If you prioritize a larger screen and longer battery life for activities like writing, web browsing, or watching videos, the Apple MacBook Air 15 is suitable with its fanless design ensuring silent operation. Conversely, if you require more power for multitasking or demanding apps, the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo offers a stronger processor, more RAM, and additional storage, yet has a smaller screen and shorter battery life. The MSI also offers flexibility with a touchscreen and is designed for business use. The MacBook Air is typically pricier, while the MSI is somewhat less expensive and aligns better with Windows-based work environments. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo
The MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023).
Key differences
Software Development
8.1/10
7.4/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for software development, while the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo is good.
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.
Screen Quality
7.8/10
7.3/10
15.3in
SIZE
13.4in
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
517.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 offers higher resolution and brighter displays suitable for general use, and its color accuracy is beneficial for engineering and design, but its standard refresh rate is limiting for 3D applications. The MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo, also with good resolution and brightness, caters well to general use and capable of handling CAD work with decent color representation, yet falls short for gaming and 3D tasks where higher refresh rates are critical. Both laptops are less ideal for 3D and gaming due to their screens, which focus on visual fidelity over the fast response needed in those specific areas.
Battery
15.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo has 11 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
10.0/10
7.4/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,199
$699
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,199 and the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo costs $699.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) provides a sleek and silent operation suitable for general use with its efficient Apple M2 CPU, enduring battery life, and high-quality screen, but it has less RAM and storage capacity compared to the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo, which offers more robust multitasking capabilities and flexible 2-in-1 tablet functionality with its Intel i7 CPU, making it also a strong contender for diverse general usage scenarios. Both laptops boast high portability scores, but the MacBook's larger screen and higher battery life make it a better option for those prioritizing display size and time away from the charger, while the Summit E13's higher RAM and additional storage are ideal for users who require more space and power for running concurrent applications.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.3/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air 15, with its M2 GPU, is fair for 3D applications but many popular games are not compatible with macOS, limiting its gaming potential. Conversely, the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo runs Windows 11 Pro and has an Iris Xe GPU, making it suitable for gaming and 3D tasks within its performance range, but it may not run more demanding games smoothly due to the fair GPU power and refresh rates. Both laptops have a standard screen refresh rate, which is less optimal for high-end gaming that benefits from faster rates.
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
7.3/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) with its Apple M2 CPU and integrated GPU is well-suited for engineering and design tasks that require high screen quality and silent operation, although it has less portability and power due to its larger frame and fanless design.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.5/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) to be very good for content creation, while the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
15.3in
SIZE
13.4in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo compare to other laptops
"The Apple MacBook Air 15 is boringly good. The new MacBook Air 15 is a very good, but also boring device, because apart from the larger screen and the higher price, there are no differences compared to the smaller MacBook Air M2 from last year. No new processor, no additional ports, just the usual basic hardware - but the overall package is extremely good and it simply works. Above all, the lack of fans is an aspect that should not be underestimated in everyday use. In our opinion, the Air could be a lot better, but Apple goes easy on itself here."
"MSI wants to prove that it can do more than just gaming laptops and the Summit E13 Flip is a great example of what the manufacturer is capable of especially in terms of aesthetics and performance. Normally for subnotebooks or convertibles, TDP and performance are often below average as makers want to meet slimmer designs and lower weight targets. The Summit manages to outperform others in its size class and category while still looking sleek and portable in the process. If you want a convertible that won't throttle significantly when under load, then this MSI will be one of the better options you can find."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the MSI Summit E13 Flip 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.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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