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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and the MSI Modern 14 depends on your needs and budget. If you require high performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, and you prioritize a top-tier display with superior color accuracy, the ASUS is a better choice despite a higher price and less portability due to its weight. On the other hand, the MSI is significantly lighter and less expensive, making it more suitable for general use and carrying around. However, it has a smaller screen size and less powerful graphics, which limits its capability for intensive tasks. The MSI also offers longer battery life, which is beneficial if you're frequently on the go. 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 Pro 16X
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
- Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.3
7.2
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
354.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for general use, while the MSI Modern 14 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X excels in general use due to its higher resolution OLED display, robust CPU and GPU combination, and vast storage, all contributing to a superior performance and visual experience, albeit with a tradeoff in portability and battery life. On the other hand, the MSI Modern 14 offers good general use capabilities with a lighter weight and better portability at the cost of lower screen quality and graphics performance.
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.0
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X offers superior gaming and 3D performance primarily due to its Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU which outclasses the integrated Vega 7 graphics in the MSI Modern 14. Additionally, the ASUS's OLED display with higher resolution provides better screen quality, although both laptops have the same screen refresh rate which is very important for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.6
6.6
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X outperforms the MSI Modern 14 in engineering and design use due to its superior main processor, dedicated Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card, and higher RAM and storage capacity, along with an OLED screen that offers better resolution, brightness, and color coverage, enhancing visual work such as CAD and 3D modeling. While the Zenbook's larger size and heavier weight affect its portability, the Modern 14 prioritizes portability with a lighter build and smaller screen but compromises on screen quality and lacks a dedicated GPU, impacting performance in demanding engineering applications.
Content Creation
8.5
7.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for content creation, while the MSI Modern 14 is good.
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
7.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for software development, while the MSI Modern 14 is good.
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
8.3
6.4
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
354.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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 Pro 16X offers a vibrant and sharp display, making it excellent for tasks like browsing and video streaming that benefit from high resolution and luminosity. For engineering and design, the Zenbook's wide color gamut ensures accurate color representation, crucial for professional photo editing and graphic design work. However, for gaming and 3D, the lower refresh rate of the Zenbook might lead to less fluid motion, while the MSI Modern 14's fair quality in all aspects makes it a balanced, albeit not specialized, choice for diverse tasks, though it too lacks the high refresh rate desired for gaming.
Portability
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 has very good portability, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
7.0
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and MSI Modern 14 both have good build quality, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,300
$525
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a price of $1,300 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has 7 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and the MSI Modern 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X | MSI Modern 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,300 | $525 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.7'' | 12.7'' x 8.7'' x 0.63'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.29 lbs | 3.08 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 12.68" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.88" | 8.74" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 96 Wh | 39 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 354 nits | 311 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | 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 | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | 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 Pro 16X
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NotebookCheck
Marc Herter, Alex Wätzel | November 2023
"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."
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 Pro 16X 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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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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