Updated March 14, 2024·Prices updated 24 hours ago
When considering the more expensive Apple MacBook Pro, you're paying for higher performance suitable for demanding tasks like video editing, a superior display, and a robust build, but it's heavier, making it less ideal for frequent travel. The MSI Prestige is more budget-friendly and offers good performance for general use and business applications with added portability, but it may not handle intensive tasks as smoothly, and the build quality might not match the MacBook's standards. Balance your need for advanced capabilities and build against cost savings and portability when choosing between these two laptops. 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 14 (2021)
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Excellent overall display quality
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
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021).
Key differences
Software Development
8.3/10
7.7/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the MSI Prestige 14 AI 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
9.2/10
7.8/10
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 comes with a high-resolution Retina display which is known for its superior brightness and color accuracy, making it excellent for general use and tasks that require precise color representation like engineering and design. However, the screen's refresh rate isn't typically high, which is less than ideal for 3D applications that benefit from smoother motion. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo offers good resolution and color fidelity for everyday tasks and professional design work, but its display may not have the high refresh rates needed for optimal gaming and 3D rendering performance.
Battery
13.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 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 14 (2021) 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
$1,905
$1,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo costs $1,300.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo are both very good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a powerful CPU and ample RAM, ensuring smooth performance for most tasks; its high-quality screen, long battery life, and solid build enhance the user experience, making it suitable for everyday use and professional work. The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, while also offering a strong CPU and sufficient RAM, is lighter and more portable, and also comes with a high-quality screen and a commendable battery life, catering to users who prioritize mobility without compromising on performance for general computing needs.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.8/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The MacBook Pro 14, with its superior GPU and high-quality screen, excels in 3D tasks and provides smooth visuals crucial for design work, but its gaming capabilities are limited as many popular games are not compatible with macOS. On the other hand, while the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo has a fair GPU for gaming and 3D tasks, it might fall short against intense demands despite its decent CPU and screen quality.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.8/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) to be very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a powerful CPU and dedicated GPU that excel in engineering applications, along with a high-quality screen and ample RAM for multitasking, making it a top choice for engineering and design tasks. The MSI Prestige 14, while also equipped with a solid CPU and RAM for engineering software, offers greater portability and lower operating noise but may not match the MacBook's performance due to a less powerful GPU and slightly lesser screen quality.
Content Creation
8.4/10
8.0/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and MSI Prestige 14 AI 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 Pro 14 (2021) and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo compare to other laptops
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo
0
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
167,295
Recommendations made
36,248
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.