ASUS ROG Ally vs MSI Thin GF63
The Verdict
These $699 laptops serve entirely different purposes. The ASUS ROG Ally is a portable gaming handheld with a 7-inch 1920x1080 120Hz display, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, and integrated RDNA 3 graphics. It weighs just 608g, delivering 1.5-7 hours of battery life depending on game intensity. The MSI Thin GF63 is a traditional 15.6-inch laptop featuring a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H, dedicated NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU with 6GB VRAM, and a 144Hz display. It weighs 1.86kg with up to 7 hours of battery life and includes three USB-A ports, HDMI, and ethernet connectivity. For handheld gaming and extreme portability, the Ally excels with superior thermal efficiency and optimized gaming performance in its compact form factor. The MSI offers better general productivity, larger screen real estate, more traditional ports, and stronger GPU performance for demanding desktop gaming or creative work. The Ally has 16GB RAM versus the MSI's 8GB, but the MSI's dedicated RTX 4050 outperforms integrated graphics significantly. Choose the Ally if you prioritize mobility and console-style gaming; select the MSI for a full-featured laptop that doubles as a gaming machine.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Ally if…
- →Ryzen Z1 Extreme with RDNA 3 GPU outperforms Steam Deck in raw power
- →Full 1080p IPS display at 120Hz for sharper and smoother gaming
- →Windows 11 gives access to all PC game stores and launchers
Buy the MSI Thin GF63 if…
- →Affordable entry to RTX 40-series gaming at $699
- →144Hz display for smooth gameplay in esports titles
- →Lightweight at 1.86 kg for a 15.6-inch gaming laptop
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
ASUS ROG Ally
Pros
- Ryzen Z1 Extreme with RDNA 3 GPU outperforms Steam Deck in raw power
- Full 1080p IPS display at 120Hz for sharper and smoother gaming
- Windows 11 gives access to all PC game stores and launchers
- Lighter at 608 g compared to the Steam Deck
- MicroSD expansion for extra game storage
Cons
- 40 Wh battery provides very poor endurance — as low as 1.5 hours
- Windows 11 is not optimized for handheld — requires workarounds
- Only one USB-C port limits simultaneous charging and peripherals
- No OLED — IPS LCD has weaker contrast and no true blacks
- Fan noise is loud under heavy gaming loads
MSI Thin GF63
Pros
- Affordable entry to RTX 40-series gaming at $699
- 144Hz display for smooth gameplay in esports titles
- Lightweight at 1.86 kg for a 15.6-inch gaming laptop
- Good port selection including Ethernet and three USB-A ports
- Expandable storage with an extra M.2 slot
Cons
- 250-nit display brightness is very dim — poor outdoor visibility
- Only 8 GB RAM — needs immediate upgrade for modern gaming
- Build quality is plastic-heavy and feels budget
- Fan noise is significant during gaming sessions
- Battery life is poor at around 4-5 hours real-world use
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Ally | MSI Thin GF63 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 608 g | 1.86 kg |
| Material | Plastic chassis | Aluminum lid, plastic body |
| Dimensions | 280.0 x 111.4 x 32.4 mm | 359 x 254 x 21.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| USB-C ports | 1 | 1 |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | ||
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 3 |
| Ethernet | — | |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 1.5-7 hours (game dependent) | Up to 7 hours |
| Capacity | 40 Wh | 52.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 7 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 250 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5 (6400 MT/s) | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU | 8-core (4P + 4E) |
| Chipset | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | — |
| Gpu | — | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 (6 GB) |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | — | 512 GB PCIe Gen 3 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | — | |
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | — | |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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