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Updated January 10, 2024·
For general use such as browsing and office applications, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro is less expensive with good overall performance and a higher battery life, which makes it more portable. It also has a better display with higher resolution and touchscreen capability. However, if you're looking for a laptop for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI Pulse GL66, while more expensive and heavier, which affects portability, provides stronger performance with its superior graphics card and processor. The MSI also has better suitability for gaming thanks to hardware like ray tracing and a higher screen refresh rate. 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 Slim 7i Pro
- Good overall display quality
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.1
7.2
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has an integrated GPU and a 90 Hz refresh rate, making it fair for gaming and 3D tasks, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is equipped with a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 and a higher 144 Hz screen refresh rate, which classify it as good for those applications. Both laptops have good CPUs and screen qualities, but the MSI's superior GPU and refresh rate provide a better experience for gaming and 3D tasks.
Screen Quality
7.7
6.8
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
395.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro offers a high-resolution display and brightness, making it excellent for general use where text clarity and image sharpness are valued; for engineering and design tasks, it provides wide color gamuts ensuring accurate color reproduction which is crucial. However, its lower refresh rate makes it less suitable for gaming or 3D applications, where smooth motion is key. On the other hand, while the MSI Pulse GL66 provides acceptable resolution and panel quality for general tasks and sufficient color accuracy for engineering, it flounders for gaming and 3D due to its poor refresh rate.
Battery
8.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has 8.5 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has very good portability, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$799
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has a price of $799 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.3
7.3
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
395.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
8.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro offers a balance of performance for general use with its Intel i5 processor and integrated graphics, while also providing portability with its lighter weight and longer battery life, making it well-suited for tasks like web browsing, office applications, and media consumption on the go. The MSI Pulse GL66, on the other hand, with its more powerful Intel i7 processor and dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics, is better equipped for more demanding applications and gaming but is less portable and has a shorter battery life, making it a better fit for users who need higher performance and don't mind carrying a heavier laptop.
Engineering and Design
7.0
7.5
5.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Pulse GL66 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro are both good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.4
7.2
5.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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
7.0
5.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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.
Build Quality
7.8
7.4
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and MSI Pulse GL66 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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.62'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.04 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.29" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.74" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-11300H | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.5 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 60.7 Wh | 53 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2880 x 1800 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 395 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 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 | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | October 2021
"The main selling point of the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro versus a regular IdeaPad Slim 7 is its faster Core H-series CPU. In reality, the Core i7-11370H is only marginally faster than the U-series Core i7-1165G7 to the point where most users are not likely to notice the benefits. The slight performance uptick comes at the cost of slightly higher power consumption as well meaning owners will have to deal with potentially warmer temperatures or louder fans to compensate. Unless if you happen to be a power user, then the regular non-Pro model will be more than enough. Once you go 90 Hz, you can't go back."
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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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.
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