MSI Pulse GL66 test: RTX-3060 gamer with Alder Lake i9 in need for optimization

Ok, calm down, there are also many positive features. For example, despite the TGP of only 105 watts, the gaming performance can be considered very good. In addition, we like the power consumption, since it is relatively low.

The MSI Pulse GL66 12UEK is really a decent laptop – or at least, it could easily be that. But why does MSI still equip its fairly new gaming series with USB 2.0? Sure, you often have to make do without Thunderbolt in affordable laptops and it is supposed to be targeted towards price-conscious gamers. But price-conscious is also relative, since at least one competitor in our extensive test turned out to be better designed and still more affordable.

The dark display with its relatively slow response times is also not a good purchase argument, just like the short battery life. While the performance is good, there are also faster laptops that provide their RTX 3060 with the full 140 watts, instead of only 105 watts like in the Pulse. So the real purchase argument should be the price. But at 1,900 Euros (~$2,057), it is anything but a steal, and the faster Asus TUF Gaming F15, for example, has a much better display and only costs 1,600 Euros (~$1,732).

Find out more about the MSI Pulse GL66 in our extensive review with many benchmarks and tests.