If your priority is high performance for activities like gaming or engineering software, and you don't mind investing more, the Framework Laptop 16 may suit you with its larger screen and likely more powerful internals. However, if you're seeking something more budget-friendly with good performance for general use and prefer a more compact and portable machine, the MSI Prestige 14 could be a better fit, keeping in mind that it may have less potential for upgrades or repairs than the Framework, which is designed with modularity in mind. 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 14
Very good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.2/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and MSI Prestige 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its powerful GPU and high screen refresh rate, excels in rendering graphics smoothly, making it suitable for gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Prestige 14, though not as robust in GPU performance or screen refresh rate, still delivers respectable performance due to its capable CPU and high-quality screen.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Prestige 14 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers a high-resolution screen and modular components that can be customized or upgraded, including the CPU, RAM, and GPU, catering to engineering and design needs where performance and screen quality are crucial; however, the MSI Prestige 14, being lighter and more compact, provides good portability without significantly compromising on performance and has a solid build with a comfortable keyboard, making it suitable for on-the-go engineering and design tasks. Both laptops offer quality speakers and manage operating noise well, maintaining a balance between audio experience and a quiet working environment.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
8.0/10
7.3/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
8.4/10
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Framework Laptop 16 has a high-resolution display that makes it great for detail-oriented tasks like engineering or general use, and it boasts color accuracy that benefits professional design work. However, its refresh rate is lower, which doesn't suit the fast-paced visual performance desired in gaming and 3D applications. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 14 provides a balanced good-quality display for everyday and professional tasks, yet it similarly lacks the high refresh rate needed for optimal gaming and 3D experiences.
Portability
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 14 has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0/10
7.4/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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.
Cost
$1,699
$1,040
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the MSI Prestige 14 costs $1,040.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the MSI Prestige 14 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers higher performance with a better CPU and more RAM, making it suitable for demanding applications and multitasking, along with a superior screen quality that enhances viewing experiences, albeit with a tradeoff in portability and possibly shorter battery life. The MSI Prestige 14, while slightly less powerful, provides adequate performance for general tasks, and its smaller size and lighter weight make it a more travel-friendly option, usually with longer battery life for on-the-go use.
Battery
9.0 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the MSI Prestige 14 compare to other laptops
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
"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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the MSI Prestige 14
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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
98,295
Recommendations made
21,298
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.