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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you need a laptop with higher performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering, the MSI Prestige 16 is superior. However, it's heavier and less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. The Surface Laptop Go 2 is lighter, more portable, and offers better battery life, which makes it a better choice for general use and on-the-go productivity, but at the cost of lower performance for intensive tasks. The MSI Prestige 16 also has a larger screen and higher resolution, which might be beneficial for detail-oriented work, while the Surface has a smaller, touch-enabled screen that is good for general use and portability. Additionally, the MSI comes with more storage and memory, which adds to its performance advantage but also contributes to a higher price. 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- Excellent portability
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
Key differences
General Use
7.0
8.4
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
401.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good.
The MSI Prestige 16 outperforms the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 in general use due to its more powerful processor, significantly more RAM, larger and higher-resolution screen, and superior storage capacity, but it is less portable and weighs more. While the Surface Laptop Go 2 is highly portable with a compact design and long battery life, its lower RAM, smaller screen, and less powerful processor reflect its fair performance for general use compared to the Prestige 16's very good rating.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.7
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Prestige 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Prestige 16 is somewhat better.
The MSI Prestige 16 outperforms the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 in gaming and 3D due to its more powerful CPU and GPU, paired with a higher screen refresh rate that delivers smoother visuals. While the Surface Laptop Go 2 offers portability with its lighter build, the Prestige 16's higher screen quality and ability to take advantage of more advanced graphic features give it the edge for more demanding tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.5
8.2
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.6/10
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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The MSI Prestige 16 is more suited for engineering and design due to its significantly more powerful processor, larger memory capacity, and higher resolution screen, which enhance performance and detail in complex tasks, whereas the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a less powerful processor, less memory, and a lower resolution screen that may limit performance with demanding software used in these fields. However, the Surface Laptop Go 2 has a smaller, lighter design and longer battery life, making it more portable and suitable for general use where high performance isn't critical.
Content Creation
7.1
8.3
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1536 x 1024
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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
7.0
8.1
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
6.9
8.3
12.4in
SIZE
16.0in
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
401.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2's screen offers a balance suitable for everyday tasks and precision work like engineering, thanks to respectable resolution and brightness, but it falls short for gaming due to its lower refresh rate. The MSI Prestige 16, on the other hand, delivers sharp visuals and wide color coverage which is essential for engineering and design professionals, yet its refresh rate isn't sufficient for the smooth visuals expected in gaming and 3D applications. While both models cater well to general and professional work, neither is optimized for the high refresh rate demands of gaming and 3D rendering.
Portability
Excellent
Good
12.4in
SIZE
16.0in
2.4 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the MSI Prestige 16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$774
$1,611
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a price of $774 and the MSI Prestige 16 costs $1,611.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
7.8
7.4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and MSI Prestige 16 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and the MSI Prestige 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 | MSI Prestige 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$774 | $1,611 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | January 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.48 lbs | 4.2 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 10.95" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.12" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 82 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 12.4" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1536 x 1024 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 401 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | August 2022
"The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review is a compact companion with old hardware. The Surface Laptop Go 2 shows some weaknesses. Microsoft didn't really develop the second generation of the Surface Laptop Go 2 any further but has only equipped it with a slightly more powerful Core i5 processor. However, the performance still remains at a fairly low level overall, but for many users, it definitely should still be sufficient for everyday tasks."
MSI Prestige 16
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Dig into reviews and images
Make Use Of
Paul Antill | June 2023
"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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 or the MSI Prestige 16
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
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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