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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between laptops like the HP Victus and the MSI Stealth, consider how you'll use the device. The HP Victus offers a more budget-friendly option, which might suffice for everyday tasks and moderate gaming but may lag in demanding applications like 3D rendering or high-end gaming. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth is likely pricier due to higher performance specifications suitable for intensive tasks like engineering software, machine learning, and high-resolution gaming. It may also have a sleeker design for better portability but possibly at the expense of shorter battery life compared to the HP. Choose the MSI if performance and portability are priorities; opt for the HP for general use without straining your budget. 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 HP Victus 15
- 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
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.3
8.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
262.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the HP Victus 15 is good.
The HP Victus 15 delivers dependable performance for everyday tasks with sufficient processing power and memory, making it suitable for general use; its portability and battery life allow for easy on-the-go use, though the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio stands out with a higher-quality screen and even stronger CPU capabilities, better suiting power users who prioritize performance and display over portability. While both laptops have adequate storage, keyboard, and speakers, with attention paid to operating noise and heat management, the MSI is also a step ahead in these areas, reflecting its alignment with the more demanding needs of creative professionals.
Gaming and AI
6.4
8.9
3.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
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 HP Victus 15 is only fair.
The HP Victus 15, while capable of running games and 3D applications, has a less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate, leading to less smooth and immersive experiences compared to the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, which boasts a high-tier GPU and a high refresh rate screen, providing top-notch visuals and fluidity in gaming and 3D scenarios. Although both have decent CPUs and screen quality, the superior screen attributes and GPU of the MSI make it a superior choice for demanding gaming and 3D work.
Engineering and Design
6.7
9.1
8.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the HP Victus 15 is only fair.
The HP Victus 15 has suitable processing power, memory, and a decent graphics card for engineering tasks, plus a good screen for design work, making it a practical choice for users with moderate demands. In comparison, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio offers superior processing power, more memory, a high-end graphics card, and exceptional screen quality, all of which are highly advantageous for more complex engineering and design projects, albeit at the expense of being less portable and potentially louder under heavy usage.
Content Creation
7.2
8.5
8.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for content creation, while the HP Victus 15 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
7.0
8.2
8.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for software development, while the HP Victus 15 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
6.9
8.4
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
262.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the HP Victus 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the HP Victus 15 offers satisfactory clarity and visibility due to its decent resolution and brightness, making it comfortable for everyday tasks like browsing and document editing. Engineering and design professionals may find the MSI Stealth 18 more suitable, as its superior color accuracy and wider color gamuts ensure precise color representation critical for their work. However, both the HP Victus 15 and MSI Stealth 18 fall short for gaming and 3D applications, where high refresh rates are crucial for smooth motion, and neither of these laptops prioritizes a fast screen refresh over other display characteristics.
Portability
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
5.0 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The HP Victus 15 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
7.4
8.0
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has very good build quality, while the HP Victus 15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$650
$2,900
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The HP Victus 15 has a price of $650 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
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Key similarities
Battery
5.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The HP Victus 15 has 5.5 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HP Victus 15 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HP Victus 15 | MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$650 | $2,900 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.4'' x 0.93'' | 15.8'' x 11.4'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.06 lbs | 6.15 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.09" | 15.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.4" | 11.4" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-13420H | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.5 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 262 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
HP Victus 15
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Rtings
Olivier Martin, Ryan Lim, and Yannick Khong | March 2023
"The HP Victus 15 is great for gaming. It's available with Intel 12th Gen. CPUs and NVIDIA discrete graphics, which are powerful enough to provide a smooth gaming experience in demanding AAA titles at 1080p. It has a nice keyboard and a fast SSD, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Ethernet connectivity for low-latency online gaming. Unfortunately, its 144Hz display has a slow response time causing noticeable ghosting, and it doesn't support variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing."
Get a great deal on the HP Victus 15 or the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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.
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