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Updated January 12, 2024·
If you are looking for a laptop for general use with a balance of affordability, decent performance, and portability, the Dell XPS 13 is an excellent choice since it's less expensive compared to the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo. It offers good screen quality, reasonable battery life, and a compact form factor which makes it very portable. However, if your tasks are more demanding, like 3D work, machine learning, engineering, or gaming, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo, while more costly, provides significantly better performance with a more potent processor, enhanced graphics capabilities, a larger and higher-resolution OLED screen, and double the storage and memory. Its larger size and higher weight make it less portable than the Dell XPS 13 and it also has a longer battery life, which could be a significant advantage if you need to work on the go without frequent recharging. 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
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.7
8.6
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
442.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
12.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is very good for general use, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo surpasses the Dell XPS 13 in general use thanks to its higher RAM and better screen quality, while being less portable and having a slightly longer battery life. The Dell XPS 13, on the other hand, offers a balance with good CPU and sufficient RAM for general tasks, and is more portable, but has a shorter battery life and lower screen resolution.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.7
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo outperforms the Dell XPS 13 for gaming and 3D tasks primarily due to its Intel Arc 8-Cores GPU, which is more capable compared to the more modest integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU in the Dell XPS 13. While both have the same screen refresh rate, the MSI's GPU is better suited for demanding visual tasks, complemented by its higher-quality OLED screen, which enhances the overall gaming and 3D experience.
Engineering and Design
7.2
8.4
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo stands out for engineering and design use due to its superior main processor, double the amount of RAM, and a more capable GPU with hardware ray tracing, partnered with an OLED screen that excels in color accuracy and higher resolution.
Content Creation
7.7
8.6
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is 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
8.5
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is very good for software development, while the Dell XPS 13 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
7.2
8.4
13.4in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 16 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.
When considering general use, the Dell XPS 13 offers a nice balance with its appealing resolution and brightness, but it may not match the higher resolution and brightness levels found with the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo, which makes for a clearer and more vibrant display. For engineering and design applications where color accuracy is paramount, the MSI Prestige's screen, with its wider color gamuts, provides a greater range of precise colors than the XPS 13. Yet, for gaming and 3D tasks that demand fast-paced visuals, both laptops fall short due to their lower refresh rates, despite having decent resolutions and panel types.
Battery
10.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 has 10 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.
Portability
Excellent
Good
13.4in
SIZE
16.0in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Dell XPS 13 has very good 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.
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Key similarities
Cost
$1,399
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $1,399 and the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo costs $1,399.
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How the Dell XPS 13 and the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 13 | MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,399 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | December 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.59 lbs | 3.31 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.63" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 10.02" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1250U | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 12 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 442 nits | 362 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell XPS 13
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chen | April 2023
"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."
MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Mark Anthony Ramirez | December 2023
"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 Dell XPS 13 or the MSI Prestige 16 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.
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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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