ASUS ROG Ally X vs MSI Thin GF63
The Verdict
ASUS ROG Ally X and MSI Thin GF63 serve fundamentally different purposes. ASUS targets portable gaming with a 7-inch display, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 24GB LPDDR5x RAM, and integrated RDNA 3 graphics optimized for handheld play at $799. MSI offers traditional laptop gaming on a 15.6-inch 144Hz display, Intel i5-12450H, RTX 4050, and 8GB DDR4 at $699. ASUS excels in portability, gaming versatility, and RAM capacity, though its smaller screen and integrated GPU limit performance in demanding AAA titles. MSI provides superior raw gaming power, traditional productivity workspace, and better port variety including ethernet. Battery life favors neither decisively. Choose ASUS for mobile gaming convenience and versatility, MSI for desktop-replacement performance and larger workspace. Budget shoppers preferring traditional laptops should choose MSI; handheld gaming enthusiasts should pick ASUS.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Ally X if…
- →Massive 80 Wh battery doubles the Ally's endurance to 3-10 hours
- →24 GB LPDDR5x RAM is generous for gaming and multitasking
- →1 TB SSD is double the original — more room for games
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 X
Pros
- Massive 80 Wh battery doubles the Ally's endurance to 3-10 hours
- 24 GB LPDDR5x RAM is generous for gaming and multitasking
- 1 TB SSD is double the original — more room for games
- Two USB-C ports allow charging while connecting accessories
- Improved ergonomic grips and button layout over original Ally
Cons
- Heavier at 678 g due to the larger battery
- Same Z1 Extreme chip — no generational performance leap
- Removed microSD slot compared to original ROG Ally
- IPS LCD still lacks OLED contrast and HDR capability
- $799 puts it close to full laptop pricing territory
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 X | MSI Thin GF63 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 678 g | 1.86 kg |
| Material | Plastic chassis with improved ergonomics | Aluminum lid, plastic body |
| Dimensions | 280.0 x 114.0 x 36.9 mm | 359 x 254 x 21.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | ||
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 3 |
| Ethernet | — | |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 3-10 hours (game dependent) | Up to 7 hours |
| Capacity | 80 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 | 24 GB LPDDR5x (7500 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 | — | |
Related Comparisons
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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