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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 offers a strong combination of portability, premium business features, and high color accuracy which is beneficial for professional creative work. It has great keyboard quality, is well-built, and offers satisfactory general performance. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 14 also has portability but edges out slightly on better screen size for multimedia enjoyment, though not as color accurate as the ThinkPad. It generally has lower build quality and keyboard quality compared to the ThinkPad. If you prioritize business-related features and screen color fidelity, go for the ThinkPad Z13, while for a larger screen and slightly lighter overall package the Prestige 14 could be better. Both are similarly priced, offering a good balance for general use and some light 3D or engineering applications but are not ideal for intensive gaming. 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 ThinkPad Z13
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 14
- The MSI Prestige 14 has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13.
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.0
6.9
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
379.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 14 for software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and MSI Prestige 14 offer sufficient resolution, panel quality, and brightness, ensuring clear and vibrant display for everyday tasks and media consumption. Engineering and design professionals benefit from their accurate color reproduction, covering a wide range of color gamuts which is crucial for detail-oriented work. However, for immersive gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates may lead to less fluid movement and responsiveness, which is less ideal for those specific demands.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has 10 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.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.8
7.5
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
379.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.8/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and MSI Prestige 14 are both good for general use.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is well-suited for general use as it offers a high-quality IPS display with a touch screen for interactive tasks, a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU with ample RAM for smooth multitasking, and a premium build that includes a backlit keyboard and a battery that supports a full workday. Conversely, the MSI Prestige 14, while slightly less portable with a marginally heavier build, also provides a competent Intel CPU and RAM for general tasks, has a high-quality IPS screen, albeit not touch-enabled, and a longer battery life, alongside a backlit keyboard and solid build quality, making it a viable option for everyday use that demands consistent performance and comfort.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.2
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and MSI Prestige 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has a competent integrated AMD Radeon GPU and a standard refresh rate which is sufficient for casual gaming and 3D tasks, and the MSI Prestige 14 comes with Intel's integrated Iris Xe graphics which also supports moderate game and 3D performance, yet both have screens with standard refresh rates limiting the smoothness in high-paced games.
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.1
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and MSI Prestige 14 are both good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, featuring an AMD Ryzen processor and Radeon GPU, is well-suited for engineering and design tasks with its high-resolution, bright, and color-accurate screen; whereas the MSI Prestige 14, with its Intel processor and Iris Xe graphics, offers solid performance for similar tasks, though its display lacks the brightness and color range of the Z13 but benefits from its slightly larger screen size. Both laptops feature ample RAM, high-quality keyboards, and are portable, with the ThinkPad being slightly lighter and quieter, enhancing its appeal for mobile engineering and design work.
Content Creation
7.8
7.5
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and MSI Prestige 14 are both good for content creation.
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
7.7
7.3
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and MSI Prestige 14 are both good for software development.
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.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 to have excellent portability, while the MSI Prestige 14 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,000
$1,040
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has a price of $1,000 and the MSI Prestige 14 costs $1,040.
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How the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and the MSI Prestige 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 | MSI Prestige 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,040 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | April 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 12.6'' x 8.6'' x 0.63'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.78 lbs | 2.84 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.59" | 12.56" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 8.62" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 6850U | Intel i5-1240P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 8.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51.5 Wh | 53.8 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 379 nits | 313 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 9.1/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Brian Westover | September 2022
"In the premium ultraportable space, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 competes with the best of the best, and still manages to shine. The design is an impressive departure from the bland bare-metal laptop that's become so popular in recent years, and the AMD-powered system has performance that's just as impressive. It's a stark alternative to the Intel-based majority, and it stands up well enough to the impressive Apple M2 processor."
MSI Prestige 14
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Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Collin Probst | September 2022
"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 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 or the MSI Prestige 14
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.
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