The Dell XPS 15 is priced higher and offers better overall performance, which is suitable for engineering, 3D, and machine learning tasks, thanks to its superior processor and dedicated graphics. It also has a larger screen, but this impacts its portability relative to the MSI Prestige 14. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 14 is less expensive, very portable due to its lower weight and smaller size, and its integrated graphics suffice for general use, though not as well for intensive processing tasks. Both have comparable battery life, keyboards, and build quality; however, heavy gaming is not optimal on either machine. 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 15
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good battery life
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 14
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.2/10
7.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.8/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the MSI Prestige 14 is good.
The Dell XPS 15, with its higher-performing CPU, superior screen quality, and larger battery life, stands out as very good for general use, offering robust performance and visual experience, though it's less portable due to its weight and size. Conversely, the MSI Prestige 14 provides good general use performance with decent screen quality and a lighter, more compact build for better portability, albeit with lower battery life and performance due to its less powerful CPU.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.2/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell XPS 15 and MSI Prestige 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 15 is better suited for gaming and 3D applications due to its more capable Intel Arc A370M graphics processing unit (GPU), which generally offers better performance than the integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU found in the MSI Prestige 14. Additionally, while both laptops have a similar screen refresh rate, the stronger GPU in the Dell will ensure smoother gameplay and superior handling of 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.1/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Prestige 14 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 is equipped with a higher-end CPU and a discrete GPU, making it well-suited for demanding tasks in engineering and design, while also boasting a screen that covers more of the DCI-P3 color space, indicative of superior screen quality. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 14, although slightly less powerful in terms of CPU and GPU, offers greater portability and reduced weight, which might appeal to users who prioritize ease of transport alongside competent performance for engineering and design applications.
Content Creation
8.3/10
7.5/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Prestige 14 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
8.1/10
7.3/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the MSI Prestige 14 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
7.4/10
6.9/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell XPS 15 and MSI Prestige 14 offer displays with high resolution and brightness, which contribute to a crisp and vibrant viewing experience suitable for general use and detailed work like engineering and design. They cover a wide range of colors, meeting professional standards for color-sensitive tasks, which is important for accurately rendering designs. However, their screens lack the high refresh rates preferred for 3D and gaming, which can lead to less fluid motion and responsiveness in those scenarios.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 14 has 8.5 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
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 14 has very good portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.4/10
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the MSI Prestige 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
"The MSI Prestige 14” is excellent for productivity and business use cases, but it is not ideal for creators or visual content editors. The Prestige was able to power through days of email, spreadsheets, and text documents without breaking a sweat and was a joy to use. The additional ports were a breath of fresh air, as most laptops seem to be moving towards just Thunderbolt ports. The security options made signing in effortless, with two quick, more secure, and faster options than even the most complex alphanumeric passcode."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the MSI Prestige 14
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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