If you're looking to save money and need a laptop for everyday tasks, the Gateway could be a more economical choice. On the other hand, if you require high performance for activities like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, investing in the MSI Stealth would provide much better capabilities. The MSI also likely offers a more robust build and higher-quality display, but it's less portable and has a shorter battery life compared to the Gateway. Consider what you'll primarily use the laptop for and whether the additional cost is justified by the need for advanced features and performance. 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 portability
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.0/10
8.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the Gateway 15.6" is good.
The Gateway 15.6" offers adequate processing power and memory for everyday tasks, with the benefit of being lighter and easier to carry, while its battery will get you through a good portion of the day without seeking a power outlet. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with its superior CPU and extra RAM, delivers a smoother experience for more demanding activities, boasting a higher resolution screen but at the expense of heavier weight and likely shorter battery life due to its more powerful components.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
8.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The Gateway 15.6" has a less powerful GPU and a lower screen refresh rate, making it less optimal for gaming and 3D applications compared to the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, which includes a high-end GPU and a higher refresh rate that enhance visual performance and responsiveness for these tasks. While both laptops have capable CPUs and good screen quality, the significant edge in graphical performance makes the MSI Stealth the superior choice for intensive gaming and 3D work.
Engineering and Design
6.2/10
9.1/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The Gateway 15.6" provides enough power for basic engineering tasks due to its moderate CPU, RAM, and GPU capabilities, and decent screen quality, yet it falls short for demanding work; in contrast, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with its superior CPU, higher RAM, and advanced GPU, excels in screen quality, making it ideal for intensive engineering and design applications. However, while the Gateway is more portable and could be quieter in operation, the MSI may offer a more robust keyboard and speaker system but is less portable due to increased size and weight.
Content Creation
7.0/10
8.5/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for content creation, while the Gateway 15.6" 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
6.7/10
8.2/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very 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
8.4/10
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI 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 15.6" provides adequate resolution and sufficient brightness, but may lack the sharpness and color depth offered by the MSI Stealth, which has a higher resolution and brighter display, enhancing image clarity and detail. In engineering and design, the MSI stands out with its superior color accuracy, offering expansive color gamuts that ensure precise color representation crucial for professional work, while the Gateway may fall short in providing true-to-life colors. When it comes to gaming and 3D, the MSI's lower refresh rate makes it less than ideal for smooth motion and fast-paced visuals, a drawback that isn't as critical for the Gateway, given its overall positioning away from such high-intensity applications.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Gateway 15.6" has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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.
Portability
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Gateway 15.6" has good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has very 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
$2,900
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Gateway 15.6" has a price of $380 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
"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."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 15.6" or the MSI Stealth 18 AI 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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