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Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a primary concern, the HP 17" Laptop is less expensive and provides a large screen, suitable for general use and basic computing tasks, with long battery life. The larger screen makes it less portable. For more demanding tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI Pulse GL66, though more expensive, has powerful graphics capabilities and higher performance hardware. However, it has shorter battery life and a smaller screen, which might impact multitasking or productivity tasks that benefit from a larger display. 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 HP 17" Laptop
- The HP 17" Laptop has no clear advantages over the MSI Pulse GL66.
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2
7.2
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the HP 17" Laptop is only fair.
The MSI Pulse GL66 outperforms the HP 17" Laptop in gaming and 3D tasks mainly because it comes with a powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 144 Hz, which is crucial for smooth gameplay, while the HP sports a less capable integrated Vega 8 GPU and is limited to a 60 Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the MSI's screen quality and CPU are also geared more towards gaming, complementing its superior graphics capabilities.
Engineering and Design
6.8
7.5
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for engineering and design, while the HP 17" Laptop is only fair.
The HP 17" Laptop is appreciated for engineering and design because of its powerful AMD Ryzen CPU and integrated Vega graphics, which provide good performance for various tasks, complemented by a large 17.3-inch IPS display for clear visuals.
Screen Quality
6.6
6.8
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
287.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The MSI Pulse GL66 has a better screen than the HP 17" Laptop for gaming and AI.
When choosing a laptop for general use, both the HP and MSI laptops will suffice as they have adequate resolution and brightness, but their panel type might not be the most advanced, leading to less vibrant colors and narrower viewing angles. For engineering and design, while they offer suitable resolution, their color gamut coverage might not meet the high standards required for precise color work. In terms of gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on these laptops could result in less fluid motion and slower response times, which are not ideal for fast-paced visuals that these uses demand.
Battery
5.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The HP 17" Laptop 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.
Build Quality
6.0
7.4
The MSI Pulse GL66 has good build quality, while the HP 17" Laptop has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$850
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The HP 17" Laptop has a price of $850 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.3
7.3
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
287.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 and HP 17" Laptop are both good for general use.
The HP 17" Laptop is equipped with sufficient RAM and a capable AMD Ryzen processor, which along with its larger screen, offers comfort for daily tasks, but it is less portable and has only moderate battery life. In contrast, the MSI Pulse GL66, while also providing ample RAM and a more powerful Intel processor, enhances general use with a higher quality keyboard and better heat management, though it is tailored for gaming, which may affect its appearance and battery life for routine activities.
Content Creation
7.2
7.2
6.9/10
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 MSI Pulse GL66 and HP 17" Laptop 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
7.1
7.0
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP 17" Laptop 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
Good
Good
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
4.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The HP 17" Laptop and MSI Pulse GL66 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the HP 17" Laptop and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HP 17" Laptop | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$850 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2023 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.8'' x 10.2'' x 0.81'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.58 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.78" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.15" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U | 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 | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.5 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 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 | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 287 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HP 17" Laptop
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Francisco Lahoz | November 2022
"As far as starter laptops go, the HP Laptop 17 is a sound investment. Sure, it might not be the lightest of options, but what you get for the price is a well-rounded machine that fits multiple niches. Whether it be office duties that require you to multi-task between multiple programs, or study tasks in which you’ll spend hours browsing online, this laptop does it all. Plus, when it's time to unwind, you can watch your favorite shows or movies on a super-wide display. What's best of all is that you can do all this for about half a day on a single charge."
MSI Pulse GL66
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Dig into reviews and images
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 HP 17" Laptop or the MSI Pulse GL66
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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