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Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI GE66 Raider, both being similarly priced, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers a higher RAM capacity, which could be beneficial for multitasking and complex tasks, while the GE66 Raider has a more powerful GPU, favoring gaming and graphic-intensive tasks. The Raider also features a higher resolution display but without touch capabilities, as opposed to the Surface Laptop Studio 2 which includes a touchscreen. The Raider has a larger screen, but this contributes to a heavier weight, making the Surface Laptop more portable. Battery life is better on the Raider, but the Surface Laptop scores slightly higher in heat management and has a quieter fan. The Raider is better suited for intensive gaming, whereas the Surface Laptop also accommodates general use and engineering tasks well. If portability and a touchscreen are important, the Surface Laptop could be preferable, while for maximum performance, particularly in gaming, the Raider stands out. 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 2
- Good portability
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI GE66 Raider
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7
8.6
7.5/10
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 2 is good.
The MSI GE66 Raider boasts a more robust GPU with the Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti compared to the Surface Laptop Studio 2's Nvidia RTX 4060, providing superior gaming and 3D performance. While both laptops have the same screen refresh rate, the MSI's top-tier CPU and overall higher screen quality make it especially excellent for gaming and 3D applications.
Screen Quality
7.9
8.2
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
347.0 nits
The MSI GE66 Raider has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 for general use, and engineering and design.
If you prioritize a crisp, clear display for everyday tasks such as browsing or watching videos, both the Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI GE66 Raider offer excellent resolution and brightness. However, for engineering and design work, where precise color reproduction is essential, both laptops may fall short due to limited coverage of professional color gamuts. On the other hand, if you're into gaming or 3D rendering, you'll find their screens lacking due to the lower refresh rates, which can result in less fluid motion and responsiveness during fast-paced activities.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 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
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has good portability, while the MSI GE66 Raider has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.3
8.4
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
347.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.8/10
The MSI GE66 Raider and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 are both very good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers a high-quality touchscreen display, substantial RAM, and a powerful CPU that ensure smooth performance for general use, while its design supports portability and versatile use as a tablet or laptop. On the other hand, the MSI GE66 Raider features an even more potent CPU and GPU combo along with a superb-quality, large screen, making it excellent for general use but less portable and with a shorter battery life, trading off some convenience for enhanced performance.
Engineering and Design
8.7
9.1
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.2/10
64.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GE66 Raider to be excellent for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is tailored for engineering and design use with a high RAM capacity, a robust CPU, and a versatile GPU that supports advanced tasks, complemented by a high-quality screen that also serves as a drawing tablet .
Content Creation
8.4
8.4
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
64.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI GE66 Raider and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 are both very 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
8.2
8.4
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
64.0 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 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 are both very 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 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.
Cost
$3,300
$3,199
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a price of $3,300 and the MSI GE66 Raider costs $3,199.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI GE66 Raider compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 | MSI GE66 Raider |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$3,300 | $3,199 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | January 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | 14.1'' x 10.5'' x 0.92'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 5.25 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 10.51" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i9-12900HK | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 64 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 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 | 503 nits | 347 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 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 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | March 2022
"The new Surface Laptop Studio with its foldable display is supposed to replace the old Surface Book and the overall impression is good after our review. The build quality and the materials are top-notch, the performance utilization of the two components is solid and the device does not show any major flaws in terms of display or speakers, either. The folding mechanism leaves a sold impression as well, but it remains to be seen how it will hold up over the years. The so-called presentation mode is also not ideal since it covers the whole keyboard."
MSI GE66 Raider
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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 2 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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