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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize performance and can accommodate a heavier and bulkier laptop, the MSI Titan GT77, with its higher-end graphics card, might be ideal, especially for gaming or intensive engineering tasks. However, if portability is more important for you and touch-screen functionality is desired, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 would be more suitable. While it may not match the Titan's top-tier performance, it's lighter and offers good performance for general use and some 3D/machine learning tasks. Consider the balance between carrying ease and high-demand computing when making your choice. 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
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Titan GT77
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Best in class for gaming and AI
- Excellent for software development
- Excellent for content creation
- Best in class overall display quality
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.3
8.9
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
602.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.5/10
The MSI Titan GT77 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 are both very good for general use, though the MSI Titan GT77 is somewhat better.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is well-suited for general use due to its significant RAM, high-quality IPS screen, moderate weight for portability, and good battery life, alongside a flexible display hinge for versatility. On the other hand, the MSI Titan GT77 also excels in general use with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, superior Mini LED display with higher resolution, and considerable storage, but its larger size and heavier weight make it less portable, even though it has an exceptional battery capacity and heat management for intensive tasks.
Gaming and AI
7.7
10.0
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The MSI Titan GT77 is best in class for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is good.
The MSI Titan GT77 leads in gaming and 3D capabilities mainly because it has a more powerful graphics card (Nvidia RTX 4080) and a higher screen refresh rate compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 which has a less powerful graphics card (Nvidia RTX 4060) and a lower refresh rate. Additionally, the Titan GT77's CPU is superior and its screen offers higher resolution and quality, which are also important for an immersive gaming and 3D experience.
Engineering and Design
8.7
10.0
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
64.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
The MSI Titan GT77 is best in class for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, with its flexible display hinge and lighter build, is well-suited for engineering and design, offering a balance of performance with portability and versatility. In contrast, the MSI Titan GT77 boasts superior computing power with cutting-edge CPU and GPU, spacious storage, and an exceptional screen, but is significantly heavier and less portable, catering more to stationary use where maximum performance is non-negotiable.
Content Creation
8.4
9.1
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
64.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan GT77 is excellent for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very 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
9.1
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
64.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan GT77 is excellent for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very 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
9.7
14.4in
SIZE
17.3in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
602.0 nits
The MSI Titan GT77 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, a crisp display with high resolution and brightness adds to the visual comfort and clarity on the Surface Laptop Studio 2, whereas the MSI Titan GT77 outshines with its superior panel that offers vivid colors and sharpness that's ideal for multimedia consumption. In engineering and design tasks, color accuracy is key, and both laptops provide wide color gamuts, ensuring that designers see accurate colors, with the MSI Titan GT77 offering slightly higher coverage of professional color spaces. However, for 3D and gaming, a high refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion, which neither the Surface Laptop Studio 2 nor the MSI Titan GT77 excel in, as their displays are tailored more toward professional tasks and general usage than high-end gaming.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan GT77 has 5 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
Poor
14.4in
SIZE
17.3in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
7.2 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has good portability, while the MSI Titan GT77 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,900
$6,975
$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 Titan GT77 costs $6,975.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Titan GT77 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 2 and the MSI Titan GT77 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 | MSI Titan GT77 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,900 | $6,975 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | 15.6'' x 13'' x 0.91'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 7.28 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 15.63" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 12.99" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i9-13980HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 64 GB | 64 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 2048 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 503 nits | 602 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
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 Titan GT77
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"The MSI Titan GT77 HX 13V is the utimate gaming laptop with RTX 4090 & Core i9-13950HX. The new MSI Titan GT77 will most likely only reach a very small group of users due to the high price, but it is still an impressive showcase of what is possible. The high-end gamer combines the best components you can currently get in almost every regard and it is a very good overall package, which does not have to hide behind full-fledged desktop systems."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 or the MSI Titan GT77
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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