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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo Legion 5i Pro, generally less expensive, has a better processor, a more powerful graphics card, a larger, higher-resolution screen with a higher refresh rate, and a more color-accurate display, which is better for intensive tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, and some engineering applications. However, it's heavier, which could affect portability. The MSI Pulse GL66, while somewhat more expensive, is lighter, making it more portable, but it compromises on screen quality and performance in demanding applications. Both laptops have similar storage and memory, but the Legion has better battery capacity, which could benefit users needing longer working sessions away from power outlets. 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 Legion Pro 5i
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.0
7.2
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i stands out for gaming and 3D applications due to its superior GPU, which offers ray tracing and DLSS features for enhanced graphics and performance, along with a high screen refresh rate for smoother visuals. Meanwhile, the MSI Pulse GL66, while also good for gaming and 3D, has a slightly less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate, but it still maintains competent performance for gaming with its adequate CPU and screen quality.
Engineering and Design
8.4
7.5
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The Lenovo Legion 5i Pro is considered very good for engineering and design due to its superior GPU, the RTX 4060, and a higher resolution screen with better color coverage, providing detailed visuals essential for design work. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66, while still good for such tasks, offers an older RTX 3070 GPU and a lower resolution screen, making it less suitable for high-fidelity visual work, though its lighter weight enhances portability.
Software Development
7.5
7.0
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for software development, though the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is somewhat better.
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
8.1
6.8
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
368.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, with its superior panel type, resolution, and brightness, offers a vibrant and sharp display that enhances the user experience for general use and detailed work required in engineering and design, though it may fall short in gaming and 3D due to a lower refresh rate. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 provides decent screen quality for general tasks and sufficient color accuracy for engineering and design, but gamers and professionals working with 3D graphics might find the display lacking because of its subpar refresh rate, despite adequate resolution and panel type. Overall, both laptops cater well to general use and professional design work, but may not satisfy users who prioritize the smooth visuals in fast-paced gaming or 3D rendering.
Cost
$999
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has a price of $999 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.3
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
368.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
3.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use.
The Lenovo Legion 5i Pro is well-suited for general use due to its high-quality screen, considerable battery capacity, and robust CPU and RAM, allowing for efficient multitasking and clear visuals, though it is less portable given its weight. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 also serves general use effectively with a capable CPU, ample RAM, and good screen quality, while offering better portability due to its lighter weight, but compromises slightly with a lower battery capacity.
Content Creation
7.6
7.2
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 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.
Battery
3.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has 3.5 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
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Pulse GL66 to have good portability, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
7.4
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 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 Legion Pro 5i and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 5i | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$999 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 10.3'' x 0.97'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.6 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.31" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.25" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | 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 | 3.5 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 80 Wh | 53 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 368 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 4 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Brian Westover | August 2023
"The midpriced Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 8 follows some of our favorite gaming machines, including last year's model and the higher-end Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 tested earlier this year. But pedigree doesn't count for much in the computer world, and gaming laptops require a certain level of power and graphics performance to justify their prices. The Pro 5i Gen 8 just doesn't do that, offering middling CPU and GPU performance rather than the sort of muscle that would make it a great value."
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 Legion Pro 5i 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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