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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value higher storage capacity, more RAM for multitasking, and better graphics performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI Raider GE66 stands out as an excellent option despite it being heavier and less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter, more portable device with a touchscreen and a higher portability score, and if you can make do with less storage and RAM, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio might be the better choice for everyday productivity and moderate performance requirements. Keep in mind that the Surface is generally less expensive which could be a deciding factor if you're looking to save money. 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 Raider GE66
- Very good for general use
- Very good 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
8.3
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 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 Raider GE66 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, with its high-quality CPU and screen, offers smooth performance for everyday tasks in a design that's easy to carry around, while its battery life lets you stay unplugged for longer periods. In contrast, the MSI Raider GE66, also equipped with a top-tier CPU and ample RAM, excels in screen quality and robust performance, making it ideal for demanding applications, but it is heavier and may not last as long on a single charge, which could affect its portability and convenience for on-the-go use.
Gaming and AI
6.6
8.5
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI Raider GE66 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
7.3
8.9
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE66 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The MSI Raider GE66 outperforms the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio in core engineering and design tasks due to its more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and superior GPU which translates to faster processing and better graphics handling; however, it is also heavier and less portable. While the Surface Laptop Studio's high-quality screen and innovative hinge offer versatility for design work and presentability, the Raider GE66's emphasis on top-tier performance specifications overshadows its bulkier build and potential for louder operating noise, catering to users who prioritize power over portability and noise level.
Content Creation
7.4
8.3
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Raider GE66 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
8.0
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The MSI Raider GE66 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
8.4
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The MSI Raider GE66 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and MSI Raider GE66 have high resolution and brightness, providing sharp and vivid displays, but for those involved in engineering and design, the Microsoft Surface may fall short in color accuracy and range compared to the MSI Raider, which might offer wider color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB ensuring more precise color representation. When it comes to gaming and 3D applications, however, both laptops may not be ideal due to lower refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion; although, their high resolutions and panel quality could still deliver decent image clarity and viewing angles.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE66 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 Raider GE66 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,700
$2,499
$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 Raider GE66 costs $2,499.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and MSI Raider GE66 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 Raider GE66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | MSI Raider GE66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,700 | $2,499 | ||
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 i7-12700H | |
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 | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 300 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 Raider GE66
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 Raider GE66
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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