If you prioritize higher performance and a better display for tasks like video editing or design work, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 is a strong choice with its Mini LED screen and Apple M1 Pro chip. This laptop also boasts long battery life but comes at a higher price and is less portable due to its weight. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo offers a high-resolution OLED display and is more suitable for general use and productivity, with good performance from its Intel processor and dedicated graphics. It's lighter than the MacBook Pro, making it easier to carry, and is more affordable while offering a larger storage capacity. However, the Prestige has a shorter battery life and might not match the MacBook Pro's build quality. Additionally, the MacBook runs macOS, which some prefer for its ecosystem, while the Prestige runs Windows, which could be more compatible with certain software, especially for engineering tasks. 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 16 (2021)
Excellent for general use
Good for gaming and AI
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021).
Key differences
Screen Quality
9.4/10
8.4/10
16.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro's screen stands out for general use and engineering due to its high-resolution Retina display that offers exceptional brightness and color accuracy, covering a broad spectrum of color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, which are crucial for precise design work. The MSI Prestige, while also featuring a high-resolution panel with good color representation, might not match the MacBook Pro's peak brightness and color spectrum, which can be a determinant for design professionals seeking the utmost fidelity. However, for 3D applications that demand high refresh rates for smoother visuals, neither laptop is ideal, as their screens are optimized more for clarity and color precision than the higher refresh rates preferred in gaming or real-time 3D rendering environments.
Battery
17.5 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has 12 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 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,949
$1,349
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has a price of $1,949 and the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo costs $1,349.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) to be excellent for general use, while the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in general use with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, high-quality Mini LED screen, and long battery life, though it's heavier and not as easy to carry around as the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo. The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo also has a robust CPU and ample RAM, an impressive OLED screen, and a compact and lightweight design for better portability, but it doesn't match the MacBook Pro's battery life.
Gaming and AI
7.0/10
6.7/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) to be good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021), with its powerful M1 Pro GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 120 Hz, is equipped for smooth 3D rendering and animation tasks, but it falls short for gaming due to limited compatibility with many popular games that do not support its operating system. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo features a capable Intel Arc GPU and a standard 60 Hz screen refresh rate, offering balanced performance for gaming within the spectrum of Windows-compatible titles and satisfactory 3D capabilities.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
8.4/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in engineering and design due to its powerful Apple M1 Pro processor, ample RAM, high-performance integrated GPU, and a vibrant Mini LED display, and the longer battery life enhances its usability for intense workloads. Similarly, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is well-suited for such tasks with its advanced Intel Core processor, ample RAM, discrete Intel Arc GPU, and a highly detailed OLED screen; it also offers a slightly lighter build for better portability, albeit with lesser battery life.
Content Creation
8.8/10
8.6/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and MSI Prestige 16 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.
Software Development
8.9/10
8.5/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo are both very 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
Good
Good
16.2in
SIZE
16.0in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo compare to other laptops
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."
"The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is meant to be a business-focused laptop, but it ends up being the MacBook challenger PC laptop enthusiasts have longed for. Not only can it meet and, in many cases, surpass the M2-powered MacBooks, but it is also surpassing the baseline M3 MacBooks, which is a giant leap forward for Intel-powered laptops. This isn’t hyperbole; this is what the numbers show."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) or the MSI Prestige 16 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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