If you're looking for a budget-friendly option for basic tasks like browsing the web, using office applications, and streaming video, the Gateway 11.6" laptop will serve your needs, and it's easy to carry around. However, if you need top-of-the-line performance for gaming, 3D rendering, or intensive engineering software, and don't mind spending more, the MSI Titan 18 HX, with its larger screen and more powerful hardware, will be far more capable. Just keep in mind that the MSI will be heavier and likely have a shorter battery life, making it less convenient for travel. 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 Gateway 11.6"
Excellent 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
5.6/10
8.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" laptop, with its modest CPU and RAM, may struggle with multitasking and demanding applications, and its small screen can make for a cramped viewing experience, though it's easier to carry around and typically has a longer battery life. On the other hand, the MSI Titan 18 HX boasts a powerful CPU and ample RAM, ensuring smooth performance and a high-quality, large screen conducive to detailed work, but this also means it's heavier, less portable, and may have a shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
9.4/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has a weaker GPU and lower screen refresh rate, making it unsuitable for gaming and 3D applications, whereas the MSI Titan 18 HX boasts a powerful GPU and high refresh rate screen, delivering a superior and smoother gaming and 3D experience. The MSI's stronger CPU and better screen quality also contribute to its performance edge over the Gateway.
Engineering and Design
5.4/10
9.9/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" laptop has limited CPU power, RAM, and a less capable GPU, which may struggle with demanding engineering software, and the smaller screen may not display detailed designs effectively. In contrast, the MSI Titan 18 HX boasts a powerful CPU, abundant RAM, a high-end GPU, and a large, high-quality screen ideal for complex tasks, albeit at the expense of portability and potentially higher operating noise.
Content Creation
5.7/10
9.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
4.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
8.9/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
9.2/10
11.6in
SIZE
18.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Gateway 11.6" laptop's lower resolution and dimmer display can make text and images less sharp and vibrant, which is less ideal for general use. In engineering and design, professionals need accurate colors, but this laptop's limited color range can affect the precision of visual work. Lastly, for gamers and those into 3D, the refresh rate on the MSI Titan 18 HX is not as high as desired for smooth motion, despite its superior resolution and panel type which can enhance clarity and detail.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Gateway 11.6" has 8 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
Excellent
Poor
11.6in
SIZE
18.0in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Gateway 11.6" has excellent portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
8.5/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX has very good build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$89
$4,800
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Gateway 11.6" has a price of $89 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,800.
"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 Gateway 11.6" or the MSI Titan 18 HX
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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