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MSI vs. Alienware: Four Must-Know Facts
- Alienware is a line of laptops and desktop computers made by Dell, while Micro-Star International (MSI) is an information technology corporation headquartered in Taiwan.
- Alienware gaming laptops are often designed with TN displays, while MSI gaming laptops normally have IPS displays.
- MSI gaming computers have the best battery life which can last up to 6 hours on a single charge, Unlike Alienware’s battery life which lasts for 3 hours on a single charge.
- Alienware gaming laptops come with a one-year warranty, while MSI offers a two-year warranty by default. Both coverages can be extended.
If you are seeking the best gaming computer in the market today, Alienware and MSI are the leading brands to consider. The two brands are top-ranked for producing powerful gaming laptops and desktops that provide maximum performance, are speedy, and support the latest games.
However, it would be best to have a clear understanding of the two gaming brands to ensure you find the perfect choice for your needs and budget. In this Alienware vs. MSI comparison, we look at important specifications and factors such as pricing, displays, performance, and design so that you land an ideal gaming computer.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Alienware vs. MSI: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Alienware | MSI | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | It’s an American Computer hardware subsidiary of Dell | It is a multinational information technology corporation based in Taiwan |
| Conceived | October 24, 1996 | August 4, 1986 |
| Founders | Nelson Gonzalez, Alex Aguila, Joe Balerdi, Arthur Lewis, Frank Azor | Joseph Hsu, Jeans Huang, Frank Lin, Kenny Yu, Henry Lu |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida, United States | Zhonghe, New Taipei, Taiwan |
| Products | Desktops, laptops, Notebooks, Peripherals, Monitors | Personal computers, Motherboards, Graphics cards, PC components, Peripherals, Monitors, Server Hardware |
| Latest releases | Alienware X15 R2, Alienware m15 R7, Alienware m15 R7 AMD, Alienware x17 R2, Alienware m17 R5 AMD, Alienware x14 | Stealth GS77, Raider GE76, Raider GE76 Deluxe Edition, Vector GP76, Crosshair 15 Rainbow Six Extraction Edition |
- 15.6-inch Full High Definition screen
- Powerful Intel CPU, intelligent quad cooling technology
- Impressive performance across many top games
- Stunning graphics for an immersive gaming experience
- Ample16GB RAM and 512GB SSD
- Supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity
Alienware vs. MSI: What’s the Difference?
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Both MSI and Alienware are premium gaming laptop brands with a reputation for boasting excellent specs under their chassis. However, there are some key differences that make them better suited for different types of users.
Performance
A perfect gaming computer should have the best performance to enable you to play high graphic games effectively. You should check on significant properties such as graphics power, CPU power, memory capacity, refresh rates, and screen resolution. Generally, Alienware and MSI have great performance to handle modern games without lagging or causing visual Artifacts and graphical glitches. Both offer a variety of models with different performance levels to accommodate all your gaming needs.
Alienware has been praised to have the best performance but is relatively expensive compared to MSI. One of its cheapest models is the m16 R6 which features the Intel core i7 11800H that can be boosted to 4.6GHz to provide the best gaming experience. On its expensive end, you can pick the Alienware x17 featuring an 8-core Intel Core i9 11980HK that can be upgraded to 5.0GHz. Other than the powerful Intel chip, it can be overclocked to increase its watts of power in order to run graphic-intensive games effectively.
On the other hand, MSI has also improved the performance of its computers, especially its processors. It has the AMD and Intel chips developed in their gaming laptops so you get to pick the best depending on your needs. Having a look at the 17.3” MSI GS66 Stealth, which is one of its high-performance laptops. We can’t underestimate its features even though it’s slightly below Alienware’s best models. The 17.3” MSI GS66 Stealth has an i7-10870H that can be boosted up to 5.0GHz. In addition to the powerful processor, it offers the GeForce RTX 3080 for ultra-performance in gaming.
Display
Alienware and MSI have great displays but they are different. Alienware gaming laptops normally have TN displays while MSI gaming laptops have IPS displays. Alienware’s TN display is designed to provide a fast response time making it suitable for playing high-graphic games. On the other hand, MSI’s IPS displays have a better color gamut and viewing angles to create a clear view when playing games.
MSI laptops usually have higher resolutions compared, while Alienware gaming laptops have better-looking graphics. Both brands support the G-Sync or FreeSync technology which is essential in controlling the computer’s refresh rates.
Design
MSI gaming laptops will be the perfect option if you are seeking a gaming machine with unique and elegant designs. They usually have a matte black finish blended with red accents. Additionally, MSI laptops are thinner and lighter making them more portable than Alienware gaming computers. Although Alienware often designs ruggedized laptops, they are durable and work efficiently under extreme conditions. Alienware gaming laptops are also designed with programmable LEDs which glow up the keyboard when in use. You can customize the LEDs by changing them to your preferred color or turning them off.
Pricing
Gaming computers are usually expensive because they are developed with fast processors, quality graphic cards, and big memory sizes. Alienware offers the best gaming experience but is more expensive than MSI. Therefore, we would recommend going for an MSI computer if you are planning on a small budget. This is because MSI focuses on producing powerful gaming computers that are budget-friendly.
If you decide to buy Alienware laptops, you will have to pay about $650 for its cheapest gaming laptops and around $8000 for the highly valued gaming machines. On the other hand, you should have a budget of about $850 to acquire the cheapest MSI gaming laptop and about $6000 for the most expensive ones.
Battery Life
MSI gaming laptops should be your first choice if you seek a powerful gaming computer with long battery life. Their best gaming laptops such as the GE66 Raider, GS66 Stealth, and the 2019 GS75 Stealth can last up to 6 hours on a single charge making them suitable for playing high-graphics online games. In the case of Alienware gaming laptops, it can run for 3 hours on a single charge making it unreliable at some point.
Warranty and Customer Services
MSI gaming laptops offer a two-year warranty which is covered by MSI for the first year and the retailer for the second year. You can extend your coverage by purchasing MSI’s Care Packs which offer between one to three years of coverage. If you pick an Alienware gaming laptop, you will get a one-year warranty by default. Similar to MSI, you can extend the coverage up to four years. However, to use Aliensware’s warranty, you have to send your laptop back to the company for repairs.
Having a look at MSI customer services, it provides multiple options to enable you to contact them quickly. You can use live chat, email, phone, or visit MSI’s support website. Alienware gaming laptops also provide a few options like emails, chats, and telephone numbers to contact their technical team.
- Display: 17.3" QHD (2560 x 1440) Anti-Glare Wide View Angle 240Hz 3ms DCI-P3 100%
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8GB GDDR6 Graphics Card w/ Up to 1135MHz Boost Clock (105W Maximum TGP w/ Dynamic Boost 2.0)
- Processor: 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake Core i7-12700H 14 Cores (1.7GHz-4.7GHz, 24MB Intel Smart Cache, 45W)
- RAM: 32GB (2x 16GB) DDR5 4800MHz | Hard Drive: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro | Warranty: 1-Year MSI USA Warranty Parts & Labor (include 1 Year Global Warranty) + Lifetime Tech Support from EXCaliberPC
Pros and Cons of Alienware
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lots of options within each model, along with customization options when buying | Some models are heavy to the point that it undermines their portability |
| Signature flashy design | Higher-tier models can get pretty expensive |
| High-end models provide unmatched performance | |
| Some models have a pretty impressive battery life |
Pros and Cons of MSI
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More affordable prices, especially in the lower range | Could use some work in the design department |
| Great range of options to choose from, not limited to gaming | Outperformed by Alienware in the high end |
| Years of experience in serving gamers | |
| Durable and sturdy |
Alienware vs. MSI: Which One Is Better?
So, which one should you choose between Alienware and MSI? Both brands offer great gaming performance, but if you are seeking a gaming machine that can handle high graphics games without causing a lag, Alienware is the way to go.
Alienware gaming laptops are fast and have powerful hardware. Additionally, it has the best processors like Core i7 and i9 to provide the best gaming performance. However, if you have a limited budget, it would be best to get a mid-range MSI gaming laptop since it offers value for money.
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