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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is typically less expensive and more portable, with a touch-enabled 3:2 aspect ratio screen, which can be advantageous for general use and productivity tasks that benefit from a taller display, such as document editing. Its smaller size and lighter weight make it easier to carry around. However, if you're looking for a laptop that can handle intensive gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning, the MSI GE66 Raider may be a better choice, featuring more powerful processing and graphics capabilities, higher RAM, and a larger, higher-resolution 16:9 screen. Keep in mind, the Raider is heavier and less portable, with a shorter battery life, making it less suited for on-the-go use. 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- Good portability
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI GE66 Raider
- Very good for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.4
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
347.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.8/10
The MSI GE66 Raider is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers versatility in CPU and RAM choices suitable for general use, combined with high screen quality and better portability due to a lighter design and longer battery life. In contrast, the MSI GE66 Raider, with strong CPU and RAM options, also provides high screen quality but trades some portability and battery life for enhanced performance that caters well to more demanding general use scenarios.
Gaming and AI
6.6
8.6
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.2/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI GE66 Raider is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is only fair.
The MSI GE66 Raider is excellent for gaming and 3D because it has a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPU and a higher screen pixel density, providing smoother and more detailed visuals compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which has a lower-tier Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti GPU and a lower resolution screen, making it only fair for these tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.3
9.1
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI GE66 Raider is excellent for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers commendable performance for engineering and design with its intermediate-level processor and graphics card, complemented by a high-resolution, touchscreen display that supports versatile modes of use for design tasks.
Content Creation
7.4
8.4
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI GE66 Raider is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
7.3
8.4
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The MSI GE66 Raider is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
8.0
8.2
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
347.0 nits
The MSI GE66 Raider has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI GE66 Raider offer sharp images and bright displays, which make documents and websites look clear and easy to read. In engineering and design tasks, both laptops provide wide color coverage, ensuring that colors in detailed graphics and models appear accurate and vibrant. However, their lower refresh rates hinder performance in gaming and 3D applications, where smoother motion and quick screen updates are crucial for an optimal experience.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI GE66 Raider has 6 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
Good
Fair
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has good portability, while the MSI GE66 Raider has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,700
$3,199
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a price of $1,700 and the MSI GE66 Raider costs $3,199.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and MSI GE66 Raider both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI GE66 Raider compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | MSI GE66 Raider |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,700 | $3,199 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2021 | January 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | 14.1'' x 10.5'' x 0.92'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4 lbs | 5.25 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.98" | 10.51" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11370H | Intel i9-12900HK | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 99 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 347 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 4 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Tom Brant | October 2021
"There’s no doubt that the Surface Laptop Studio is groundbreaking. We’ve come to expect such things from the Surface lineup, so it’s always nice to see a product that exceeds our expectations. The pull-forward laptop-screen concept has been tried before, but never in a device that’s so stylish and packed with innovative features like a haptic touchpad and robust digital stylus support."
MSI GE66 Raider
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Patrick Schüdzig | June 2022
"The MSI Raider GE66 12UHS notebook passes with flying colors. The GE66 is a high-end notebook with strong performance. The keyboard and trackpad are still very good and score well with precise inputs as well as high build quality. Thanks to a new liquid metal cooling solution, the Intel Core i9 12900HK brings a performance increase of around 50 percent over the predecessor's Intel Core i9 10980HK. The installed graphics card in our device delivers up to 30 percent higher frame rates than the RTX 2070 Super in the MSI GE66 10SFS."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio or the MSI GE66 Raider
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
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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About the laptop team
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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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