If performance, especially in 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering work is a priority, and you prefer a laptop with a bigger screen and better heat management, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a good choice. It also has a longer battery life which might be useful for extended work sessions. However, it's less portable and slightly heavier than the MSI Pulse GL66. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 is a more portable option with higher keyboard and build quality scores and may save you some money. Yet, it has a smaller display, lower performance in highly demanding tasks, and significantly shorter battery life. Both have similar storage, RAM, and are equipped with high-quality IPS panels, so they're capable for gaming, but if intense gaming is your focus, ASUS may have the edge with newer GPU technology. 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 ROG Strix G16
Very good for engineering and design
Good overall display quality
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
Good portability
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
7.2/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for gaming and AI, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, equipped with a Nvidia RTX 4060 and a 165Hz screen refresh rate, offers superior graphics performance and smoother visual experience, making it well-suited for high-end gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Pulse GL66, although powered by a capable Nvidia RTX 3070 and a decent 144Hz refresh rate, might slightly lag in demanding graphics scenarios but is still a strong contender for gaming and 3D content. The G16's higher screen refresh rate is particularly key for fast-paced games, and its GPU is more recent, providing better handling of newer games and graphics-intensive tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
7.5/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with a more advanced CPU and GPU, is better suited for demanding engineering and design tasks, further complemented by a higher quality screen. The MSI Pulse GL66, while still capable, has slightly older CPU and GPU components and a lower screen quality, but it is more portable and has a higher quality keyboard, which can be beneficial for extended typing sessions.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.2/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for content creation, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
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
7.7/10
7.0/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for software development, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
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
7.5/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
291.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16's screen is well-suited for general use due to its high resolution and brightness, delivering clear and vivid visuals, but for gaming and 3D purposes, its lower refresh rate hinders the ability to display fast-paced action smoothly, which is crucial for an immersive experience. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 provides an adequate display for general use and engineering with fair resolution and sufficient brightness, but again, its screen falls short for gaming and 3D tasks because of its less than optimal refresh rate. Additionally, both laptops may not satisfy professionals in engineering and design as much as desired, as they might lack the extensive color gamuts needed for precision color work.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 9 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
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is suited for general use due to its high screen brightness and color coverage, complemented by a strong CPU and ample RAM, yet its weight and size affect portability. Conversely, the MSI Pulse GL66 offers similar RAM and capable CPU performance in a more portable design, but has a less vibrant screen and shorter battery life, making it less ideal for extended use away from power sources.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.4/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 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.
Cost
$1,374
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a price of $1,374 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"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 ROG Strix G16 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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