The Dell XPS 13 offers a more portable and less expensive option with good overall performance for general use, making it suitable for everyday tasks and some light creative work. On the other hand, the MSI Summit E16 Flip, whilst being pricier and heavier, provides much stronger performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering due to its more powerful processor and dedicated graphics card. The larger, higher-resolution touchscreen of the MSI also stands out for creative tasks and multitasking, but this comes at the cost of shorter battery life compared to the Dell XPS 13. 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 Summit E16 Flip
Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Summit E16 Flip and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Summit E16 Flip is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 13 has an integrated GPU and a standard 60Hz screen refresh rate, which makes it only fair for gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip is equipped with a dedicated Nvidia RTX GPU and a higher 165Hz refresh rate, enhancing its performance for these tasks. Although both have quality IPS displays and competent CPUs, the superior GPU and screen refresh rate of the MSI Summit contribute significantly to its better suitability for gaming and 3D uses.
Engineering and Design
7.2/10
7.7/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Summit E16 Flip and Dell XPS 13 are both good for engineering and design, though the MSI Summit E16 Flip is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 13 is appreciated for engineering and design due to its capable CPU (Intel i7-1250U) and integrated graphics, suited for less GPU-intensive tasks, along with a high-quality screen that offers good color coverage and brightness; it also benefits from an excellent portability score. On the other hand, the MSI Summit E16 Flip, with its more powerful CPU (Intel i7-1260P), dedicated GPU (Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti), and superior screen resolution and refresh rate, provides stronger performance for demanding engineering applications and design work, though it is less portable and has a somewhat lower battery life.
Screen Quality
7.2/10
8.0/10
13.4in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
294.0 nits
The MSI Summit E16 Flip has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell XPS 13 provides a balance in display quality suitable for everyday tasks and engineering with its high resolution and brightness ensuring crisp and clear visuals but falls short for gaming due to its standard refresh rate. The MSI Summit E16 Flip, on the other hand, excels in both general use and engineering design with an excellent display that offers wide color gamut coverage for more accurate colors but still doesn't cater to gaming needs because of a similarly lower refresh rate. Hence, both are not ideal for gaming or 3D applications where higher refresh rates are crucial for smooth motion and fast-paced graphics.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Summit E16 Flip 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
Good
13.4in
SIZE
16.0in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip has 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 Summit E16 Flip has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$850
$1,550
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $850 and the MSI Summit E16 Flip costs $1,550.
The MSI Summit E16 Flip and Dell XPS 13 are both good for general use.
The Dell XPS 13, with its lightweight design and solid battery life, offers portability and endurance for general use alongside a good screen and sufficient RAM and CPU for everyday tasks, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip provides a larger, higher-resolution touchscreen, more storage, and a stronger CPU and dedicated GPU, which are beneficial for multitasking and media consumption but at the cost of reduced portability and battery life.
Content Creation
7.7/10
7.9/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Summit E16 Flip and Dell XPS 13 are both 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
7.5/10
7.6/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Summit E16 Flip 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.
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How the Dell XPS 13 and the MSI Summit E16 Flip 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."
"The MSI Summit E16 Flip is a 2-in-1 laptop with pen, 16:10 display, and RTX 3050 Ti. The Summit E16 Flip is a 2-in-1 laptop from the business segment that primarily targets creative users. MSI combines a 16-inch touchscreen in the 16:10 format with a powerful midrange GPU. While the 2-in-1 laptop from MSI isn't meant for everybody, it should definitely attract some followers. The touchscreen display (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) covers the DCI-P3 color space. This is accompanied by stable viewing angles, a good color reproduction, short response times, and a good contrast level."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 13 or the MSI Summit E16 Flip
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.
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