The ASUS R410MA is a budget-friendly option suitable for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing with moderate battery life, but its performance for intensive tasks is limited due to its basic processor and low memory. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 is much more expensive but offers significantly better performance suitable for 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming due to its powerful processor, high-quality graphics card, and ample memory. While the ASUS offers more portability due to its lighter weight, the MSI boasts a better build quality, keyboard, and higher-resolution screen with a faster refresh rate, making it a robust choice for demanding software and multi-tasking. 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 ASUS R410MA
Very good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.5/10
7.3/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
8.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for general use, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The ASUS R410MA has a lower-end CPU, less memory, inferior display quality, and a smaller, less efficient battery, making it less suitable for general use, whereas the MSI Pulse GL66 has a more powerful CPU, more memory, higher screen quality with a better display technology and resolution, and a larger battery for extended use, providing a better overall experience for general use.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
7.2/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The ASUS R410MA has a basic Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU and a lower refresh rate screen, making it unsuitable for gaming and 3D applications, whereas the MSI Pulse GL66 features a powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 GPU and a high refresh rate screen that enhances gaming and 3D performance.
Engineering and Design
5.3/10
7.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for engineering and design, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The ASUS R410MA has a lower-end CPU and graphics chip which aren't suitable for demanding engineering or design tasks, while the MSI Pulse GL66 comes equipped with a high-performance CPU and powerful GPU that can handle these intensive applications. Additionally, the MSI Pulse GL66 benefits from more RAM and a higher quality screen, both crucial for engineering software and design work, whereas the ASUS model's screen and smaller amount of RAM limit its capabilities in such fields.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for content creation, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
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
5.6/10
7.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for software development, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
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.
Screen Quality
5.1/10
6.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The MSI Pulse GL66 has a better screen than the ASUS R410MA for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If a laptop like the ASUS R410MA has poor screen quality across the board, it likely means it has a lower resolution and dimmer display, which would be inadequate for general tasks, engineering, and gaming. The MSI Pulse GL66, with a fair screen quality for general use and engineering, probably offers a better resolution and brightness, but without the wider color gamuts essential for precise color work. For gaming and 3D, the MSI's display falls short due to a lackluster refresh rate, although it may have an acceptable resolution and panel type.
Battery
8.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS R410MA has 8.5 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
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS R410MA has very good portability, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.4/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 has good build quality, while the ASUS R410MA has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$111
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS R410MA has a price of $111 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
"The Asus Laptop L410 is a super-affordable PC, even among budget notebooks, compromising on the display and processing power to deliver a serviceable Windows machine with good battery life and useful ports. The build is reasonably solid, there’s a good mix of ports, battery life is long enough, and it can perform basic everyday tasks. On the flip side, the screen is poor, anything other than basic tasks is a tough ask, and it has little memory and even less storage."
"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 ASUS R410MA or the MSI Pulse GL66
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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