What To Know
- The Razer Blade 15 offers a range of display options, including 144Hz and 300Hz refresh rates and Full HD and 4K resolutions.
- While the GS66 Stealth’s 240Hz display is excellent, the Blade 15 offers higher refresh rates and 4K resolution for an even more immersive gaming experience.
- Similar to the GS66 Stealth, the Blade 15 also offers 32GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, providing ample storage and fast performance.
The battle for the best gaming laptop is fierce, and two titans consistently stand at the top: the MSI GS66 Stealth and the Razer Blade 15. Both machines boast sleek designs, powerful hardware, and impressive performance. Choosing between them can be a tough decision, especially when each has its own strengths and weaknesses. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of each laptop, helping you determine which one is the perfect fit for your gaming needs.
Design and Build Quality
MSI GS66 Stealth: The GS66 Stealth is a testament to MSI’s commitment to sleek aesthetics. Its thin and light design, measuring just 0.7 inches thick and weighing in at 4.4 pounds, makes it incredibly portable. The chassis is crafted from durable aluminum, giving it a premium feel and a sturdy construction. The GS66 features a minimalist design with sharp lines and a subtle MSI logo, ensuring it blends seamlessly with any environment.
Razer Blade 15: The Razer Blade 15 is known for its striking design that exudes a distinct gaming vibe. It boasts a sleek black aluminum chassis with a distinctive, angular design. The iconic Razer logo illuminates the lid, adding a touch of flair. While slightly thicker than the GS66 at 0.78 inches and weighing in at 4.7 pounds, the Blade 15 still remains remarkably portable.
Verdict: Both laptops offer exceptional build quality and sleek aesthetics. The GS66 Stealth takes the edge for portability due to its slightly thinner profile and lighter weight. However, the Razer Blade 15’s distinctive design and iconic logo are sure to appeal to those seeking a more visually striking machine.
Display
MSI GS66 Stealth: The GS66 Stealth offers a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time. This combination ensures smooth gameplay and a responsive experience, even in fast-paced games. The display also features a wide color gamut, covering 100% of the sRGB color space, offering vibrant and accurate colors.
Razer Blade 15: The Razer Blade 15 offers a range of display options, including 144Hz and 300Hz refresh rates and Full HD and 4K resolutions. The 300Hz refresh rate option provides an even smoother gaming experience, while the 4K display offers stunning detail and clarity. The Blade 15 also features a wide color gamut, covering 100% of the sRGB color space.
Verdict: The Razer Blade 15 wins this round with its wider range of display options. While the GS66 Stealth’s 240Hz display is excellent, the Blade 15 offers higher refresh rates and 4K resolution for an even more immersive gaming experience.
Performance
MSI GS66 Stealth: The GS66 Stealth is powered by the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER graphics card. This combination delivers exceptional performance, capable of handling even the most demanding games at high settings. The GS66 also features 32GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, ensuring fast loading times and smooth multitasking.
Razer Blade 15: The Razer Blade 15 is available with various processor and graphics card options, including the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER graphics card. Similar to the GS66 Stealth, the Blade 15 also offers 32GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, providing ample storage and fast performance.
Verdict: Both laptops deliver top-notch performance, powered by the latest hardware. The choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget. If you prioritize maximum performance, the GS66 Stealth’s specific configuration offers a slight edge. However, the Razer Blade 15’s variety of options allows you to customize the machine to your exact specifications and budget.
Keyboard and Touchpad
MSI GS66 Stealth: The GS66 Stealth features a comfortable and responsive keyboard with per-key RGB lighting. The keys offer good travel distance and a satisfying tactile feedback. The touchpad is large and responsive, providing accurate and smooth navigation.
Razer Blade 15: The Razer Blade 15 also boasts a comfortable and responsive keyboard with per-key RGB lighting. The keys offer a slightly shallower travel distance than the GS66 Stealth, but still provide a satisfying typing experience. The touchpad is slightly smaller than the GS66 Stealth’s but remains responsive and accurate.
Verdict: Both laptops offer excellent keyboard and touchpad experiences. The GS66 Stealth’s slightly deeper key travel may be preferred by some users, while the Razer Blade 15’s smaller touchpad might not be ideal for everyone.
Battery Life
MSI GS66 Stealth: The GS66 Stealth offers decent battery life for a gaming laptop, lasting around 6-7 hours on a single charge with light usage. However, demanding tasks like gaming will significantly reduce battery life.
Razer Blade 15: The Razer Blade 15 offers comparable battery life to the GS66 Stealth, lasting around 5-6 hours on a single charge with light usage. Gaming will also drastically decrease battery life, making it less suitable for all-day productivity without a power outlet.
Verdict: Both laptops fall short in terms of battery life when compared to ultra-thin laptops designed for productivity. However, they offer respectable battery life for a gaming laptop, allowing you to get some work done or browse the web on the go.
Ports and Connectivity
MSI GS66 Stealth: The GS66 Stealth offers a good selection of ports, including three USB-A ports, one USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support, an HDMI port, a mini DisplayPort, and an RJ-45 Ethernet port. It also features a built-in webcam and a fingerprint sensor.
Razer Blade 15: The Razer Blade 15 also offers a decent selection of ports, including two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, an HDMI port, a mini DisplayPort, and an RJ-45 Ethernet port. It also features a built-in webcam and a fingerprint sensor.
Verdict: Both laptops offer a similar selection of ports and connectivity options. The Razer Blade 15’s two Thunderbolt 3 ports provide added flexibility for connecting external displays and devices.
Sound Quality
MSI GS66 Stealth: The GS66 Stealth features two speakers with Hi-Res Audio certification, delivering clear and immersive sound. The speakers are capable of producing loud and detailed audio, making them suitable for both gaming and multimedia consumption.
Razer Blade 15: The Razer Blade 15 also features two speakers with THX Spatial Audio certification, offering a wider soundstage and more immersive audio experience. The speakers are also capable of producing loud and detailed audio, making them ideal for gaming and multimedia.
Verdict: Both laptops offer excellent sound quality. The Razer Blade 15’s THX Spatial Audio certification gives it a slight edge for a more immersive and spatially aware audio experience.
Software and Features
MSI GS66 Stealth: The GS66 Stealth comes with MSI’s Dragon Center software, which allows you to customize various settings, including fan speeds, keyboard lighting, and performance profiles. It also includes features like Cooler Boost 5 and MSI Mystic Light, enhancing cooling and lighting capabilities.
Razer Blade 15: The Razer Blade 15 comes with Razer Synapse 3 software, which allows you to customize various settings, including keyboard lighting, macro keys, and performance profiles. It also includes features like Razer Chroma RGB lighting, allowing you to customize the lighting of the keyboard, logo, and other peripherals.
Verdict: Both laptops offer comprehensive software suites for customizing settings and enhancing features. The choice ultimately depends on your preferences. MSI Dragon Center is known for its robust features and ease of use, while Razer Synapse 3 offers a more streamlined and intuitive interface.
Price and Value
MSI GS66 Stealth: The GS66 Stealth is typically priced around $1,800 for the base model with a Core i7 processor and RTX 2060 graphics card. Higher configurations with Core i9 processors and RTX 2080 SUPER graphics cards can cost upwards of $2,500.
Razer Blade 15: The Razer Blade 15 is priced similarly to the GS66 Stealth, with the base model starting at around $1,800 for a Core i7 processor and RTX 2060 graphics card. Higher configurations with Core i9 processors and RTX 2080 SUPER graphics cards can also cost upwards of $2,500.
Verdict: Both laptops offer excellent value for their price, providing powerful hardware and premium features. The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences. Consider the specific configurations and features that best align with your budget and gaming requirements.
The Final Verdict: The Best Choice For You
The MSI GS66 Stealth and the Razer Blade 15 are both exceptional gaming laptops with their own unique strengths. The GS66 Stealth excels in portability and a minimalistic design, while the Razer Blade 15 offers a wider range of display options and a more visually striking design. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual priorities and preferences.
If you prioritize portability and a sleek, understated design, the MSI GS66 Stealth is an excellent choice. Its thin and light design makes it easy to carry around, and its minimalist aesthetics blend seamlessly with any environment. However, if you prefer a more visually striking design and prioritize a wider range of display options, the Razer Blade 15 is a strong contender. Its distinctive design and choice of high-refresh rate and 4K displays cater to gamers seeking an immersive and visually impressive experience.
Answers to Your Questions
Q: Which laptop has better cooling performance?
A: Both the GS66 Stealth and the Razer Blade 15 feature advanced cooling systems. The GS66 Stealth boasts MSI‘s Cooler Boost 5 technology, while the Razer Blade 15 utilizes a vapor chamber cooling system. Both systems effectively manage heat, preventing throttling and ensuring optimal performance.
Q: Which laptop is better for content creation?
A: Both laptops are capable of handling demanding content creation tasks. The GS66 Stealth’s wide color gamut display and powerful hardware make it suitable for photo and video editing. The Razer Blade 15’s 4K display option offers even greater detail and clarity for content creation.
Q: Which laptop is more durable?
A: Both laptops are constructed from durable aluminum, offering a sturdy and robust build. However, the Razer Blade 15’s slightly thicker chassis might offer slightly more protection against accidental drops and bumps.
Q: Which laptop is better for competitive gaming?
A: Both laptops offer excellent performance for competitive gaming. The GS66 Stealth’s 240Hz display provides a smooth and responsive experience, while the Razer Blade 15’s 300Hz display option offers an even faster refresh rate. Ultimately, the choice depends on your individual preference and the specific game you play.
Q: Which laptop is better overall?
A: The best laptop for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If portability, minimalist aesthetics, and robust cooling are your top priorities, the MSI GS66 Stealth is an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a visually striking design, a wider range of display options, and enhanced audio quality, the Razer Blade 15 is a strong contender.
