If portability is a priority, the ASUS Zenbook S 13 is lighter and has a higher portability score, making it easier to carry around. It also offers an OLED screen, which generally means more vibrant colors and deeper blacks, plus it has slightly longer battery life. However, if you're seeking more powerful performance for tasks like 3D rendering or engineering software, the MSI Prestige 16, with its higher performance scores, may be the better choice. The tradeoff is that it's heavier and has a larger screen, which could be beneficial for multitasking and viewing details but makes it less portable. Both laptops have similar storage, RAM, and are suitable for general use, and neither is optimal for intensive gaming. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook S 13
Best in class portability
Very good battery life
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 16
The MSI Prestige 16 has no clear advantages over the ASUS Zenbook S 13.
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.1/10
8.3/10
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
365.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 16 for general use, engineering and design, and software development, while the MSI Prestige 16 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
For general use, both the ASUS Zenbook S 13 and the MSI Prestige 16 offer sharp, vivid displays with high resolution and brightness, delivering a comfortable and clear viewing experience for everyday tasks like browsing and office work. When it comes to engineering and design, the wide color gamuts on both laptops ensure precise color representation, making them suitable for professional photo editing and graphic design. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on these laptops may lead to less smooth visuals, which can be a drawback for fast-paced games and complex 3D rendering.
Battery
11.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has 11 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 16 has 7.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Best in Class
Good
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2.2 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has best in class portability, while the MSI Prestige 16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,400
$1,611
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a price of $1,400 and the MSI Prestige 16 costs $1,611.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and MSI Prestige 16 are both very good for general use.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 offers top-notch portability and battery life, ideal for users frequently on the move, and its OLED screen provides exceptional visual quality for general computing tasks. Alternatively, the MSI Prestige 16, while heavier and bulkier, offers a larger screen and robust performance capabilities for more demanding general use, alongside good battery life and heat management, with a high-quality keyboard and speakers enhancing the user experience.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.7/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Prestige 16 and ASUS Zenbook S 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.2/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 16 and ASUS Zenbook S 13 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13, with its high-resolution OLED screen, offers superior screen quality and is lighter, making it more portable for engineering and design, whereas the MSI Prestige 16's faster CPU and larger screen size may be more suited for intensive tasks but at the cost of increased weight and size.
Content Creation
8.5/10
8.3/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and MSI Prestige 16 are both very good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.3/10
8.1/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and MSI Prestige 16 are both very good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
7.6/10
7.4/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and MSI Prestige 16 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Zenbook S 13 and the MSI Prestige 16 compare to other laptops
"The Asus Zenbook S 13 is the slimmest OLED ultrabook worldwide struggles with annoying fans. The new Zenbook S 13 leaves us with mixed feelings, particularly since last year's model was so good. Asus has completely reworked the device, making the laptop noticeably slimmer. The result also looks good and the case makes a great impression, particularly also in terms of the stability. The new plasma ceramic surface feels great, and there are no problems with fingerprints. In addition, it now includes some of the known connections such as an HDMI port and a regular USB-A connection, which is a good achievement in such a slim device."
"The MSI Prestige 16 Evo: 2023's best value 16” thin & light laptop with i7-13700H. One of the top choices for professionals and students seeking a high-performance, portable computing solution in 2023. While the MSI Prestige 16 Evo A13M may not boast the most striking design compared to some other 16" options, its relatively "safe" styling lends itself well to professional and educational environments. Significantly, it doesn't compromise on essential features like port selection or cooling performance, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient thermal management. The 16 Evo A13M offers an excellent combination of performance, portability, and functionality, making it a compelling choice for professionals and students alike."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook S 13 or the MSI Prestige 16
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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