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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is slightly less expensive and offers better battery life than the MSI Pulse GL66, which might be a consideration if you often use your laptop away from a power source. However, the MSI has a more powerful graphics card, which could make it a better choice for tasks that require high-end graphics performance, like 3D rendering, machine learning, or intensive gaming. Both laptops have similar processors, RAM, and storage, along with a 15.6-inch IPS display with similar color coverage, so they should perform comparably in general use and engineering tasks. The MSI is somewhat more portable due to its lighter weight, and it comes with an additional USB-C port. If portability and maximum graphics performance are priorities, the MSI could suit you better, but for slightly better battery life and a lower price, you might prefer the Acer. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Predator Helios 300
- Good overall display quality
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good portability
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.3
6.8
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios 300, with a vibrant display that offers sharp resolution and brightness, provides a pleasing visual experience for general use and detailed work required in engineering and design, alongside a color range that benefits professionals who rely on color accuracy. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate might not deliver the smooth visuals desired by enthusiasts. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66's screen quality, while adequate for day-to-day tasks and capable of meeting the minimum color standards for professional work, falls short in delivering the high refresh rates gamers seek for fluid motion in fast-paced environments.
Cost
$1,204
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has a price of $1,204 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.3
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
3.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Pulse GL66 are built with high-quality CPUs and ample RAM, supporting smooth performance for general use; both have IPS screens with good color coverage and refresh rates, enhancing visual experiences. However, the Helios 300 is slightly less portable due to its heavier weight, and both models offer moderate battery life and substantial storage, but users will appreciate the Helios for its higher screen brightness and the GL66 for its slightly better portability and keyboard quality.
Gaming and AI
7.2
7.2
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both equipped with high refresh rate screens and powerful GPUs, crucial for gaming and 3D performance. While both feature similar high-performance CPUs and quality screens, the MSI boasts a slightly superior GPU, offering an edge in demanding graphical tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.6
7.5
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Pulse GL66 are well-suited for engineering and design due to their powerful CPUs, ample RAM, and advanced GPUs, with the Helios 300 using an Nvidia RTX 3060 and the GL66 a slightly more robust RTX 3070, which are both capable of running demanding applications and simulations. Additionally, both have high-quality IPS screens with good color accuracy, necessary for design work, although the Helios 300 has a higher screen contrast, enhancing visual detail; however, they are less portable than lighter laptops and come with tradeoffs like louder operating noise and lower battery life.
Content Creation
7.3
7.2
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.1
7.0
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
3.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has 3.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Pulse GL66 has 4 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Pulse GL66 to have good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 300 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
7.4
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Pulse GL66 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 300 and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 300 | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,204 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2021 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 10'' x 0.9'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.51 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.3" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11800H | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 3.5 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 53 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 294 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Acer Predator Helios 300
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | November 2022
"The Acer Predator Helios 300 review is an overclocked gaming laptop with a good display. The Predator is large, heavy, and loud, but also offers plenty of performance according to gamers. An overclocked gaming laptop - or its user - also has to struggle with the usual disadvantages we mentioned above. On the other hand, overclocking is optional, and those who like it quieter and can live with a few less frames per second can also switch to the significantly more moderate Standard mode. Then the Helios 300 won't be any louder than the competitors."
MSI Pulse GL66
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | April 2022
"The MSI Pulse GL66 has a lot of potential for improvement. Although the RTX 3060 is only able to use 105 watts, we still liked the gaming performance, particularly since this also makes the Pulse comfortably efficient but not slow by any means. Neither the dark display with its lame response times, nor USB 2.0 or the lack of Thunderbolt will please real gamers. The use of a sticker factory seal, which is at least questionable, also won't inspire any enthusiasm. It is obvious that the laptop is really designed for price-conscious gamers."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 300 or the MSI Pulse GL66
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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