If you're looking for a budget-friendly option for basic tasks like web browsing, using office applications, and streaming media, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 should suit your needs. However, if you require a laptop with higher performance for more demanding applications like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, and are willing to pay a premium, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is a better choice. Additionally, the MSI typically offers better portability with a lighter and thinner design, as well as a longer battery life which makes it more suitable for on-the-go use. Keep in mind that the higher cost also reflects its more premium build quality and advanced features. 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 Slim 3
Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.0/10
8.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
281.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is good.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 typically offers essential performance suitable for everyday tasks due to its modest CPU and RAM, but the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, with its superior CPU and larger RAM, handles demanding applications more smoothly, making it a better choice for intensive multitasking and professional work. While both laptops have portability and battery life that support mobile use, the Prestige 13's higher screen quality enhances the viewing experience dramatically, justifying a higher price for those prioritizing a crisp display and robust performance over the IdeaPad's affordability and adequacy for basic use.
Gaming and AI
5.9/10
6.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has a modest GPU and standard screen refresh rate, making it passable for casual gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo offers similar graphical capabilities but with a potentially superior CPU and better screen quality, providing a somewhat smoother experience for those same tasks. However, neither laptop is designed for high-end gaming or professional 3D work, so while they can handle these activities to a certain extent, they may struggle with more demanding software and games.
Engineering and Design
6.1/10
8.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has an adequate CPU, RAM, and screen quality for basic engineering tasks, but its integrated GPU may limit performance in more demanding design applications. The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, with a superior CPU, more RAM, a dedicated GPU, and a higher quality screen, offers enhanced capabilities for complex engineering software, but it comes at a higher cost and may have a louder operating noise due to more powerful hardware.
Content Creation
7.2/10
8.1/10
3.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 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
7.1/10
7.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 are both good for software development, though the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is somewhat better.
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
6.4/10
8.2/10
15.6in
SIZE
13.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
281.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, with its fair screen quality, offers a balance of resolution and brightness suitable for tasks like web browsing and document editing, but it may not provide the vibrant colors and sharpness desired for precision engineering work or an immersive gaming experience. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, with very good screen quality and a wider color gamut, provides crisp visuals and accurate colors that are essential for engineering and design professionals who need to see their work with great detail and fidelity. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D applications where high refresh rates are crucial for smooth motion, which could dampen the experience in fast-paced gaming scenarios or in creating fluid 3D animations.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo 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
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
13.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has very good portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.5/10
7.4/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$390
$1,280
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has a price of $390 and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo costs $1,280.
Olivier Martin, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | May 2023
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is decent for use as a workstation. Its Intel CPU and integrated graphics can only handle light productivity tasks, not demanding workloads like video editing or 3D graphics. You also can't do any color-critical work because the available displays have a narrow color gamut. It has a good port selection, but its USB-C lacks Thunderbolt 4 support. On the upside, it has a comfortable keyboard and doesn't get hot or loud under load."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 or the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
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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