If you're looking for top-notch performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or demanding games, the ASUS ROG Strix may be the better choice despite its higher price; however, it might be less portable due to its size and weight. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 offers a balance between reasonable performance and easier portability at a lower cost, making it more suitable for general use and users who prefer not to spend as much. Battery life will typically be longer in less performance-intensive models and should also be considered if you often work on the go. 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 G18 (2024)
Very good for general use
Excellent 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
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.7/10
7.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for general use, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its high-end CPU and RAM, plus a superior screen, excels in demanding tasks and delivers a sharp, vibrant visual experience, but its larger size and shorter battery life compromise portability. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 offers decent processing power and memory for everyday tasks, with better portability and longer battery life, making it a more balanced choice for those on the go.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.2/10
8.9/10
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 G18 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is equipped with a top-tier GPU and a high screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth and visually stunning gaming and 3D rendering performance. While the MSI Pulse GL66 also provides a solid gaming experience with a good GPU and decent refresh rate, it doesn't match the ASUS's superior graphical capabilities and fluidity.
Engineering and Design
9.2/10
7.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 typically boasts a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a superior GPU, delivering exceptional performance for demanding engineering software and graphic-intensive tasks, complemented by a high-quality screen for precise visuals. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 offers good performance with quality components at a lighter weight, making it more portable, but it may not handle intensive tasks as seamlessly as the ASUS, with some trade-off in screen quality and sheer computing power.
Content Creation
8.8/10
7.2/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (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
8.5/10
7.0/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (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
8.7/10
6.8/10
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize vibrant colors and sharp images for tasks like browsing and document editing, the ASUS with its superior panel and higher resolution will serve you well, but it falls short for gaming due to a lower refresh rate which is crucial for a smooth gaming experience. On the other hand, the MSI, while not as crisp or colorful, provides adequate display performance for everyday tasks and casual design work. However, both laptops may not be ideal for gaming or high-frame-rate 3D applications due to their lower refresh rates.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 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
Poor
Good
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,203
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has a price of $2,203 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
"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 G18 (2024) 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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