MSI Pulse GL76 skips G-Sync, MUX, Advanced Optimus, and Thunderbolt support to keep prices low

Gamers who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for a fully packed high-end gaming laptop can still get almost the same performance from the less expensive MSI Pulse GL76. The model is currently retailing for $1400 USD or less when on sale at Costco.com. It is a midrange gaming laptop sandwiched between the cheaper MSI GP or GF series and pricier MSI GE or GT series.

In our review of the GL76, we found its raw performance and display to be spectacular for the price. The combination of a 12th gen Core i7-12700H CPU, 105 W GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, and 360 Hz IPS display is a few steps above most other gaming laptops retailing for under $1400 USD. These options are commonly found on more expensive models like the MSI GE series or Asus ROG Strix series.

Of course, some cut corners must be made in order to reach lower price points. In this case, the GL76 omits some core features common on other midrange or higher gaming laptops like G-Sync, MUX, and Thunderbolt support. Asus ROG laptops, for example, all sport liquid metal thermal paste for better cooling and thus higher TDP ceilings. Enthusiasts who care about such features may still want to go all-in on a high-end model as a result. For users on tighter budgets, however, the GL76 checks off most of the important features you’ll want for no-frills gaming.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.