The Gateway 11.6" is significantly less expensive, very portable, and decent for general tasks like web browsing, but its performance, especially for engineering, 3D rendering, or machine learning, is limited due to its basic processor and graphics. With a smaller screen and lower resolution, it's not the best for multimedia or productivity. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 15 costs more but offers better performance for intensive engineering tasks, creative work, or casual gaming thanks to a stronger processor and dedicated graphics card. It also has a larger, higher-resolution screen that's better for multitasking and enjoying media but makes it less portable than the Gateway. 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 Gateway 11.6"
Excellent portability
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 15
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
7.5/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
298.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Prestige 15 is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has a weaker CPU, less RAM, and a lower resolution screen, making it less suitable for general use compared to the MSI Prestige 15, which boasts a stronger CPU, more RAM, and a better-quality screen. Moreover, while the Gateway is lighter and boasts excellent portability, its poor keyboard quality and weaker build compared to the MSI Prestige 15 diminish its appeal for frequent use.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
6.3/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Prestige 15 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has a weaker Intel Celeron N4020 CPU and Intel UHD Graphics 600, which aren't suitable for gaming and 3D tasks, while the MSI Prestige 15 is equipped with a stronger Intel i5-1240P CPU and Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU, making it more capable of handling gaming and 3D applications. Both laptops have a 60Hz screen refresh rate, but the MSI's superior GPU plays a key role in its fair gaming and 3D performance, as opposed to the Gateway's poor performance in these areas.
Engineering and Design
5.4/10
7.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 15 is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has a weaker CPU, less RAM, and an inferior GPU compared to the MSI Prestige 15, making it less suitable for demanding engineering tasks which require higher performance and better screen quality. Additionally, while the Gateway is more portable due to its smaller size and lower weight, the MSI Prestige offers a superior keyboard, which is important for long coding sessions, and quieter operating noise that enhances the working environment.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 15 is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
7.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 15 is good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7/10
6.8/10
11.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
298.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 15 has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Gateway 11.6" likely has a low-resolution display that appears dull, making it less suitable for any task where clarity and space are valuable, such as browsing or document editing. The MSI Prestige 15 offers a higher resolution and better brightness, providing a crisper and more vibrant image for detailed engineering and design work due to better color reproduction, yet both lack the high refresh rates needed for smooth visuals in fast-paced 3D gaming.
Portability
Excellent
Good
11.6in
SIZE
15.6in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Gateway 11.6" has excellent portability, while the MSI Prestige 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.4/10
The MSI Prestige 15 has good build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$89
$1,044
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Gateway 11.6" has a price of $89 and the MSI Prestige 15 costs $1,044.
"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 Gateway 11.6" or the MSI Prestige 15
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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