The Gigabyte Aorus 7 offers solid performance for general use and some gaming without breaking the bank, but if you're into heavy gaming, 3D design, or engineering simulations and can afford a premium, the MSI Titan 18 HX packs more power and high-end features suitable for those tasks. However, keep in mind the Titan is heavier and less portable than the Aorus, which could be a downside if you frequently move around. Additionally, higher performance laptops like the Titan often have shorter battery life, so consider how often you'll be near a power outlet when using the laptop. 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 Aorus 7
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
7.6/10
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
351.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
6.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for general use, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 is good.
The Gigabyte Aorus 7 offers a capable CPU and ample RAM for everyday tasks, with a decent screen and reasonable portability, but its battery life may not last as long as some desire. In contrast, the MSI Titan 18 HX boasts top-tier CPU performance and an expansive high-quality screen, with a keyboard and speakers that enhance user experience significantly; however, it's less portable, and its powerful components may lead to shorter battery life and more heat generation.
Gaming and AI
7.8/10
9.4/10
8.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 is good.
The Gigabyte Aorus 7, while suitable for gaming and 3D applications, is often outperformed by the MSI Titan 18 HX due to the latter's superior GPU which delivers smoother and more detailed visuals, especially important in fast-paced gameplay reflected in its higher screen refresh rate. The screen quality and CPU of both laptops are competent, but the clear advantage goes to the MSI for users prioritizing top-tier gaming performance.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
9.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 is very good.
The MSI Titan 18 HX, with a top-tier CPU, ample RAM, and a high-end GPU, offers performance for the most demanding engineering tasks, as well as a superior screen quality for detailed designs. The Gigabyte Aorus 7, while still powerful, trades a bit of performance for better portability and is more suitable for less resource-intensive projects, offering a balance of solid screen quality, comfortable keyboard, and quieter operation.
Content Creation
7.6/10
9.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for content creation, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 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
7.4/10
8.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for software development, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 is good.
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
8.3/10
9.2/10
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
351.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aorus 7 has a better screen than the MSI Titan 18 HX for gaming and AI, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the MSI Titan 18 HX stands out due to its superior panel type, higher resolution, and brighter display, which translates to crisper, more vivid, and easily viewable content. In engineering and design, the Titan's coverage of color gamuts ensures true-to-life colors, essential for precision work, whereas the Aorus 7 offers a decent but less accurate color representation. However, both laptops fall short for 3D and gaming because they lack high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth movement and gameplay, despite having adequate resolution and panel types.
Battery
6.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Gigabyte Aorus 7 has 6 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
Fair
Poor
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Gigabyte Aorus 7 has only fair portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.5/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX has very good build quality, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,190
$4,800
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Gigabyte Aorus 7 has a price of $1,190 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,800.
"The Gigabyte Aorus 7 is a gaming laptop that is pitched at perhaps the hardest market to get right: the mid-range. So, unlike high-end gaming laptops that can throw the latest and greatest components together in a bid to attract gamers with plenty of money to spend, or budget gaming laptops that can make wise cuts that are justified as long as the price is low enough, mid-rangers like the Gigabyte Aorus 7 have to balance the two."
"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 Gigabyte Aorus 7 or the MSI Titan 18 HX
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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