MSI Pulse 17From real comments

Verdict distilled from 17 mentions across 8 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment33%
PROS 33%
CONS 67%

Rank based on 17 mentions across 8 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want strong 1080p gaming performance from an RTX 4070 at a relatively accessible price
  • You value easy internal access for RAM/SSD upgrades and extra storage expansion
  • You like the laptop's styled A-side design over more understated rivals

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a bright, high-color-gamut display since max brightness and NTSC coverage are limited
  • You're concerned about long-term hinge/lid durability based on past MSI 17-inch lid issues
  • You want more than 8GB VRAM for future-proofing demanding or upcoming games

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value
1Mid
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro~$1,500 · similar price
Strong gaming/creative performanceExcellent displayMinimalist, non-gamer design with toggleable RGB logoBulky, heavy power adapterTrackpad inconsistencies for some usersLaptop weight impacts portability
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro~$1,500 · similar price
Strong gaming/creative performance
Excellent display
Minimalist, non-gamer design with toggleable RGB logo
Bulky, heavy power adapter
Trackpad inconsistencies for some users
Laptop weight impacts portability
2Mid
Lenovo Legion 7~$1,800 · 1.3× pricier
Premium build and design
Lenovo Legion 7~$1,800 · 1.3× pricier
Premium build and design
3Value
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3~$800 · 1.7× cheaper
Easy RAM and storage upgradesGreat value for priceSolid gaming performanceMediocre stock displayFragile disassembly experienceWeak battery life
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3~$800 · 1.7× cheaper
Easy RAM and storage upgrades
Great value for price
Solid gaming performance
Mediocre stock display
Fragile disassembly experience
Weak battery life
4Mid
Lenovo Legion Slim 5~$1,200 · similar price
Strong value for moneyQuality OLED/high-nit displaySolid build quality and keyboardWeak speakersMediocre battery lifeDisplay quality variance between units
Lenovo Legion Slim 5~$1,200 · similar price
Strong value for money
Quality OLED/high-nit display
Solid build quality and keyboard
Weak speakers
Mediocre battery life
Display quality variance between units
5Mid
Asus ROG Strix G15~$1,299 · similar price
Upgradeable RAM and storage
Asus ROG Strix G15~$1,299 · similar price
Upgradeable RAM and storage
6Mid
Lenovo Legion 5~$1,200 · similar price
Upgradable RAM and storageReliable long-term performanceDisplay and design choicesLimited VRAM on GPU optionsHard-to-find RAM slotsReduced port placement and bay options
Lenovo Legion 5~$1,200 · similar price
Upgradable RAM and storage
Reliable long-term performance
Display and design choices
Limited VRAM on GPU options
Hard-to-find RAM slots
Reduced port placement and bay options
7Mid
ASUS TUF Gaming A16~$1,199 · similar price
Excellent price-to-performance valueSleek, non-gamer aesthetic and solid buildStrong gaming performanceBuild durability issues over timeFan noise under loadSoftware instability and throttling
ASUS TUF Gaming A16~$1,199 · similar price
Excellent price-to-performance value
Sleek, non-gamer aesthetic and solid build
Strong gaming performance
Build durability issues over time
Fan noise under load
Software instability and throttling
8Mid
Lenovo Legion Slim 7~$1,700 · 1.2× pricier
Premium build qualityStrong gaming/GPU performanceStealthy, non-gamer lookInconsistent, often weak battery lifeLoud or high-pitched fan noiseMissing Ethernet port
Lenovo Legion Slim 7~$1,700 · 1.2× pricier
Premium build quality
Strong gaming/GPU performance
Stealthy, non-gamer look
Inconsistent, often weak battery life
Loud or high-pitched fan noise
Missing Ethernet port
9Mid
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14~$1,599 · similar price
Clean, premium designStrong gaming and productivity performanceGood battery life in eco/silent modeRising prices year over yearHeat and thermal issues under loadSoldered, non-upgradeable RAM
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14~$1,599 · similar price
Clean, premium design
Strong gaming and productivity performance
Good battery life in eco/silent mode
Rising prices year over year
Heat and thermal issues under load
Soldered, non-upgradeable RAM
10Mid
ASUS TUF Dash F15~$1,099 · 1.3× cheaper
Good value in RTX 3050/3060 configurationsUpgradeable RAM and storageThin and light portability4-core CPU bottleneckRTX 3070 variant poor valueNo webcam
ASUS TUF Dash F15~$1,099 · 1.3× cheaper
Good value in RTX 3050/3060 configurations
Upgradeable RAM and storage
Thin and light portability
4-core CPU bottleneck
RTX 3070 variant poor value
No webcam
You are here
19Mid
MSI Pulse 17~$1,399
Strong 1080p Gaming PerformanceEasy to Upgrade and ServiceAppealing DesignDim, Low-Spec DisplayInconsistent High TemperaturesLimited VRAM
MSI Pulse 17~$1,399
Strong 1080p Gaming Performance
Easy to Upgrade and Service
Appealing Design
Dim, Low-Spec Display
Inconsistent High Temperatures
Limited VRAM

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Gaming performance is a clear strength thanks to the RTX 4070 and 13th Gen Intel pairing. Commenters describe the RTX 4070 Mobile as one of the best and most affordable Nvidia GPUs for 1080p gaming, delivering strong performance even without frame generation enabled. One buyer notes this configuration should handle games on ultra settings at over 100fps with DLSS quality mode. However, others question long-term viability given only 8GB of VRAM, worrying it could become a bottleneck for demanding future titles like GTA 6.

The display is a recurring letdown relative to the internal hardware. One commenter points out the laptop pairs powerful hardware with just a 1080p 144Hz panel rated 250 nits and 45% NTSC, calling the mismatch out directly. Separately, multiple buyers complain that maximum brightness feels far too low even at full setting, with one saying they couldn't find display settings in the Nvidia control panel to compensate, making the screen a weak point for an otherwise capable machine.

Thermal behavior is inconsistent across units, while servicing is notably easy. Some owners report CPU temperatures spiking to 90-97C under turbo boost during gaming, while others see 85-93C and wonder why their unit runs hotter than others reviewed online, suggesting variance between individual units or cooling setups. On the upside, MSI's chassis design earns praise for accessibility: owners say opening the back cover and reaching the extra M.2 slot for a 2TB NVMe upgrade took only a screwdriver and about ten minutes.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?