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Updated March 22, 2024·
When deciding between the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 and the MSI Pulse GL66, consider their distinct strengths: the ThinkPad T14 is known for its durability and keyboard comfort, making it a solid choice for business and general use, with good battery life for frequent travelers; on the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66, with its gaming-oriented hardware, provides robust performance for gaming, 3D work, and intensive tasks, but typically has a shorter battery life and is bulkier, which can impact portability. Choose based on whether your priority is business mobility or graphics-intensive applications. 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 ThinkPad T14
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.5
7.3
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
321.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for general use, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers a balance of performance and portability with a strong CPU and ample RAM for smooth multitasking, making it ideal for mobility without sacrificing screen quality and battery life, which are crucial for general use. Meanwhile, the MSI Pulse GL66 provides higher performance suitable for more demanding tasks with its robust CPU and ample RAM, but this comes at the expense of greater weight and shorter battery life, which may not be as convenient for those constantly on the move.
Gaming and AI
6.7
7.2
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.3/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14, while reliable for general use, has a modest GPU and standard screen refresh rate, making it less suitable for high-end gaming and 3D tasks. In contrast, the MSI Pulse GL66 is equipped with a more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth and immersive gaming experiences, and it also has a robust CPU and superior screen quality that further enhance performance in demanding applications.
Engineering and Design
8.0
7.5
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 features a robust CPU and ample RAM, essential for running engineering software smoothly, while its high-quality screen and reliable keyboard benefit design tasks; however, it is less portable than some alternatives. The MSI Pulse GL66, with a powerful GPU and CPU combination plus ample RAM, excels in both engineering simulations and design work, but may have louder operating noise and heavier weight, making it less ideal for frequent travel.
Content Creation
8.3
7.2
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
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
8.3
7.0
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for software development, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
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
6.9
6.8
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
321.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
When considering screen quality for general use, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers a superior experience due to its higher resolution and brightness, which are crucial for clarity and visibility in various lighting conditions. For engineering and design, the ThinkPad's screen again stands out because it covers a wider range of color gamuts, allowing for more accurate color representation necessary in these fields. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the MSI Pulse GL66 might fall short as its refresh rate isn't as high as specialized gaming laptops, which can hinder the smoothness of fast-paced visuals despite resolution and panel type being adequate.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good portability, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0
7.4
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good build quality, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,241
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a price of $1,241 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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How the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T14 | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,241 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.5'' x 8.9'' x 0.7'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.96 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.51" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.93" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 39.3 Wh | 53 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 321 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1440p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 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 ThinkPad T14
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | December 2023
"We like a lot about this laptop. It has many ports, with the inclusion of RJ45-Ethernet as a defining feature. WWAN is upgradable for maximum flexibility and the ThinkPad has many security functions. Working with the ThinkPad input devices is a lot of fun, and Lenovo puts in a serviceable Low Power panel. The AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U delivers a great performance and does not drain the battery fast. Fan noise and temperatures are nothing special, but also far away from bad. With the user replaceable keyboard, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 has a special feature rarely present on most modern laptops."
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 ThinkPad T14 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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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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