The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is generally pricier but offers stronger performance for intensive engineering tasks, 3D work, or machine learning, with its Apple M1 Pro processor and GPU. It also has outstanding build quality, a high-resolution Mini LED display, and better color accuracy, which can be crucial for creative professionals. On the other hand, the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo is more affordable, lighter, and includes a touchscreen with support for a stylus. Its performance is suitable for general use and business applications, and it sports an Intel Core i7 processor with integrated Iris Xe graphics. The MSI Summit is also a convertible, making it versatile for presentations or use in tablet mode. However, it doesn't match the MacBook in terms of display quality or high-end performance. The right choice depends on whether you prioritize portability and price over top-tier performance and display quality. 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 general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
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 Summit E13 Flip Evo
The MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.6/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
517.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use due to its superior CPU performance, screen quality featuring Mini LED technology, and excellent battery life, along with a high-quality keyboard and speakers; it is also highly portable but heavier than the MSI. On the other hand, the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo is good for general use with a competitive CPU, ample RAM, and a quality IPS touchscreen for tablet use, while also being lighter and offering a unique 2-in-1 flexibility, though it has a shorter battery life and less impressive screen color performance than the MacBook Pro.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.3/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is superior for engineering and design due to its powerful Apple M1 Pro processor, high screen resolution on Mini LED display for sharp and accurate color representation, and robust GPU for graphics-intensive tasks.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
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) is 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.
Software Development
8.3/10
7.4/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
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 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
9.2/10
7.3/10
14.2in
SIZE
13.4in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
517.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 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 Pro 14's display is renowned for its high resolution, brightness, and wider color gamuts such as DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, which ensure crisp visuals and vibrant colors, making it ideal for engineering, design, and general use. However, its typically lower refresh rate is less optimal for 3D applications, where smoother motion is more crucial. The MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo offers a balance with good resolution and brightness, but it may lack the advanced color range and high refresh rates needed for top-tier engineering tasks, gaming, and 3D modeling.
Battery
13.5 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 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 Pro 14 (2021) 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
$1,905
$699
$0
$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 Summit E13 Flip Evo costs $699.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.2in
SIZE
13.4in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) 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 Summit E13 Flip 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."
"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 Pro 14 (2021) 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 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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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