If you value a sleek design and an operating system that's optimized for creative software, the MacBook Pro is a strong choice, though keep in mind its ports might be limited. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige offers cutting-edge AI capabilities and may provide more power for engineering and machine learning tasks, yet it might have a shorter battery life and could feel heavier, affecting portability. Consider your primary activities: if they include video editing or design, lean towards the MacBook, but for more technical computing or variety in software compatibility, the MSI could be more appropriate. 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 Pro 13 (2020)
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class 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
Screen Quality
7.6/10
7.8/10
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo for general use, and engineering and design, while the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo has a better screen for gaming and AI, and software development.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) excels in screen quality for general use and engineering with its high-resolution Retina display offering vibrant colors and excellent brightness, while also covering a broad spectrum of color gamuts which are crucial for precision in design tasks. However, it falls short for 3D applications because it lacks a high refresh rate, which is essential for smooth rendering of fast-moving graphics. The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, on the other hand, provides good screen quality for general use and engineering with respectable brightness and color accuracy, but its screen isn't optimized for gaming or 3D work where a high refresh rate is key to a better experience.
Battery
20.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 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
10.0/10
7.4/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (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.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo to be very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 offers a high-quality display, exceptional build quality including a comfortable keyboard, and long battery life, making it a solid option for general use while maintaining portability. The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, on the other hand, typically offers more powerful CPU options and additional RAM, enhancing performance for more demanding tasks, but this may come at the expense of shorter battery life and higher heat production.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
6.8/10
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 Pro 13 (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020), with its integrated graphics, handles 3D applications decently but may struggle with more graphically-demanding tasks, and its standard refresh rate isn't ideal for fast-paced gaming. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, also with integrated graphics, offers fair performance for both gaming and 3D scenarios, but keep in mind that its capabilities are limited compared to dedicated gaming laptops, and while it supports a wider range of games than the MacBook, it still may not satisfy hardcore gaming needs.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
7.8/10
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 Pro 13 (2020) are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 offers a robust CPU and high-quality screen, which are vital for engineering and design tasks, but its integrated GPU may limit performance in highly graphical tasks compared to the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, which includes a dedicated GPU to better handle graphics-intensive work. Additionally, the MSI has the advantage of being more portable and having a high-quality keyboard and less operating noise, making it a better choice for on-the-go engineers and designers who also require a strong balance between performance and usability.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.0/10
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 Pro 13 (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
7.8/10
7.7/10
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 Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo 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
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,249
$1,300
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo costs $1,300.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo compare to other laptops
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (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.
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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