If you prioritize upgrading and repairing your laptop easily, and you're willing to invest a bit more, the Framework Laptop might suit you better as it's designed with modularity in mind. On the other hand, if your focus is on getting a versatile device that doubles as a tablet and offers a stylus for creative work, the MSI Summit E16 Flip could be the right fit, possibly at a lower price. Keep in mind, however, that the Framework's ease of repair could save you money and hassle in the long run. Consider also how important display quality, weight, and overall build are for your daily needs, as these aspects can differ notably between these models. 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 build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Summit E16 Flip
The MSI Summit E16 Flip has no clear advantages over the Framework Laptop 16 (2023).
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.4/10
8.0/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
294.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the MSI Summit E16 Flip for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, a laptop with a high-resolution display and good brightness makes for a clearer and more vibrant viewing experience, which both the Framework Laptop 16 and MSI Summit E16 Flip offer. In engineering and design, accurate color reproduction is crucial for precise work; these laptops provide wide color gamuts, ensuring that designers see a broad range of colors. However, for gaming and 3D applications, a high refresh rate is essential for smooth motion and these laptops fall short in that aspect, affecting the overall gaming and 3D experience.
Build Quality
8.0/10
7.4/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
$1,699
$1,413
$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 Summit E16 Flip costs $1,413.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 typically offers a high-quality CPU and ample RAM, which ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks, complemented by a clear screen, but prioritizing portability and battery life may mean compromising slightly on those performance metrics. On the other hand, the MSI Summit E16 Flip, while also providing satisfactory general use performance, tends to focus on a balance between power and battery life, with its flip design adding versatility at the expense of being bulkier, which may affect carrying convenience.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.8/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and MSI Summit E16 Flip are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Framework Laptop 16 is equipped with a graphics card and a high refresh rate display that support a decent gaming and 3D experience, but the GPU isn't top-tier, which limits its performance for more demanding games and rendering tasks. The MSI Summit E16 Flip, while also having a capable GPU and quality screen, has similar limitations, providing a satisfactory experience that works for lighter gaming and 3D applications but may not handle intensive scenarios as smoothly.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a quality GPU, making it suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks, plus it features exceptional screen quality aiding in precision work. While the MSI Summit E16 Flip has similar high-performance internals and a quality screen, it trades off a bit of portability and has slightly lower keyboard and speaker quality, but its ability to flip into tablet mode may benefit designers looking for versatility.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.9/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for content creation, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip 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
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip 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.
Battery
9.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Summit E16 Flip and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the MSI Summit E16 Flip 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 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the MSI Summit E16 Flip
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.
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