The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is an affordable option for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing, with a lighter and thinner design, making it more portable but with limited performance due to its Intel Celeron processor and basic graphics. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 is more expensive but offers significantly higher performance with an Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX graphics, suitable for demanding tasks such as gaming, 3D rendering, or engineering software. It is heavier and may have a shorter battery life due to its more powerful components. If portability and cost are your priority, Lenovo is a good fit; however, if you need higher performance for intensive tasks, the MSI is the better choice despite its higher price and lower portability. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
Very good 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
6.1/10
7.3/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
239.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has lower-end components such as an Intel Celeron processor, less RAM, and a lower-resolution TN screen, which results in weaker overall performance and a less vibrant display compared to the MSI Pulse GL66, which boasts a powerful Intel i7 processor, more RAM, and a higher-resolution IPS screen; these contribute to better multitasking capability, faster operation, and crisper, more color-accurate visuals that enhance the user experience.
Gaming and AI
5.5/10
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
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" falls short in gaming and 3D applications because it has a basic GPU and a standard screen refresh rate. In contrast, the MSI Pulse GL66 excels due to its high-performance GPU and higher screen refresh rate, making it well-suited for demanding graphics tasks.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" may struggle with engineering and design tasks due to less powerful CPU, less RAM, and a lower tier GPU, which could hinder the smooth running of complex software, and its screen quality isn't as high, making detailed work less precise. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 offers a robust CPU, ample RAM, a superior GPU for handling demanding applications, and a better screen for clearer visuals, but it's less portable and could have a louder operating noise due to its higher performance components.
Content Creation
6.2/10
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
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
6.4/10
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
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
5.3/10
6.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
239.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The MSI Pulse GL66 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1's screen may be less crisp and vivid due to lower resolution and brightness, making it less suitable for tasks requiring visual clarity like browsing or document editing. Engineers and designers might find the MSI Pulse GL66's display more adequate as it likely offers better color accuracy despite not being top-of-the-line, which is essential for precise color work. However, both displays are not ideal for high-end gaming or 3D rendering, as they lack high refresh rates that provide smoother visuals and improve the overall experience in fast-paced visual environments.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has 9 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
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has very good portability, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.0/10
7.4/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$153
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a price of $153 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
"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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" or the MSI Pulse GL66
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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