The Gigabyte A7 offers high performance for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, gaming and engineering because of its powerful CPU and GPU, but it’s more expensive and less portable with a heavier build and larger screen. The MSI Modern 14 is more budget-friendly, easier to carry due to its smaller size and lighter weight, and has a longer battery life, but it is not suited for demanding tasks as it's equipped with a less powerful processor and no dedicated gaming features. Consider the A7 if gaming or heavy multitasking is a priority, or the Modern 14 for everyday tasks and better portability. 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 Gigabyte A7
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good overall display quality
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
Very good portability
Good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.3/10
6.0/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Gigabyte A7 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The Gigabyte A7 outperforms the MSI Modern 14 for gaming and 3D applications primarily due to its superior Nvidia RTX 3060 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and higher screen refresh rate of 144 Hz, compared to the MSI's integrated AMD Vega 7 graphics and 60 Hz screen refresh rate. While the A7's screen offers better fluid motion for gaming, the MSI Modern 14's lighter frame and integrated GPU might suffice for less graphic-intensive tasks, but won't deliver the same level of performance for demanding gaming or 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
6.6/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Gigabyte A7 is good for engineering and design, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The Gigabyte A7 excels in engineering and design use due to its potent AMD Ryzen 7 processor, significant RAM, and particularly robust Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card, providing high performance needed for demanding applications. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14, while still capable with the same amount of RAM and a decent AMD Ryzen 5 processor, uses integrated graphics which are less powerful than a dedicated GPU like the RTX 3060, making it only fair for engineering and design tasks.
Screen Quality
7.3/10
6.4/10
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
318.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The Gigabyte A7 has a better screen than the MSI Modern 14 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Gigabyte A7 provides a satisfying visual experience with clear images and vibrant colors due to its higher resolution and brightness, while the MSI Modern 14 offers acceptable quality but might not be as sharp or bright. In engineering and design, the Gigabyte A7's superior color gamut accurately displays a wide range of colors, essential for precise work, whereas the MSI Modern 14, with a fair color range, may not represent colors as accurately. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fast-paced visuals are critical, the Gigabyte A7 falls short with a lower refresh rate, leading to potential motion blur, while the MSI Modern 14, although not optimized for these tasks, shares a similar limitation.
Battery
4.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Gigabyte A7 has 4.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Modern 14 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
Fair
Very Good
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 has very good portability, while the Gigabyte A7 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$940
$748
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Gigabyte A7 has a price of $940 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $748.
The Gigabyte A7 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use.
The Gigabyte A7's larger screen, higher refresh rate, and potent GPU make it a strong choice for general use where visual and performance factors are prioritized, though at a cost to battery life and portability. In contrast, the MSI Modern 14 offers better battery life and is more portable due to its lighter weight and smaller screen size, which may appeal to users needing a balance between performance and ease of carrying.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.2/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Gigabyte A7 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for content creation.
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
7.0/10
7.1/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Modern 14 and Gigabyte A7 are both good for software development.
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.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.0/10
The Gigabyte A7 and MSI Modern 14 both have good 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 Gigabyte A7 and the MSI Modern 14 compare to other laptops
"In terms of looks, the Gigabyte A7 X1 is certainly not a trendy, slim, and ultra-mobile gaming laptop. But it does what it's supposed to do, namely bringing games smoothly onto the screen, very well. Both the processor and the GeForce RTX 3070 are able to unleash their performance without restrictions thanks to the well-ventilated case. The Gigabyte A7 X1 brings modern games smoothly onto the screen and offers excellent maintenance options."
Alexander Tozzi, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | October 2023
"The MSI Modern 14 is okay for school use. It's very compact, so it's easy to carry around. It has a sharp display, a spacious keyboard, and a reasonably large touchpad. Its Intel 13th Gen CPU and integrated graphics can handle general productivity tasks like text processing and web browsing; however, don't expect to do anything intensive like 3D modeling or physics simulations. Unfortunately, the battery lasts less than five hours of light use, and the display doesn't get bright enough to combat glare."
Get a great deal on the Gigabyte A7 or the MSI Modern 14
About Gigabyte
Gigabyte is a Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer. While Gigabyte mainly focuses its business on desktop hardware, Gigabyte is known for its value-oriented G series laptops, thin and light Aero series, and performance-oriented Aorus series. Gigabyte laptops offer a strong value proposition to compete with mainstream alternatives.
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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