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Updated January 10, 2024·
The MSI Pulse GL66 offers high performance for gaming or intensive engineering tasks with its powerful GPU and CPU, but this also means it has a shorter battery life and is heavier, making it less portable than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s. Conversely, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is lighter and offers longer battery life with its integrated graphics, making it ideal for general use and suitable for business context, but it isn't built for heavy graphics or engineering applications. Choose the MSI Pulse GL66 for performance-oriented tasks or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s for portability and office work. 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 MSI Pulse GL66
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
- Good overall display quality
- Excellent portability
- Good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.2
6.4
7.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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.
Content Creation
7.2
7.8
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for content creation, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is somewhat better.
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
7.0
7.7
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for software development, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is somewhat better.
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
6.8
7.2
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
245.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
The MSI Pulse GL66 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If you prioritize crisp text and vibrant images for tasks like web browsing and document work, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s with its good resolution and brightness offers better screen quality for general use. For engineering and design professionals who need accurate color representation, the ThinkBook's superior color gamut coverage will make a noticeable difference. Meanwhile, gamers and 3D artists looking for fluid motion and quick screen response may find the MSI Pulse GL66 less suitable due to its lower refresh rate, despite having an acceptable resolution and panel type for moderate use.
Battery
4.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The MSI Pulse GL66 has 4 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has 8 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
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has excellent portability, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,399
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The MSI Pulse GL66 has a price of $1,399 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.3
7.8
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
245.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use.
The MSI Pulse GL66, with a powerful processor and dedicated graphics, is better suited for those interested in gaming or graphic-intensive tasks, but its larger size and shorter battery life make it less portable than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, which boasts a sharp, high-resolution screen and longer battery life making it more suitable for on-the-go use and productivity tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.5
7.5
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
7.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for engineering and design.
The MSI Pulse GL66 is equipped with a powerful CPU and dedicated GPU, suitable for demanding engineering and design applications, along with a larger screen that has a high refresh rate; however, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, while lacking a dedicated GPU, has a high-resolution display with better color coverage which is beneficial for design tasks, and it offers greater portability due to its smaller size and longer battery life. Although both have the same amount of RAM and capable CPUs for complex tasks, the ThinkBook 13s offers a touchscreen and a higher portability score, which may appeal to users frequently on the move or those who prefer interactive screen input.
Build Quality
7.4
7.6
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and MSI Pulse GL66 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the MSI Pulse GL66 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Pulse GL66 | Lenovo ThinkBook 13s |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,399 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | 11.7'' x 8.3'' x 0.59'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.63 lbs | 2.9 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 11.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.2" | 8.3" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11800H | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 53 Wh | 56 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 245 nits | 336 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
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."
Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chin | July 2021
"The best thing about the ThinkBook 13S is that it’s a good deal. Business buyers looking for ThinkPad-level performance and software without ThinkPad pricing will probably find the ThinkBook a solid option. While nothing about it is really spectacular, it’s certainly unusual to see the ThinkBook’s screen resolution at a sub-$1,000 price, and its performance will be more than adequate for most office tasks. The generous port selection, 16:10 aspect ratio, physical webcam shutter, and clear audio are certainly icing on the cake."
Get a great deal on the MSI Pulse GL66 or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
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.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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