The Gigabyte A7 is typically less expensive and offers a larger 17.3-inch display, which might be better for immersive gaming or multitasking but can compromise portability due to its larger size and heavier weight. In contrast, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, while usually at a higher price, comes with a more compact 14-inch screen and lighter build, making it more convenient to carry around. Performance-wise, the Stealth has a newer graphics card, the RTX 4060, which generally provides better performance than the A7's RTX 3060, especially in newer games or more demanding applications. Additionally, the Stealth has a higher resolution display contributing to sharper visuals, and a more recent release date, which might indicate more up-to-date hardware and features. However, its battery capacity is higher, likely leading to longer usage times away from an outlet. So, if budget is a main concern and you want a bigger screen for gaming or productivity at home, the Gigabyte A7 is a solid choice, but if you're looking for better graphics performance, portability, and a newer model, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio could be worth the extra cost. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Gigabyte A7
The Gigabyte A7 has no clear advantages over the MSI Stealth 14 Studio.
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
Very good for engineering and design
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.3/10
7.8/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Gigabyte A7 are both good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is somewhat better.
The Gigabyte A7 boasts a powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and a 144 Hz screen refresh rate suited for smooth gameplay on its larger 17.3-inch screen, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio steps up with an even more potent Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a higher 165 Hz refresh rate on its 14-inch display, promising not only fluid visuals but also a more portable design. Although both have competent CPUs and high-quality screens, the MSI's latest graphics chip and superior screen specs offer a more advanced gaming and 3D experience at the cost of a smaller display size.
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
8.5/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
7.3/10
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 Gigabyte A7 is good.
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio boasts a higher-end GPU and a newer CPU than the Gigabyte A7, contributing to its higher capability in engineering and design, where computing power is very important. Additionally, the MSI has a higher resolution and a more color-accurate screen which is vital for design work, but it is also lighter and thinner, making it more portable despite potentially louder operating noise and less efficient heat management.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.9/10
7.4/10
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 Gigabyte A7 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.
Screen Quality
7.3/10
7.6/10
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
318.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has a better screen than the Gigabyte A7 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Gigabyte A7 offers a high-resolution display with solid brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. Its adherence to wide color gamuts appeals to engineers and designers who require color accuracy for their work. However, the lower refresh rate holds it back for gaming and 3D applications, where smoother visuals are critical.
Portability
Fair
Good
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has good portability, while the Gigabyte A7 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$940
$1,432
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Gigabyte A7 has a price of $940 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio costs $1,432.
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Gigabyte A7 are both good for general use.
The Gigabyte A7 with its larger screen and dedicated numeric keypad offers a comfortable setup for general use, plus ample storage and good speaker quality; however, it's heavier and has shorter battery life compared to the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, which boasts a higher resolution and more portable design, suitable for on-the-go use with a longer battery life and better heat management, but it may not be as comfortable for extended numeric data entry due to the lack of a numeric keypad.
Software Development
7.0/10
7.4/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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.
Battery
4.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Gigabyte A7 has 4.5 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.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.6/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Gigabyte A7 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gigabyte A7 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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."
"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 Gigabyte A7 or the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
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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