Very true, I've had both, and the asus ive owned the 765m from last year, and all models from this. Can honestly say, for gaming the msi gives you more for your money, and good quality. Asus gives great quality, and runs cooler but lower specs. Gaming the msi will run almost as cool as the asus, really close. For rendering and things you do 100% load on, the msi will get hot, then 'fan' will get really loud, and run a deal hotter than the asus. The asus will run both fans, you'll hear the fans (vs msi is like a hair dryer) but they wont be loud, and itll run a good deal cooler. The msi will be on bridge of thermal throttling and sound like wife is drying her hair doing so, the asus will be good.
But gaming wise, msi good quality great specs, little hotter, fans louder.
Asus, great quality, good specs, little cooler, quiet.
Both will give decent battery life when not gaming. And 1-1.5 hours of gaming.
Theres Lenovo 510 and such, gives sli 755m graphics, competes well for about a grand. But heat will be horrendous, fans obnoxious, and battery pretty much a joke, with or without gaming.
~Edit~
I see the msi isn't the gt with 870m, its the ge with 860m. For same price as asus, I'd go asus all day. Better of all worlds. and the 860m is no joke.