The Gateway 11.6" is a budget-friendly, highly portable option with a smaller screen and modest performance suitable for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing. The MSI Pulse GL66 is significantly more expensive but offers powerful performance for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming, thanks to its high-end processor and graphics card. It also has a larger screen with a higher resolution, which is better for multitasking and multimedia. However, it's heavier, making it less ideal for frequent travel, and has a shorter battery life compared to lighter and less powerful laptops. 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 Gateway 11.6"
Excellent portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
7.3/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" laptop, with its basic Intel Celeron processor and minimal RAM, is not as well-suited for multiple applications or demanding tasks as the MSI Pulse GL66, which boasts a powerful i7 processor and ample RAM for smooth multitasking. Additionally, the Gateway's smaller screen and lower resolution may deliver a less vibrant display compared to the MSI's larger, full HD screen, which provides a clearer and more engaging visual experience.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
7.2/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
5.4/10
7.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" is less suited for engineering and design due to its modest Intel Celeron processor, low RAM, basic GPU, and low-resolution screen, whereas the MSI Pulse GL66 excels with its powerful i7 processor, substantial RAM, high-performance Nvidia GPU, and full HD display. Additionally, the MSI, despite being heavier and less portable, offers a better overall experience with its higher-quality keyboard, display and thermal management suitable for demanding tasks.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
7.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
6.8/10
11.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The MSI Pulse GL66 has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Gateway 11.6" likely has a lower resolution and dimmer display, which hinders the clarity and comfort needed for various tasks, making it less suitable across all use cases. The MSI Pulse GL66, with a fair screen quality, offers a balance for general and engineering tasks, but its likely standard refresh rate falls short for the smooth visuals critical in gaming and 3D applications. However, its fair screen quality suggests it's capable of decent color reproduction, beneficial for engineering and design, but it doesn't excel with the high color fidelity or swift frame transitions demanded by professionals and gamers.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Gateway 11.6" 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
Excellent
Good
11.6in
SIZE
15.6in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Gateway 11.6" has excellent portability, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.4/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 has good build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$89
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Gateway 11.6" has a price of $89 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
"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 Gateway 11.6" or the MSI Pulse GL66
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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