In the realm of mid-range gaming laptops, the battle between the MSI Pulse and the ASUS TUF Gaming is an interesting one. The two devices are similarly priced for the most part, but some MSI models are slightly more expensive. If you're looking to buy one of the two, you might get confused as they share a lot of specifications.
To help with your decision, this article compares the two laptops, including their specs, features, performance, and more, to determine which is better.
Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer
MSI Pulse vs ASUS TUF Gaming: Specifications
Both the MSI Pulse and ASUS TUF Gaming are very similar to each other in terms of performance, but to get a better understanding of the laptops, we must look into their specifications.
Judging by the table above, the laptops are very much alike in terms of GPU. However, they are different when it comes to processor, display, and battery.
The display on the Asus TUF looks far better and also comes with different size variants to choose from. The MSI offering, on the other hand, has a higher refresh rate, which can give you the upper hand in fast-paced shooters.
The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 on the Asus is much more powerful, being a newer card, but it isn't that far off from MSI's i9-13900H. We'll see how they affect performance in the section below.
MSI Pulse vs ASUS TUF Gaming: Performance
Both the MSI Pulse and Asus TUF are exclusively gaming laptops and are packed with the latest processors for maximum performance. However, in this comparison, there can only be one winner, and judging by the specs on paper, the Asus TUF has the better processor. However, the difference is rather minimal.
The laptops have the same GPUs and RAM, so with some tweaks in the settings, you can get fairly similar performance.
The following framerates have been recorded with the highest settings and have been sourced from GizmoSlipTech on YouTube. Do note that there might be slight ups and downs as the settings are not always exactly the same.
As you can see, the framerates above are quite similar and don't differ that much. So, the choice comes down to you as both devices are super capable when it comes to performance.
MSI Pulse vs ASUS TUF Gaming: Battery life
The top-end variants of both the MSI Pulse and Asus TUF have excellent battery life. The expensive models get a 90Wh battery. The cheaper Pulse laptop gets a 53 Wh battery, while the inexpensive version of the TUF laptop has 48Wh.
Do note that both variants are priced slightly differently, with the MSI being more expensive, thus having a bigger battery. Being a $600 laptop, the TUF offers a small battery, which is justifiable.
MSI Pulse vs ASUS TUF Gaming: Which has greater value for money?
If we're talking in terms of value for money, the Asus TUF is the better option, considering it has a better display and processor. These are arguably the only factors where the TUF outperforms the MSI, as the latter has a better battery and offers roughly the same performance.
Getting into the prices, both laptops are priced at $1399 (for the top-end variants). However, the most expensive TUF laptop has a 14" display, while the most expensive MSI has a 17.3" screen. That's a slight drawback, but you still get exceptional performance nevertheless.
MSI Pulse vs ASUS TUF Gaming: Final Verdict
I have mixed opinions on this MSI Pulse and Asus TUF comparison, as it's quite hard to declare the winner.
Let me put it this way; if you prefer a better display and high performance, go for the TUF Gaming laptop. On the other hand, if you prefer a bigger battery and similar performance, go for the MSI offering.
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