MSI GS66 Stealth review
The MSI MSI GS66 Stealth ranks as the #283 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 76. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #134-ranked features among 687 laptops. Consider the MSI Pulse 15 or Microsoft Surface Pro 10, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The MSI GS66 Stealth is a solid gaming laptop with great performance, but it falls short in other areas. The sleek design is undermined by an unpleasant plastic rail on the edge and a lackluster keyboard backlighting. Sound quality is subpar, and microphone quality is poor. Excessive fan noise during heavy use is also a concern. While AMD options offer better CPU performance, this laptop's 2070 Super GPU is impressive. The 300Hz display may not be necessary for gaming, and other specs may be more cost-effective. Ultimately, it's worth considering if you prioritize raw power over overall experience.
Build
The MSI GS66 Stealth's build is sleek and stealthy, but some design elements fall short. The plastic rail on the edge feels out of place, and a unibody design would elevate its aesthetic. The keyboard backlighting is also underwhelming compared to competitors. Speakers and microphone quality are disappointing. Excessive fan noise during gaming scenarios is another drawback. While performance is solid for its size, the GS66 Stealth's build doesn't quite live up to expectations, making it feel like a compromise in this area. A better alternative might be MSI Delta 15, featuring a next-level build.
Display
The MSI GS66 Stealth's display is a mixed bag. While it offers great visuals, I find the 300Hz panel unnecessary for gaming. A 240Hz or even 144Hz display would suffice and save you money. The screen itself is nice to look at, with good color accuracy and brightness. However, it's not without its flaws - the keyboard backlighting is lackluster compared to competitors, and the speakers produce subpar sound. Overall, a decent but not outstanding display experience that could be improved upon. You may find MSI Delta 15 a better fit, thanks to its superior display.
Performance
The MSI GS66 Stealth's performance is solid, but not spectacular. The Intel Core i7 processor handled demanding tasks with ease, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super GPU provided smooth gaming experiences. However, the laptop struggled to maintain high clock speeds, throttling between 3.4 and 3.5 GHz during intense workloads. The system's temperatures also rose uncomfortably high, averaging around 95°C during all-core loads. While still capable of handling most tasks, the GS66 Stealth's performance is somewhat underwhelming given its premium pricing. Overall, it's an average performer in a crowded market. If you’re after a better performance, MSI Katana A15 AI could be the ideal option.
Battery and Charging
The MSI GS66 Stealth's battery life is decent, but its charging speed is subpar. A full charge from empty takes around 2-3 hours, which is slower than average for laptops in this class. Additionally, the battery life itself doesn't last too long, with a max of 5-6 hours in light use. Overall, while not terrible, the battery and charging experience could be improved.
Connectivity
The MSI GS66 Stealth's connectivity options are somewhat limited. There are two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and a single DisplayPort 1.4 port, but no USB-C or Ethernet port to be found. While the wireless connectivity is strong, the lack of multiple USB ports and other connections may leave some users wanting more. For an improved connectivity, MSI Vector GP66 is worth considering.
Features
The MSI GS66 Stealth boasts a sleek design, 15.6" 4K display (G-Sync), Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super GPU, and up to 64GB RAM. It also features a Thunderbolt 3 port, USB ports, an SD card reader, and a 99Wh battery with up to 11 hours of battery life. You might want to check out MSI Stealth 14 AI Studio, featuring an upgraded features for a superior experience.
Support and Maintenance
The MSI GS66 Stealth offers solid performance, but its flaws detract from the overall experience. The keyboard backlighting is subpar, speakers sound terrible, and microphone quality is poor. Additionally, the laptop can be excessively loud during gaming scenarios. Overall, it's a decent option for gaming needs, but maintenance and support may require extra attention to address these issues.
Pros
1. The GS66 Stealth is a sleek and stealthy design.
2. The performance is solid for the size, especially with AMD options available.
3. A great display is offered with the option to upgrade to a 300Hz panel (though not necessarily needed).
4. Gaming performance was really good with the RTX 2070 Super, able to match an RTX 2080 non-super in frame rates.
5. The fast NVMe SSD helps a lot with compression tasks and loading games quickly.
Cons
1. The plastic rail on the edge of the laptop feels cheap and is not a unibody design.
2. The keyboard backlighting is not the greatest, especially compared to the competition.
3. The speakers sound terrible and the microphone quality is trash.
4. The laptop is excessively loud during gaming scenarios.
5. A 300Hz display may be overkill for most gamers, who would be perfectly fine with a 240Hz or even 144Hz display.
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