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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is a versatile choice with a touchscreen and a 3:2 aspect ratio, making it suitable for productivity tasks and general use, especially with its high screen brightness and color coverage. It's also slightly lighter and offers a unique 3:2 screen aspect ratio. However, the MSI Pulse GL66, with its powerful processor and superior graphics card, is better suited for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning. It has a higher refresh rate display which is advantageous for fast-motion content. The tradeoff is that the MSI is a bit heavier, and its battery life is shorter compared to the Surface Laptop Studio. Choose the Surface for a balance between mobility and performance, or the MSI for high-end gaming and demanding tasks, with the understanding you might need to stay close to a power outlet. 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
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.6
7.2
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is only fair.
The MSI Pulse GL66 is better suited for gaming and 3D applications than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio as it features a more powerful graphics card with an Nvidia RTX 3070 compared to the Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti, and a higher screen refresh rate of 144Hz versus 120Hz, providing smoother visuals critical for fast-paced games. While both laptops have quality screens and competent processors, the higher-end GPU and refresh rate in the MSI model gives it an edge for graphically intensive tasks.
Screen Quality
8.0
6.8
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio likely boasts a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and brightness suitable for everyday tasks and detail-oriented work in engineering and design, but due to its lower refresh rate, it may not deliver the smooth visuals gamers need. Meanwhile, the MSI Pulse GL66 probably has a standard-resolution screen that works adequately for routine activities and technical projects, but similarly, it doesn't excel in gaming due to its lower refresh rate. Both machines might fall short in providing immersive gaming experiences, where fast refresh rates are crucial to keeping visuals fluid and responsive.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has 8 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
Good
Good
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and MSI Pulse GL66 both have good portability, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
$1,700
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a price of $1,700 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.3
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio with a high-quality screen, substantial RAM, and long battery life is well-suited for general productivity and media consumption in a highly portable design, while the MSI Pulse GL66, also with plentiful RAM and a quality screen, offers higher graphic performance suitable for gaming and intensive tasks but with a shorter battery life and less portability. While both have similar storage and good CPUs, their trade-offs between battery life and portability versus enhanced graphics and computing power differentiate their suitability for general use.
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.5
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Pulse GL66 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both good for engineering and design.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a high-resolution, color-accurate touchscreen which makes it suitable for design tasks, coupled with a decent CPU and GPU that can handle engineering software, whereas the MSI Pulse GL66 offers a more powerful CPU and GPU combination that is better suited for more demanding engineering tasks, but with a lower resolution and color coverage which is less ideal for design work. Both laptops offer the necessary RAM and storage for engineering and design, but the Surface Laptop Studio has the added benefit of a 2-in-1 form factor for flexibility in design scenarios, while the GL66 prioritizes raw performance over screen quality and might not be as portable due to its heavier weight and larger size.
Content Creation
7.4
7.2
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,700 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2021 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.98" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11370H | 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 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 53 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 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 | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 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 | 0 | 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
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
See more
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 Pulse GL66
See more
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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio or the MSI Pulse GL66
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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