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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 offers higher storage and more memory which is beneficial for intensive engineering tasks and multitasking. Its processor and graphics are suitable for creative work but not as high-end for demanding 3D or machine learning tasks. Battery life is good, and the larger screen is a plus for productivity, though it may compromise portability. In contrast, the MSI Cyborg 15 has better graphics suitable for gaming and capable of handling some 3D and machine learning applications more effectively. It's also lighter and could be more portable, but it has less storage and memory, which might limit performance for heavy multitasking or demanding engineering software. The MSI comes at a lower price point, which could make it a more budget-friendly option for general use and gaming. 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 17
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Cyborg 15
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.3
7.3
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is very good for general use, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17, with a strong CPU and ample RAM, ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and has a high-quality screen, but it's less portable and has shorter battery life which may not suit those on the move; the MSI Cyborg 15, on the other hand, offers decent performance for general use and better portability with longer battery life, making it a more travel-friendly option, although it compromises slightly on screen size and powerhouse performance. Both laptops have good storage, keyboards, and manage speaker quality, operating noise, and heat well, impacting user experience moderately.
Engineering and Design
8.1
7.5
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is well-equipped for engineering and design with a high-performance CPU, substantial RAM, and a capable GPU, complemented by a quality screen perfect for detailed work, although less portable due to its larger size and weight. On the other hand, the MSI Cyborg 15, while more portable and with a higher refresh rate display, has less RAM and a less powerful CPU, but includes a superior GPU, which may appeal to users requiring intense graphical processing.
Content Creation
8.2
7.5
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Cyborg 15 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
7.9
7.2
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for software development, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is somewhat better.
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
7.2
6.8
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a better screen than the MSI Cyborg 15 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 offers a high-resolution display with vibrant colors, suitable for both general use where clarity and brightness provide comfortable viewing, and for engineering and design work where accurate color representation is crucial. However, its lower refresh rate can be a drawback for gaming and 3D applications, where a high refresh rate is essential for smooth motion. Conversely, the MSI Cyborg 15's screen may be adequate for everyday tasks and some design work, but its lesser color accuracy and also lower refresh rate leave it lacking for specialized tasks like precise color work in design or fluid motion in gaming and 3D modeling.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has 9 hours of battery life. The MSI Cyborg 15 has 7.5 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.
Cost
$1,500
$1,100
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a price of $1,500 and the MSI Cyborg 15 costs $1,100.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.9
7.2
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Cyborg 15 to be good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17's suitability for gaming and 3D tasks stems from its Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU, though its screen refresh rate is standard, while the MSI Cyborg 15 is equipped with a more powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, making it extremely competent for gaming and rendering 3D graphics. Both have IPS screens for solid image quality; however, the Cyborg's higher refresh rate gives it an edge in fast-paced gaming scenarios.
Portability
Good
Good
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
5.1 lbs
WEIGHT
4.3 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Cyborg 15 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 to have good build quality, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 and the MSI Cyborg 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 | MSI Cyborg 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,500 | $1,100 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.6'' x 10.2'' x 0.74'' | 14.2'' x 9.9'' x 0.9'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.18 lbs | 4.37 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.55" | 14.15" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.18" | 9.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX | Intel i7-12650H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 400 nits | 234 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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MSI Cyborg 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | April 2023
"The focus of the MSI Cyborg 15 lies on a compromise of performance, mobility, and power consumption. Due to the reduced performance settings, the CPU and GPU perform below their capabilities. Nonetheless, their computing power is still sufficient for FHD gaming at high to maximum settings even then. The power consumption, which is low for a gaming laptop, can be translated into a good battery life. Realistic values of 7 to 8 h are still possible, despite the relatively small battery capacity of 53.5 Wh. Unfortunately the USB-C port doesn't offer any support for Power Delivery, which would be a sensible feature in the case of the Cyborg."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 or the MSI Cyborg 15
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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