A Brief History
Both ASUS and MSI originated from Taiwan and have risen to become titans in the gaming and consumer laptop markets globally.
ASUS was founded in 1989 by a group of engineers and computer enthusiasts. The name stands for "Pegasus", representing innovation, inspiration and purity of thinking. Over 30 years, ASUS has grown into one of the world‘s leading computer hardware companies spanning motherboards, graphics cards, monitors, networking gear and award-winning laptops and mobile devices.
MSI (Micro-Star International) was founded in 1986 with a focus on creating custom motherboards. They pivoted towards gaming laptops in the mid 2000s, launching their G series targeting enthusiasts. MSI is now a recognizable premium gaming brand popular for its high-performance yet affordable laptops and components.
Gaming Laptop Lineups
Both MSI and ASUS offer a wide range of gaming laptops across budget, mainstream and high-end categories:
Entry Level Gaming:
- ASUS TUF Gaming A15/A17
- MSI GF63 Thin, Bravo 15
Mid-Range Gaming:
- ASUS ROG Strix G15/G17
- MSI Pulse GL, Katana GF76
High-End Gaming:
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus, Strix Scar
- MSI Raider, Vector GP76
Ultra Premium Gaming:
- ASUS ROG Mothership (Detachable)
- MSI Titan GT77 HX (Overclocked i9 + 3080 Ti)
As expected, performance and specs scale up through the lineups with premium metal builds and 360Hz displays reserved for flagship models. Top configurations can pack in Intel i9 12900HX CPUs, RTX 3080 Ti GPUs, 64GB RAM and multiple SSDs for blazing fast gaming.
Both brands strike a balance between performance and affordability but MSI starts cheaper while ASUS aims for excellence.
Design and Build Quality
ASUS laptops shine in their outward design and attention to detail. Even mid-range options like the ROG Strix G15 feature full aluminum bodies with clean symmetrical lines and Aura RGB lighting. Their Zephyrus models take thin and light gaming to another level with intricately crafted chassis and displays.
MSI laptops have relatively plain, plastic-heavy builds but sturdy thanks to their gaming focus. Flagships like the GE Raider 76 incorporate more metal and glossy finishes. Rather than flashy designs, MSI focuses on component quality and practical cooling solutions inside.
As far as durability goes, both ASUS and MSI laptops will easily last 4+ years with care. ASUS offers more premium feeling builds while MSI cuts down on aesthetics to deliver better value.
Performance and Benchmarks
With equivalent specs, MSI and ASUS gaming laptops achieve very comparable benchmark scores and frame rates. These metrics ultimately come down to processor generation and graphics card used.
However, ASUS tends to use better binned CPUs and GPUs that enable higher power limits and temperatures for enhanced performance. This manifests as 3-5% higher scores in tests for ASUS flagships:
ASUS Scar 17 SE (i9-12950HX + 3080 Ti) Fire Strike: 35878
MSI Raider GE77HX (Same specs): 34324
MSI also has excellent cooling with whopping 7 heat pipes on some models allowing stable boost clocks. Both brands offer software for overclocking and custom fan curves.
Real world gaming fps will be hard to distinguish, but ASUS models achieve slightly faster speeds thanks to their maxed out hardware configurations.
Displays
Packed with gaming features, displays are almost identical between MSI and ASUS:
- Up to QHD or 4K resolutions
- 165Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz refresh rates
- 3ms response times
- 100% DCI-P3 gamut coverage
- Adaptive sync
- Optimized color profiles
- Thin bezels
- Matte anti-glare coating
The premium options provide a gorgeous and fluid viewing experience whether you’re gaming or creating content. Samsung manufactures many of the high-end panels which speaks to their quality.
With matched specs, both brands deliver outstanding picture performance – distinguishing factors come down to size, resolution and refresh rate preferences.
Keyboard and Touchpad
MSI uses premium keyboard manufacturers like SteelSeries across its lineup. Mechanical RGB keyboards with per-key customization match top gaming brands. Though some lower-end MSI models have membrane keyboards, their quality and travel still beat competitors.
ASUS equips hot-swappable mechanical keyboards on mid-range and up. Their premium Strix Scar models feature optical-mechanical switches for rapid response. While nice, they can feel mushy compared to traditional mechanical keys. The deep 1.7mm key travel on MSI is preferred by most gamers along with clickier actuation.
In terms of touchpads, both are ample in size with precise tracking and gestures enabled. Multi-finger inputs pose no issues, though external gaming mice remain ideal for competitive play.
Ports and Connectivity
MSI and ASUS gaming laptops come well equipped with a full suite of external ports:
- 1-2 USB Type-C
- 2-4 USB Type-A
- 1x HDMI 2.1
- Mini DisplayPort
- Ethernet
- 3.5mm Combo Jack
Flagship models add in a SD card reader, Thunderbolt 4 and extra USB ports for good measure.
The latest WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 handles all wireless connections. Certain high-end MSI models also pack built-in 4G LTE support.
Overall port selection is robust on both to support gaming peripherals and external monitors without needing dongles.
Audio
Audio hardware and software is nearly equivalent between the brands:
- Quad speaker setups
- DTS Headphone:X support for virtual surround
- Hi-Res certification
- Sound tuning utilities from Nahimic and Dirac Research
The loud, crisp speakers deliver decent audio for gaming and media though external headsets are recommended for competitive play. Under load, MSI‘s top-firing speaker design helps avoid muffled sounds.
Battery Life
One key advantage ASUS laptops have over MSI is battery life, thanks to their Armoury Crate software. Intelligent cooling and hybrid modes maximize runtime when away from wall power.
For example, the ASUS Zephyrus G14 with a 76Wh battery achieves 8-10 hours of regular use. Comparable MSI gaming laptops tap out under 6.
However, neither brand prioritizes ultra-long battery life since gaming load will still drain a full charge in 1-2 hours. MSI batteries emphasize fast charging to full in an hour.
Pricing and Value
In the budget gaming segment, entry level MSI laptops start under $800 while comparable ASUS TUF models go for $900+.
Mid-range options see the ASUS ROG Strix G15/G17 at around $1300-1500 while MSI‘s Pulse GL66/76 falls under $1200.
Flagships get ultra premium but MSI‘s Raider GE67 often edges out the Strix Scar lineup on pricing for similar configurations. The top end sees both breach $3000+ for i9 Xen3D + RTX 4090 Ti builds.
Across the board from low to high end, MSI manages to undercut ASUS while offering better value per dollar spent. Savings can be anywhere from $100 up to $500+ which is enough to buy accessories or games.
Warranties
Both ASUS and MSI provide 1 year limited warranties that cover defects and issues out of the box.
Only premium MSI laptops qualify for extended 2 year coverage while all ASUS models have upgrade options to 2 or 3 years for reasonable fees (~$50 per year).
As for customer service experience, ASUS tends to have quicker response times under 1 business day with a variety of contact methods. MSI Warranty support can occasionally take longer to address queries.
Gaming-Specific Features
For gaming-centric features, MSI packs more exclusive intras that give them an edge:
Discrete Gaming Mode – Dedicated GPU only used for maximum fps
Giant Speakers – Top firing audio chambers for louder immersive sound
Cooler Boost – Dual thermal modules with 6-7 heatpipes and whirlwind blade fans ramp up cooling performance
Matrix Display – External 4K monitor output for multi-display gaming
Gaming Center – Central app for system tuning, macros, and settings
Comparatively ASUS offers RGB lighting and Aura Sync as their main gaming staples. Useful software like Armoury Crate for performance profiles and peripherals management is also great for gaming.
Innovations
Both brands continually push innovation across their laptop lines even if not focused specifically on gaming:
ASUS Innovations
- Ergolift Hinge – Improves cooling and typing comfort
- NumberPad 2.0 – Integrates touchpad as num pad
- Dolby Vision and Atmos Speaker Setup
- ROG Intelligent Cooling – Thermal Grizzly Liquid Metal + Conductonaut Extreme pads
MSI Innovations
- Discrete Graphics Mode – iGPU disabled for max power to dGPU
- Phase Change Liquid Cooling – 40% performance gains
- Smart Temperature 3.0 – Precision control of GPU/CPU temperatures
While not exclusive to gaming models, these features do maximize performance. MSI‘s overclocking and cooling allow them to push components further than the competition.
Expert Recommendations
According to LaptopMag‘s expert reviews, ASUS ROG laptops dominate rankings taking 4 of the top 5 spots for best gaming laptops. The MSI GE67 Raider landed at #3 praised for its performance to price ratio.
When considering overall brand recommendations:
ASUS wins for power users wanting maxed out specs, vibrant RGB lighting effects and a premium experience. Gamers and creators will appreciate ASUS laptops the most.
MSI takes the crown for shoppers prioritizing value and high fps competitive gaming thanks to its faster displays and top-notch cooling. Their discreet looks also appeal over flashy designs.
Verdict: ASUS Claims 2023 Crown But MSI Still Delivers
For 2023, ASUS pulls ahead of MSI as the better gaming laptop brand in my opinion. The combination of superb performance, innovative designs, best-in-class displays and premium touches gives ASUS the winning formula. Their general technical prowess also assures quality across all hardware and software.
However, MSI continues to hold its own as a gaming specialist thanks to affordability, edgy style, practical cooling solutions and a standout keyboard. 2023 sees exceptional options from MSI to consider like the Vector GP and refreshed Raider GE series.
At the end of the day, gamers can‘t go wrong with either brand. ASUS caters more towards creators needing versatility while MSI focusing exclusively gaming yields better optimization. Users should examine individual laptop models to ensure components and specs match needs and budget.
Both Taiwanese laptop titans will continue pushing boundaries and battling to deliver the ultimate gaming portable. Competition between ASUS and MSI benefits us gamers who reap rewards of high performance paired with increasing affordability.
