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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a high-end choice known for its large storage capacity, extensive RAM, and strong processor paired with an RTX 4060 GPU, which means it excels in performance, particularly for engineering tasks and 3D rendering. Its high-resolution touchscreen and 3:2 aspect ratio with a high contrast display benefit creative professionals. With a premium build and features like facial recognition and hardware ray tracing, it is suitable for intensive gaming, but its portability is compromised due to its weight and shorter battery life. Conversely, the MSI Pulse GL66 comes at a midrange price and has notably shorter battery life. While it has less storage and RAM, its processor combined with an RTX 3070 GPU still delivers strong performance. It's a good fit for general use, gaming, and some engineering, bolstered by its gaming laptop appearance with an RGB backlit keyboard. Although it has a 16:9 aspect ratio which is standard for most tasks and games, its lower screen resolution means it is not as crisp for detailed work as the Surface Laptop Studio 2. Its weight is similar to the Surface, making it less portable as well. If budget is a concern and the requirements are inclined towards general use and mainstream gaming, the MSI Pulse GL66 may be the more cost-effective option. 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
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- The MSI Pulse GL66 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.
Key differences
General Use
8.3
7.3
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for general use, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers a higher RAM capacity and a superior screen with better resolution, color coverage, and brightness than the MSI Pulse GL66, which makes it particularly well-suited for tasks that demand multitasking and high-quality visuals. Although the MSI has a solid build, its lower screen quality and RAM make it less optimal for general use; however, it may benefit from a slightly better portability factor due to being lighter in weight.
Engineering and Design
8.7
7.5
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is more suitable for engineering and design due to its higher RAM capacity, better GPU, higher screen resolution which allows for more precise work, and its versatility as a laptop and a drawing tablet. In comparison, the MSI Pulse GL66, while also good for engineering and design tasks, offers less memory, a slightly older CPU and GPU, and a lower resolution screen, but compensates with excellent keyboard quality and is more appropriate for users prioritizing a traditional laptop form factor and affordability.
Content Creation
8.4
7.2
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Pulse GL66 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
8.2
7.0
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
64.0 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 2 is very good for software development, while the MSI Pulse GL66 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
7.9
6.8
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 excels due to its high-resolution display and exceptional brightness, which provide crisp and vivid visuals. In engineering and design, this laptop's broader color gamut coverage ensures accurate color representation crucial for detailed work. Meanwhile, the MSI Pulse GL66's screen, while adequate for everyday tasks and professional applications, falls short for gaming and 3D tasks where a high refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion but isn't a standout feature of this model.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 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.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 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
$2,900
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a price of $2,900 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
7.7
7.2
7.5/10
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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is equipped with a powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and a high-resolution screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz for smooth and detailed gaming and 3D rendering, complemented by a robust Intel i7 CPU and high-quality screen.
Portability
Good
Good
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Pulse GL66 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,900 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 64 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 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 | 503 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 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 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 Pulse GL66
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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 2 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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