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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 14, 2024·
If you prefer a lighter, more portable laptop with a strong battery life and don't need high-end performance for demanding tasks, the Apple MacBook Air is a solid choice and comes with the benefit of a lower price. On the other hand, if your work involves resource-intensive software, like 3D modeling, machine learning, or engineering applications, the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo offers more power which could be essential for your tasks, but it comes with a higher cost and might have a shorter battery life compared to the MacBook Air. 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 Apple MacBook Air (2020)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo
- Very good for general use
- Very good for content creation
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.8
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The MacBook Air's integrated graphics are less capable for gaming and 3D applications compared to the MSI Prestige's more powerful GPU, and its limited screen refresh rate can hinder the smoothness in fast-paced games. Additionally, the MacBook Air is further restricted by the limited availability of popular games for macOS, while the MSI Prestige, running Windows, supports a wider range of gaming titles.
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.8
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both good for engineering and design, though the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Air, with its efficient CPU and high-quality screen, offers a solid balance for design tasks, but its integrated GPU may limit performance for graphics-intensive engineering software. Whereas the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, with a more powerful dedicated GPU and ample RAM, better supports demanding engineering applications, though it may be heavier and have a noisier operation compared to the MacBook Air.
Screen Quality
7.5
7.8
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
395.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Air for gaming and AI, and software development.
For general use, both the MacBook Air and MSI Prestige 14 offer panels with ample resolution and brightness, ensuring crisp, clear images and comfortable visibility under various lighting conditions. In engineering and design, these laptops boast wide color gamuts, delivering accurate color representation crucial for detailed work, but the MacBook Air typically provides better color accuracy out of the box. However, for 3D applications where smooth motion is key, the lower refresh rates of both screens can lead to less fluid visuals, which is suboptimal for dynamic content creation or gaming.
Battery
15.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo has 8 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.
Build Quality
10.0
7.4
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has best in class build quality, while the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has a price of $1,000 and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
8.0
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
395.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo to be very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good.
The Apple MacBook Air offers a balance of performance with its efficient CPU and sufficient RAM, long battery life, and high-quality screen, all wrapped in a lightweight and highly portable design that's also known for being quiet and cool under load. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, while still portable, provides a more powerful CPU for demanding tasks, a vibrant screen, additional RAM for intensive multitasking, and features a keyboard and speakers that are a step up in quality, though it may not match the MacBook's battery longevity.
Content Creation
7.8
8.0
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo to be very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good.
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
7.7
7.7
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) and MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Apple MacBook Air (2020) and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2020) | MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2020 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.63'' | 12.3'' x 7.5'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.8 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.3" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 7.46" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 49.9 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 395 nits | 415 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air (2020)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | July 2022
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2020) or the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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.
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