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MSI Pulse GL66
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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated February 26, 2024· Prices updated 24 hours ago
If you're looking for high performance in gaming or resource-intensive tasks and aren't concerned about spending more, the ASUS ROG Strix could be the better choice, albeit with potentially less portability due to its size or weight. Meanwhile, the MSI Pulse might offer a balance between cost and performance, suitable for a range of activities, and could be easier to carry around, but it may not handle demanding applications as smoothly as the ASUS. Consider how you prioritize cost, performance needs, and the convenience of portability when making your decision. Give Feedback
At the time of writing the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) cost $1,700 and the MSI Pulse GL66 cost $1,160.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good portability
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.1
7.3
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
459.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for general use, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers a superior CPU and RAM configuration, ensuring smooth and fast performance for a variety of tasks, along with a high-quality screen, but it is less portable and has a shorter battery life compared to lighter laptops. In contrast, the MSI Pulse GL66 offers decent general-use capabilities with good performance and screen quality, though it trades off some processing power and display brilliance for better portability and longer battery life.
Gaming and AI
8.4
7.2
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
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 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its high-end GPU and fast screen refresh rate, delivers superior performance and smoother visuals for gaming and 3D tasks, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts seeking top-tier experiences. The MSI Pulse GL66, while also providing a good gaming experience with a capable GPU and high refresh rate, offers slightly less power, but should still handle most games and 3D applications very well.
Engineering and Design
8.8
7.5
9.9/10
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 (2024) is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 with its high-end CPU, substantial RAM, and advanced GPU, excels in demanding engineering applications and graphical tasks, also offering a superior screen quality for precise visual work. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66, while still capable for engineering uses, trades some performance and screen excellence for better portability and a quieter operating experience.
Content Creation
8.4
7.2
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for content creation, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
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
8.0
7.0
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for software development, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
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
8.8
6.8
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
459.0 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 offers a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and brightness, making it excellent for general use and detailed engineering work which demands color accuracy. However, its lower refresh rate compared to gaming-optimized laptops may lead to less smooth visuals in fast-paced games. The MSI Pulse GL66, with moderate resolution and brightness, provides adequacy for daily tasks and professional design, but like the ASUS, it sacrifices higher refresh rates essential for a premium gaming experience, potentially making action appear less fluid.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 8 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 (2024) has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,590
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has a price of $1,590 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
7.8
7.4
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
VS
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,590 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.9'' x 10.4'' x 1.05'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.51 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.94" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.39" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-14900HX | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 53 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 459 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.5/10 | 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 | 7.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marc Herter | March 2023
"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."
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."
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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.
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Why trust us
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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