If affordability is a top concern and your needs revolve around general use like web browsing, office applications, and streaming video, the Gateway 15.6" could serve you well. However, if you need higher performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, gaming, or engineering software, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is more suitable despite its higher cost. The MSI may also offer better portability due to its smaller size, but this could come at the expense of battery life. Remember, investing in the MSI would mean paying more upfront for capabilities that you may or may not need. 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 15.6"
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.0/10
7.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Gateway 15.6" are both good for general use, though the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is somewhat better.
The Gateway 15.6" with its solid processor and ample RAM is well-suited for general use and regular multitasking, while its larger screen size and moderate battery life make it suitable for stationary use or short-term mobility. Conversely, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio boasts a higher-end processor and a powerful graphics card, which ensures smooth operation for a variety of tasks, and its compact size and longer battery life cater to users needing power and portability, though it comes at a higher price point.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
7.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is good for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio comes with a superior GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, enhancing gaming and 3D performance, while the Gateway 15.6" has lesser capabilities in these areas. Although the Gateway offers decent performance for its price, the MSI's investment in better graphics power and smoother visuals justifies its premium for serious gamers and professionals in 3D fields.
Engineering and Design
6.2/10
8.5/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is very good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The Gateway 15.6" has an older Intel i5 processor and integrated graphics, which offers fair performance for engineering and design tasks, whereas the MSI Stealth 14 Studio includes a more powerful Intel i7 processor and dedicated Nvidia graphics, greatly enhancing its capability for demanding software. Additionally, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio surpasses the Gateway in screen resolution and quality, displaying sharper and more accurate colors, which is crucial for design work, while still maintaining a lighter build for portability.
Content Creation
7.0/10
7.9/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Gateway 15.6" are both good for content creation, though the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is somewhat better.
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
6.7/10
7.4/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is good for software development, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
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
6.1/10
7.6/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has a better screen than the Gateway 15.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Gateway's fair screen quality reflects a balance between resolution and brightness, offering adequate clarity and visibility. In engineering and design, the Gateway's fair quality indicates it provides decent color accuracy necessary for precise work but may not cover the wider color gamuts fully. On the other hand, for gaming and 3D tasks, the poor screen quality of both laptops suggests they have lower refresh rates, which can result in less smooth visuals, although the MSI may still offer sharper images and better viewing angles due to its good resolution and panel type.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Gateway 15.6" has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Gateway 15.6" both have good portability, though the MSI Stealth 14 Studio has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.6/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has good build quality, while the Gateway 15.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$380
$1,432
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Gateway 15.6" has a price of $380 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio costs $1,432.
"Some concessions have to be made when shopping for a budget laptop. Walmart's Gateway Ultra Slim laptops succeeds on the affordability front and delivers serviceable specs and good battery life, though it's hard to claim it's the best (or even particularly good) at any particular aspect. Its build quality, especially the touchpad, is mediocre, and its performance is decent but doesn't lead the way. The Gateway does undercut the cost of some competitors and offers ample storage with good connectivity, so it's not to be ignored."
"You'll find a versatility in the MSI Stealth 14 Studio that isn’t matched by many content-creator laptops we've tested of late. The small frame allows you to (potentially) work from anywhere with an outlet and, if noise isn’t a concern, run your most demanding of programs, thanks to some powerful hardware inside. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is an attractive and powerful option if you want a portable laptop to be the center of your content work setup."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 15.6" or the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
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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