If price is a major concern and you're looking for general use, the Dell XPS 13 offers a balance of performance, portability, and affordability. For more demanding tasks such as 3D work, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo may justify the higher cost with better performance. However, this could come at the expense of shorter battery life and less portability. Consider the Dell for everyday tasks and great portability or the MSI for intensive work and a performance edge, keeping in mind the higher cost and potential tradeoffs. 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 Dell XPS 13
Very good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo
Very good for general use
Very good for content creation
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 13, while boasting a high-quality screen, tends to have integrated graphics and standard refresh rates that may limit performance in gaming and 3D applications, whereas the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo often includes dedicated GPUs with better capabilities for these tasks, but may still fall short for high-end gaming due to moderate refresh rates. Both laptops have capable CPUs and screen quality that support day-to-day activities and lighter creative tasks, but their gaming and 3D performance will not match that of laptops specifically designed for those purposes.
Engineering and Design
7.2/10
7.8/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo and Dell XPS 13 are both good for engineering and design, though the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 13, with its high-quality CPU, ample RAM, and superior screen, offers a strong foundation for engineering and design software, ensuring smooth performance and vivid display. Meanwhile, the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo steps up with similar CPU and RAM benefits, complemented by a dedicated GPU for more graphically intensive tasks, albeit with a slightly less portable design due to its larger size.
Screen Quality
7.2/10
7.8/10
13.4in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Dell XPS 13 and MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo both offer displays with high resolution and brightness, ensuring sharp images and good visibility under different lighting conditions, which is essential for everyday tasks such as browsing, watching videos, and document editing. Both laptops have wide color gamuts, providing accurate colors necessary for engineering and design work, where precision in color representation can be critical for the outcome of projects. However, for 3D applications and gaming, they fall short as they lack high refresh rates, leading to less fluid motion and slower response times, which can hinder immersive and competitive gameplay experiences.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 has 10 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.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
13.4in
SIZE
14.0in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.4/10
The Dell XPS 13 has very good 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
$850
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $850 and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo costs $1,300.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo to be very good for general use, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Dell XPS 13, with a strong CPU and RAM configuration, offers a balance between performance and portability, while its high-quality screen and long battery life make it ideal for everyday tasks. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, with similar or better performance specs, provides a slightly enhanced experience for general use, but it may trade off some portability and battery life for its increased focus on performance and screen excellence.
Content Creation
7.7/10
8.0/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 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 Dell XPS 13 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
7.5/10
7.7/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo and Dell XPS 13 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell XPS 13 and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo compare to other laptops
"In the past, the XPS 13 was a hands-down contender for the best laptop on the market. But the Apple-silicon MacBook has since barrelled onto the scene, and it wipes the floor with most of the ultraportable Windows laptops that cross my desk on a daily basis. This XPS is no exception. Compared to the M2 MacBook Air, battery life is worse."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 13 or the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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
131,895
Recommendations made
28,578
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.