If you need a laptop with superior graphics performance for 3D rendering, machine learning or gaming, the MSI GP66 Leopard with its higher performance graphics card is the better option. However, it is heavier and slightly less portable than the Lenovo LOQ 16, which also tends to be less expensive. The Lenovo laptop offers better battery life and is more suitable for general use and engineering tasks. Both have backlit keyboards, the MSI features customizable RGB lighting while the Lenovo's is white. The MSI has a higher color gamut, which is preferable if color accuracy is important for your work. Both laptops lack Thunderbolt connectivity but they do have sufficient USB-C and HDMI ports for external connections. 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 LOQ 16
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI GP66 Leopard
Very good overall build quality
Good speakers
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.2/10
7.5/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
329.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The Lenovo LOQ 16 has a better screen than the MSI GP66 Leopard for software development, while the MSI GP66 Leopard has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Lenovo LOQ 16 and MSI GP66 Leopard both have panels with adequate resolution and brightness that make them suitable for general use, ensuring clear and vivid displays for everyday activities. For engineering and design, the screens can reproduce a wide range of colors, which is vital for accuracy, though they may not cover the professional color gamuts entirely. However, for gaming and 3D applications, they lack the high refresh rates necessary for smooth motion, making them less ideal for fast-paced visuals despite sufficient resolution and decent panel quality.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Lenovo LOQ 16 both have only fair portability, though the MSI GP66 Leopard has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.0/10
The MSI GP66 Leopard has very good build quality, while the Lenovo LOQ 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$740
$1,400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo LOQ 16 has a price of $740 and the MSI GP66 Leopard costs $1,400.
The Lenovo LOQ 16 and MSI GP66 Leopard are both good for general use.
The Lenovo LOQ 16 boasts a well-rounded CPU and ample RAM that suits daily multitasking, with a high-resolution display providing crisp visuals for general use, all in a lightweight package that enhances portability but compromises somewhat on battery life. Conversely, the MSI GP66 Leopard offers similar CPU performance and memory for smooth operation, paired with a high-contrast screen that enhances the viewing experience, though it is slightly heavier which may affect portability yet manages a longer battery life for extended use without charging. Both laptops possess decent storage, quality keyboards, and manage heat and noise efficiently, with the MSI edging ahead in speaker performance.
Gaming and AI
7.5/10
7.8/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Lenovo LOQ 16 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo LOQ 16 is well-suited for gaming and 3D work because it features an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU which balances power and efficiency, and a 144Hz screen refresh rate that provides smooth visuals, while the MSI GP66 Leopard, equipped with the more powerful Nvidia RTX 3080 and the same refresh rate, excels in delivering high-end graphics and performance. However, the screen quality and resolution of the Lenovo are a little higher, adding to the visual experience, whereas the Leopard's CPU might give a slight edge in processing-intensive tasks besides gaming.
Engineering and Design
7.9/10
7.9/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Lenovo LOQ 16 are both good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo LOQ 16 is equipped with a newer AMD Ryzen CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU, offering ample performance for tasks in engineering and design, complemented by a high-quality screen with a higher resolution, which can show finer details. In contrast, the MSI GP66 Leopard, while also having a robust Intel CPU and a higher-tier Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU that excels in graphical tasks, has an inferior screen quality but compensates with better portability, keyboard, and a quieter operation when under load.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo LOQ 16 and MSI GP66 Leopard 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
7.5/10
7.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo LOQ 16 and MSI GP66 Leopard 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.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Lenovo LOQ 16 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI GP66 Leopard has 5 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.
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How the Lenovo LOQ 16 and the MSI GP66 Leopard compare to other laptops
"Gaming laptops with an RTX 4060 are available starting from about 1,000 Euros (~$1,060), even in 16-inch format. For the supposedly affordable Lenovo LOQ 16 (1,500 Euros, ~$1,591), the manufacturer particularly saves in the equipment and materials compared to the more expensive Legion series. In addition, the LOQ is slightly heavier and more bulky. What remains is anything but a laptop full of difficult compromises. Instead, this is a more than solid gaming laptop that focusses on the 3D performance.Q is slightly heavier and more bulky."
"The MSI GP66 Leopard is a good budget high-performance gamer. The MSI also does a lot right outside of the pure performance despite it's low price. For example, the adaptive cooling system really surprised us positively, even in Extreme Performance Mode. And the display is not a budget panel either, but at least outshines the competition in terms of brightness. Of course, you also have to accept a few compromises in this price category. These include the Leopard's poor battery runtimes and the less than optimal build quality, which is also noticeable in the more complicated maintenance."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo LOQ 16 or the MSI GP66 Leopard
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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