If cost is a major consideration and you value portability for everyday use, the Framework Laptop 13 is a practical choice with its lighter design and lower price. However, if you are focused on power for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, and don't mind the extra cost and reduced portability, the MSI Titan 18 HX offers superior performance and a larger display, making it well-suited for intensive use despite its shorter battery life and heavier build. 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
Very good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Titan 18 HX
Very good for general use
Best in class for engineering and design
Excellent for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Excellent for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Excellent speakers
Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.5/10
8.8/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
472.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
8.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for general use, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
The Framework Laptop 13, with its focus on modularity, offers a balance of decent CPU and RAM capabilities suitable for daily tasks, a quality screen, and greater portability due to its lightweight design, along with respectable battery life. In contrast, the MSI Titan 18 HX, designed for power users, provides superior CPU and RAM performance for more demanding applications and a higher quality screen, but at the expense of portability and battery life, although it includes ample storage and robust speakers, with an emphasis on managing heat and operational noise.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
9.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is only fair.
The Framework Laptop 13, while suitable for casual gaming, has a GPU that isn't as powerful as the MSI Titan 18 HX, which comes with a top-of-the-line GPU designed to handle demanding games and 3D applications with ease. Additionally, the Titan's higher screen refresh rate ensures smoother visuals, beneficial for fast-paced games, something the Framework's standard refresh rate screen can't match, despite its respectable screen quality and competent CPU.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
9.9/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
The Framework Laptop 13, with its emphasis on modularity, offers solid CPU, RAM, and screen quality for engineering tasks, but lacks the raw power of the MSI Titan 18 HX's superior GPU and larger screen, which are more suited for demanding engineering and design work. However, the Framework Laptop is more portable and customizable, with a quieter operating noise, while the MSI Titan, with its heftier build and possibly louder fans, trades off portability for top-tier performance and better speakers and keyboard quality.
Content Creation
7.5/10
9.0/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for content creation, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
7.6/10
8.9/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for software development, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
7.4/10
9.2/10
13.5in
SIZE
18.0in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
472.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Framework Laptop 13, with its high resolution and brightness, caters well to general use and engineering tasks that benefit from sharp images and clear visibility in various lighting conditions. Its screen supports substantial color ranges, vital for engineering and design work, ensuring accurate color representation. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its screen falls short because it lacks the high refresh rates these activities typically demand for smooth motion and reduced image tearing.
Battery
7.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX has 4 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
Poor
13.5in
SIZE
18.0in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX has very good build quality, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,079
$4,800
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a price of $1,079 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,800.
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) or the MSI Titan 18 HX
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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