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Updated January 10, 2024·
For better performance in intensive engineering tasks or 3D/machine learning, the MSI Stealth GS77 is a superior choice with its more powerful components. However, it's heavier and less portable compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which is lighter, offers a touchscreen with a unique aspect ratio for productivity, and is less expensive. The Surface Laptop Studio has a shorter battery lifespan as well. So, if portability, touchscreen functionality, and price are priorities, the Surface Laptop Studio might be suitable, while the MSI Stealth GS77 is optimized for power and performance at the cost of battery life, portability, and a higher price tag. 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
Advantages of the MSI Stealth GS77
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.4
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.4/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The MSI Stealth GS77 offers superior performance for general use due to its more powerful CPU, larger amount of RAM, and better speaker quality, yet it's less portable with a heavier build and larger screen size compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which offers a balance between performance and portability with a smaller, lighter design and better battery life. While both have high-quality screens, the Surface Laptop Studio also provides touchscreen functionality making it versatile for various general use scenarios.
Gaming and AI
6.6
7.9
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, with its Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti graphics card and a screen refresh rate of 120Hz, offers decent gaming and 3D performance, but pales in comparison to the MSI Stealth GS77 which includes a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU and a higher 240Hz refresh rate. The MSI model also typically provides a better CPU and higher-quality screen, enhancing its suitability for demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.3
8.7
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth GS77 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The MSI Stealth GS77 surpasses the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio in engineering and design mainly due to its higher RAM and more powerful GPU, which are very important for performance in these fields, along with a superior CPU and larger, higher-resolution screen that improves the overall visual workspace. While the Surface Laptop Studio offers good portability and a unique flexible hinge suitable for design work, the MSI model's advantages in core performance factors like processing power and graphics make it a preferable choice for more demanding engineering and design tasks, despite being less portable and having a larger form factor.
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 Stealth GS77 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
8.1
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
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 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
8.3
14.4in
SIZE
17.3in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth GS77 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
If you're focused on everyday tasks, both the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI Stealth GS77 offer screens with sharp resolutions and bright displays, providing a pleasant visual experience for activities like browsing and watching videos. For engineering and design, you'd appreciate their wide color coverage, ensuring that your work appears precise and color-accurate, an essential aspect for professional creative work. However, for gaming and 3D work, their screens fall short as they lack the high refresh rates needed for smooth motion and rapid scene changes, which are crucial for an immersive and responsive experience.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth GS77 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
17.3in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has good portability, while the MSI Stealth GS77 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 Stealth GS77 costs $2,499.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and MSI Stealth GS77 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 Stealth GS77 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | MSI Stealth GS77 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,700 | $2,499 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | 15.7'' x 11.2'' x 0.79'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4 lbs | 6.17 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 15.65" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.98" | 11.16" | |
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" | 17.3" | |
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 | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
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 Stealth GS77
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | April 2022
"The MSI Stealth GS77 is better than the GS76... mostly. The GS77 is a few steps forward and a few steps back from the GS76. Improvements are numerous including the stronger and more rigid skeleton, higher resolution webcam, larger clickpad, easier serviceability, relatively similar battery runtimes, newer display options, and higher performance at about the same TDP and TGP levels as before. CPU performance is better than expected even when compared to other laptops with Core i7 or Core i9 processors. The newer model feels more substantial than the outgoing one for higher quality impressions as well."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio or the MSI Stealth GS77
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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