When deciding between the Dell XPS 15 and the MSI Prestige 15, consider that the Dell XPS 15 has a better build quality, stronger performance in engineering tasks, and a higher quality keyboard. However, it's heavier and its battery lasts a bit shorter under typical use. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 15 is lighter and thus more portable, and it still offers good performance for general use and decent build quality. Both laptops are designed for general use and engineering but are not ideal for intensive gaming. Your choice should depend on whether you prioritize portability and longer battery life or better performance in specific tasks and a sturdier build. 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 15
The MSI Prestige 15 has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 15.
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
298.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the MSI Prestige 15 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 offers a more powerful CPU and a slightly better screen quality which enhances its performance for general use, while its solid battery life and manageable weight support good portability. Conversely, the MSI Prestige 15, although lighter, comes with a less powerful CPU and lower screen brightness, which may affect performance and visibility but offers decent battery life and portability for routine tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.2/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Prestige 15 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 features a powerful Intel i7 processor and a capable Intel Arc GPU, combined with a high-resolution IPS display, making it suitable for intensive engineering tasks and design work that demands robust computational capabilities and screen clarity. Meanwhile, the MSI Prestige 15, with its slightly less powerful i5 processor and Nvidia GPU, still offers solid performance for engineering, and its lighter frame enhances portability, although with a lower resolution screen that might not be as suitable for precision design tasks.
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 15 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
7.2/10
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 15 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
6.8/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
298.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize a sharp, vibrant display for everyday tasks like browsing the web or watching movies, both the Dell XPS 15 and MSI Prestige 15 offer high-resolution screens with excellent brightness and color accuracy, ensuring visuals look clear and lively. For professionals in engineering and design, the color fidelity is crucial, and both laptops provide wide color gamuts, making them suitable for detailed color work and precise designs. However, gamers and 3D artists may find the screen refresh rates on these models limiting, as higher rates are necessary for fluid motion and fast-paced visuals, which these laptops do not prioritize.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 15 has 7.5 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.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.4/10
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the MSI Prestige 15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
The Dell XPS 15 and MSI Prestige 15 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 15 offers better gaming and 3D performance with its superior GPU, an Intel Arc A370M, and a more powerful CPU, an Intel i7, contributing to its good reputation in these areas. Both laptops have similar screen refresh rates and quality, which are less influential in the overall performance difference for these activities.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Prestige 15 and Dell XPS 15 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,000
$1,044
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the MSI Prestige 15 costs $1,044.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell XPS 15 and the MSI Prestige 15 compare to other laptops
"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 15 offers a dazzling 4K image quality, and solid performance. The MSI Prestige 15 appears to consistently implement the guiding principle of throttling the solid and efficient hardware to such an extent that content creation succeeds perfectly. Performance-hungry tasks, on the other hand, are slowed down a little by the reduced power consumption. Conversely, this means that the case remains relatively cool and the dual fan subdued. The battery life also benefits somewhat. So the losses aren't really dramatic because full performance is still available for short bursts."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the MSI Prestige 15
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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