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Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and MSI Pulse GL66 are similarly priced, both aimed at gamers with dedicated graphics and high-performance processors. The ASUS has a larger 17.3-inch screen, a more powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU, and a significantly larger battery, which could be better for longer gaming sessions but also makes it heavier and less portable. The MSI, with a 15.6-inch screen and slightly lower GPU power with an Nvidia RTX 3070, may not handle intense gaming as well but is lighter and more portable. Both laptops have 16GB of RAM and backlit keyboards with number pads, but the ASUS offers more storage capacity. If you prioritize longer unplugged usage and larger screen size for gaming, the ASUS might be the better choice; for greater portability and a similar gaming experience, consider the MSI. 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 TUF Gaming A17
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good portability
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.0
7.3
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
253.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is very good for general use, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 offers superior general use performance with its higher-end CPU and better heat management, providing smooth multitasking and sustained performance, while its larger screen and good speaker quality enhance multimedia experiences, though it is less portable and has a heavier build. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 has a smaller form factor for better portability, comes with a high-quality keyboard, and performs well in general tasks, yet its battery life is shorter and the storage capacity is lesser compared to the ASUS model, which might limit its use on the go and for data-intensive tasks.
Gaming and AI
8.1
7.2
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is equipped with a superior GPU, the Nvidia RTX 4070, which provides better graphic performance for gaming and 3D applications, and both the ASUS and MSI Pulse GL66 have the same screen refresh rate, enhancing fast-paced visuals. While the MSI Pulse GL66 has a very competent Nvidia RTX 3070 GPU, it falls slightly short compared to the ASUS in terms of raw graphics performance.
Engineering and Design
8.3
7.5
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is equipped with a higher-end CPU and GPU, providing better performance for demanding engineering and design tasks compared to the MSI Pulse GL66, which still delivers good performance albeit with a slightly less powerful CPU and GPU. Additionally, the A17 has a larger screen and more storage, enhancing the visual and data handling capabilities for complex projects, whereas the GL66 is lighter and more portable, with a higher portability score, making it a better choice for users on the go.
Content Creation
8.1
7.2
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 TUF Gaming A17 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
7.7
7.0
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for software development, though the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 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
6.8
6.8
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
253.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for software development, and content creation.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and MSI Pulse GL66 have displays that are just adequate for general use because they often prioritize durability and hardware capabilities over premium display characteristics, resulting in average resolution and brightness which are essential for daily tasks. For engineering and design, while these laptops may cover basic needs, professionals require displays with broader color coverage to ensure color accuracy, which these models may lack. When it comes to gaming and 3D applications, a high refresh rate is crucial for a smooth visual experience, and these laptops may fall short, offering a less optimal experience for fast-paced visuals compared to models specifically designed with high refresh rate screens.
Battery
10.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has 10 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
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,552
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a price of $1,552 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
7.2
7.4
The MSI Pulse GL66 and ASUS TUF Gaming A17 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 TUF Gaming A17 and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A17 | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,552 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.6'' x 10.4'' x 0.9'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.55" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.39" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS | 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 | 10 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 53 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 253 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 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 | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | 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 Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
ASUS TUF Gaming A17
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LaptopMedia
Alex Iliev | April 2022
"There is one big question that needs an answer. Is the TUF Gaming A17 FA707 a better purchase than the ROG Strix G17 G713R (2022)? Well, it depends. Undoubtedly, the Strix is the more premium product. Arguably the biggest advantage it has over its TUF fellow is in regards to the display. ASUS TUF Gaming A17 A707’s IPS panel has a Full HD resolution, comfortable viewing angles, and a very good contrast ratio."
MSI Pulse GL66
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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."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 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.
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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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