The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is generally less expensive and offers a 16-inch OLED touchscreen with a higher resolution and color accuracy, which is ideal for creative professionals who prioritize display quality. It has an Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics, making it capable for general use and some engineering applications. The MSI GE66 Raider is more expensive but packs a more powerful Intel i9 processor and Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti graphics, suitable for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks. It has a 15.6-inch IPS display that supports higher refresh rates for smoother visuals in fast-paced games. The Raider also doubles the RAM, offering better multitasking capabilities. Both have similar battery life for typical use, but the Zenbook's OLED screen and portability might make it a better choice for on-the-go use and media work, while the Raider's gaming-oriented features make it a powerhouse for those needing top-tier performance. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI GE66 Raider
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good overall build quality
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.5/10
8.6/10
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.2/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI GE66 Raider is very good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is good.
The MSI GE66 Raider outperforms the Asus Zenbook Pro 16X in gaming and 3D tasks primarily because it has a more powerful GPU with the Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti compared to the Asus's RTX 3060, and it boasts a higher screen refresh rate, ideal for smooth gameplay and rendering at 120Hz versus the Asus's 60Hz, enhancing visual fluidity and gaming responsiveness.
Screen Quality
8.3/10
8.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
354.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
347.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a better screen than the MSI GE66 Raider for general use, and engineering and design, while the MSI GE66 Raider has a better screen for gaming and AI.
When considering general use, both the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and MSI GE66 Raider offer high-resolution displays with ample brightness and panel types that render sharp images and vibrant colors, ensuring a crisp and enjoyable visual experience. For engineering and design tasks, color accuracy is paramount, and these laptops' screens cover a wide range of color gamuts, providing the precision needed for detailed work. However, for gaming and 3D applications which require fast screen updates, these laptops fall short as they lack high refresh rates, meaning they aren't as smooth in displaying rapid movements or actions.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.2 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has good portability, while the MSI GE66 Raider has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.5/10
The MSI GE66 Raider has very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,300
$3,199
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a price of $1,300 and the MSI GE66 Raider costs $3,199.
The MSI GE66 Raider and ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X are both very good for general use.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X offers a delightful balance for general users with its high-quality OLED screen, ample storage, and decent battery life, wrapped in a lightweight design that enhances portability. The MSI GE66 Raider, while slightly heavier, caters to power users with a superior processor, double the RAM for multitasking, and a high-refresh-rate IPS screen that, combined with advanced heat management, makes it a stellar choice for both work and play.
Engineering and Design
8.6/10
9.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GE66 Raider to be excellent for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X, with its OLED screen, offers vibrant colors and contrast, making it suitable for design work, but the MSI GE66 Raider's superior CPU, higher RAM, and more powerful GPU make it more suitable for complex engineering applications and intensive design work that require top-tier performance. Moreover, the Zenbook's battery life and lighter design enhance portability and on-the-go use, while the Raider's focus on raw performance with a higher screen refresh rate favors stationary use, where its heavier build and louder operating noise are less of a concern.
Content Creation
8.5/10
8.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and MSI GE66 Raider are both very 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
8.2/10
8.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The MSI GE66 Raider and ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X are both very 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
7.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has 7 hours of battery life. The MSI GE66 Raider 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.
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How the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and the MSI GE66 Raider compare to other laptops
"The new Zenbook Pro 16X is more powerful, quieter and doesn't need to shy away from dedicated workstations and gamers. It is also comparatively compact, and our test device is the best Zenbook that we've reviewed so far. It seems equally suitable for content creators and gamers or anyone looking for a very powerful laptop that is still slim."
"The MSI Raider GE66 12UHS notebook passes with flying colors. The GE66 is a high-end notebook with strong performance. The keyboard and trackpad are still very good and score well with precise inputs as well as high build quality. Thanks to a new liquid metal cooling solution, the Intel Core i9 12900HK brings a performance increase of around 50 percent over the predecessor's Intel Core i9 10980HK. The installed graphics card in our device delivers up to 30 percent higher frame rates than the RTX 2070 Super in the MSI GE66 10SFS."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X or the MSI GE66 Raider
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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