If budget is a priority and you're seeking reasonable performance for tasks such as gaming, general use, or even some level of 3D, the MSI Pulse GL66 may be a sufficient choice. However, if you require top-tier performance for more intensive tasks like high-end gaming, 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering software, the Dell Alienware m15 R7, despite its higher price, offers superior power and speed. Keep in mind that the Alienware's high performance typically comes with reduced battery life and less portability compared to lighter, less-powerful models like the MSI Pulse GL66. 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 Dell Alienware m15 R7
Very good for engineering and design
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
Good portability
Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.8/10
7.2/10
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for gaming and AI, though the Dell Alienware m15 R7 is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 is well-suited for gaming and 3D tasks with its Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics and a high screen refresh rate of 240Hz, enhancing smooth gameplay and fast motion rendering. Meanwhile, the MSI Pulse GL66 also offers solid gaming and 3D performance using the Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics, but has a lower screen refresh rate of 144Hz, which might be less fluid for fast-paced games.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.5/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 offers a stronger CPU and GPU, higher screen resolution, and better color coverage, making it very suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks, while the MSI Pulse GL66, though equipped with good CPU and GPU for such tasks, has lower color coverage and resolution, making it a more modest choice. Portability and operating noise are comparable, but the Alienware's higher weight might affect portability for some users, and both laptops have good keyboard and speaker quality for comfortable use.
Screen Quality
8.2/10
6.8/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 offers a high-quality screen with great resolution, brightness, and panel type, enhancing the visual experience for general and engineering use, but its lower refresh rate makes it less ideal for gaming where smooth motion is crucial. The MSI Pulse GL66 has a fair screen that meets the basic needs for both general use and engineering tasks, with acceptable brightness and resolution, but lacks the high color accuracy required for professional design work. For gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as their screen refresh rates are not as high as dedicated gaming laptops, which may result in less fluid motion during fast-paced scenes.
Portability
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.4/10
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has very good build quality, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,200
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has a price of $2,200 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 is equipped with a high-end CPU and sufficient RAM which makes it exceptional for handling demanding applications, alongside a premium screen and a build quality that prioritizes performance over portability and battery life, making it ideal for general use where power is prioritized. In contrast, the MSI Pulse GL66 also offers a strong CPU and ample RAM for multitasking, with a balance in screen quality and build that makes it versatile for general use, but with better portability and cooling, at the expense of some performance compared to the Alienware.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.2/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for content creation.
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
7.3/10
7.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 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.
Battery
5.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has 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.
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How the Dell Alienware m15 R7 and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
"The Alienware M15 offers solid gaming and leading endurance. It makes the most of its CPU and GPU while delivering stellar battery life for a gaming laptop. Opening the lid presents a full-size keyboard with honeycomb cutouts above it on the deck. An oblong RBG lightning element surrounds the entire rear panel and can be color-synced with the other lights on the laptop. There’s not a lot to dislike about the M15 Its productivity performance lagged in some areas, particularly in the storage benchmark, and it’s a bit heavy. Alienware has a clear winner here with the M15 based on its strong overall performance and endurance."
"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 Dell Alienware m15 R7 or the MSI Pulse GL66
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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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