The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 offers better performance, ideal for intensive engineering tasks and gaming due to a more powerful processor and graphics card, but comes at a higher price and is less portable. The MSI Pulse GL66 is more affordable, slightly more portable, and suitable for general use and moderate gaming, but its performance for demanding tasks may not match that of the ASUS. 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 Scar 15
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.8/10
7.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
283.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use, though the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 offers strong performance for general use, thanks to its high-end CPU and ample RAM which handle multitasking and demanding tasks smoothly, and its high-quality screen provides vibrant colors and sharpness; however, it's less portable and has shorter battery life which might limit mobility. The MSI Pulse GL66 also caters well to general users with a capable CPU and sufficient RAM, and while its screen quality is respectable, it trades off a bit of performance for improved portability and slightly better battery life, making it a more balanced choice for on-the-go users.
Gaming and AI
8.3/10
7.2/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 outshines the MSI Pulse GL66 for gaming and 3D as it has a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 300 Hz, providing smoother visuals and better handling of graphics-intensive tasks. Although both have quality IPS displays and robust CPUs, the superior GPU and refresh rate make the ASUS more adept at demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.5/10
7.5/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 offers superior performance for engineering and design tasks due to its advanced CPU and more powerful GPU, whereas the MSI Pulse GL66, with less robust specifications, still delivers good performance but may fall short in the most intensive tasks. While both laptops come with quality screens and adequate RAM, the ASUS prioritizes power over portability and quiet operation, which could affect its convenience in certain environments, compared to the somewhat more portable MSI model.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.2/10
9.2/10
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 ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 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.
Screen Quality
7.9/10
6.8/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
283.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 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 sharp visuals and vibrant colors for daily tasks like browsing or watching videos, the ASUS has better resolution and brightness, making it superior for general use. The ASUS also excels in engineering and design work due to its wider color gamut, providing more accurate color representation which is crucial for those fields. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fluid motion is key, both laptops may not meet expectations because high refresh rates, which reduce motion blur and provide smoother gameplay, are lacking.
Battery
5.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has 5.5 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.
Cost
$2,000
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a price of $2,000 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 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.
Portability
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
5.0 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 ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.4/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 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 ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
"Asus continues to refine the ROG Strix Scar lineup with new upgrades. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 offers almost everything you would expect from a gaming laptop at this price. The build quality is great, connectivity options are decent, and there is enough scope for internal upgrades as well. Asus reverts to membrane switches for the keyboard — though not as "clickety" as the opto-mechanical ones we saw with last year's model, they still make for a decent typing and gaming experience. The lack of biometrics in any form is a downer."
"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 Scar 15 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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