution and OLED technology, offering vivid colors and deeper blacks, which is excellent for media consumption and creative work. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14 has a standard IPS screen, which is sufficient for everyday use. If having a top-of-the-line display is a priority, the ASUS has the edge. When it comes to performance, both laptops have comparable processors with capable integrated graphics. However, the MSI Modern 14 comes with more RAM out of the box, which is better for multitasking and can give it a slight advantage in performance. The ASUS has a larger battery, potentially offering longer use on a single charge, compared to the smaller battery in the MSI. Choosing the ASUS implies a preference for a premium display and possibly longer battery life, while opting for the MSI suggests a need for better multitasking capability and perhaps a lighter design for portability. 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 14X OLED
- Good for engineering and design
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
- The MSI Modern 14 has no clear advantages over the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED.
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.7
6.6
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED is good for engineering and design, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED is preferred for engineering and design due to its higher-resolution OLED display and graphics performance, making it suitable for detail-oriented tasks, despite it having less RAM than the MSI Modern 14. Although the MSI Modern 14 provides more RAM, which is beneficial for multitasking and engineering applications, its lower screen quality and color accuracy make it less ideal for design work.
Screen Quality
8.6
6.4
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
376.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has a better screen than the MSI Modern 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED offers a high-resolution OLED display which typically provides excellent color accuracy and contrast, benefiting tasks like graphic design and video editing that require precise color representation, though its lower refresh rate is less ideal for gaming. The MSI Modern 14, with a decent but not outstanding display, delivers adequate performance for day-to-day activities and professional work but may lack the color range and sharpness that dedicated design tasks demand. Neither is suited for gaming or 3D work, where the importance of high refresh rates is paramount for fluid motion, and both fall short in this aspect.
Build Quality
7.8
7.0
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and MSI Modern 14 both have good build quality, though the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$825
$525
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has a price of $825 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.2
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
376.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Gaming and AI
6.5
6.0
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and MSI Modern 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED offers decent gaming and 3D performance with its integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, OLED screen, and 120Hz refresh rate, but it won't match dedicated gaming laptops. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14 has an AMD Ryzen CPU with Vega 7 graphics, an IPS display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, making it fair for casual gaming, but not ideal for more demanding games and 3D applications.
Content Creation
7.6
7.2
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and MSI Modern 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
7.5
7.1
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and MSI Modern 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.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has 6 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
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 and ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and the MSI Modern 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED | MSI Modern 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$825 | $525 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.9'' x 0.67'' | 12.7'' x 8.7'' x 0.63'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.44 lbs | 3.08 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.67" | 12.68" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.88" | 8.74" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-13500H | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 70 Wh | 39 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2880 x 1800 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 376 nits | 311 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | September 2023
"While one of the more budget-friendly configurations of the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED may make a compelling case as a top value pick, it’s difficult to be disappointed with the more expensive model we reviewed here. At its core, for all models, it’s a luxury-built laptop with extreme portability and a gorgeous OLED display. Our unit rocks with a snappy Core i9 processor for getting real work done, and the discrete GPU—even if it has a clear power ceiling—is a bonus for creative pros."
MSI Modern 14
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Rtings
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 Zenbook 14X OLED 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.
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