The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is less expensive and offers good performance for gaming with dedicated graphics and a higher refresh rate display, making it well-suited for gaming. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 16 is more expensive but comes with a better processor, more RAM, and a higher resolution display with greater color accuracy, which could be advantageous for professional creative work and engineering applications. The MSI also has a longer battery life and is lighter, thus it's more portable, but lacks dedicated gaming graphics. Therefore, if gaming or budget is your priority, consider the Lenovo; for professional work and portability, pick the MSI Prestige 16. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 16
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 speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.4/10
8.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
329.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is good.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Engineering and Design
7.2/10
8.2/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is good.
The MSI Prestige 16 is considered very good for engineering and design partly because it has a high-resolution screen and more RAM for complex tasks, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a lower screen resolution and less RAM, making it just good for such uses. The Prestige also features a more powerful CPU and integrated graphics suited for demanding applications, while the IdeaPad, with a competent CPU and dedicated GPU, is more tailored toward gaming with decent capabilities for engineering tasks.
Content Creation
7.4/10
8.3/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 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
7.3/10
8.1/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 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
7.2/10
8.3/10
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
329.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the MSI Prestige 16 has an edge over the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 with its higher resolution and brighter display, making text sharper and content more vibrant. Engineering and design tasks benefit from the MSI's broader color gamut coverage, offering more precise color representation which is vital for professional creative work. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D applications due to their lower refresh rates, which can lead to less fluid motion and reduced responsiveness in fast-paced visual environments.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
5.1 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 both have good portability, though the MSI Prestige 16 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$549
$1,611
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a price of $549 and the MSI Prestige 16 costs $1,611.
The MSI Prestige 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The MSI Prestige 16's superior gaming and 3D capabilities compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are due to its more advanced GPU and higher screen refresh rate, which can deliver smoother visuals and better performance in graphics-intensive tasks. While the MSI Prestige also has a more powerful CPU and superior screen quality, these factors contribute to its overall improved gaming and 3D experience but are of secondary importance to the GPU and refresh rate.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 16 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
7.2/10
7.4/10
The MSI Prestige 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 and the MSI Prestige 16 compare to other laptops
"The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of the most powerful RTX 3050 Ti laptops. If you disregard the mediocre quality of the case in terms of the material and workmanship, Lenovo has created a successful budget gaming laptop with the IdeaPad Gaming. Thanks to high TDPs and constant performance development, the Core i5-12500H and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti are able to show their full power, while in contrast, the (mostly slower) competitors deliver a better battery life. However, hardly any of the alternative laptops are able to reach the image quality of the Gaming 3. Most of the competitors are left behind in terms of the color space and brightness."
"The MSI Prestige 16 Evo: 2023's best value 16” thin & light laptop with i7-13700H. One of the top choices for professionals and students seeking a high-performance, portable computing solution in 2023. While the MSI Prestige 16 Evo A13M may not boast the most striking design compared to some other 16" options, its relatively "safe" styling lends itself well to professional and educational environments. Significantly, it doesn't compromise on essential features like port selection or cooling performance, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient thermal management. The 16 Evo A13M offers an excellent combination of performance, portability, and functionality, making it a compelling choice for professionals and students alike."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 or the MSI Prestige 16
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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