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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is more budget-friendly and lightweight, making it suitable for everyday use and portability. Its smaller screen and battery capacity are tradeoffs for its affordability and compactness. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo offers a larger, higher-resolution screen, more storage and memory, which is better for intensive tasks like engineering, machine learning, or multimedia editing. It has a premium build and more powerful internals which contributes to its higher price and makes it less portable. Consider the MSI if performance and high-quality display are priorities, or the Surface Laptop Go 2 for cost-effectiveness and mobility. 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 AI Evo
- 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 battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.0
8.6
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
401.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
12.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a lower RAM and storage capacity, a smaller screen, and a shorter battery life compared to the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo, which contributes to it being fair for general use, whereas the MSI's higher RAM and storage, larger and higher quality screen, and longer battery life make it very good for general use.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.7
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has a more powerful Intel Arc 8-Cores GPU, which is superior for gaming and 3D applications, compared to the Intel i5-1135G7 Iris Xe GPU found in the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. Both laptops have the same screen refresh rate, but the MSI Prestige's better GPU is crucial for handling intensive graphical tasks more efficiently.
Engineering and Design
6.5
8.4
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo outperforms the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for engineering and design due to its superior main processor, higher RAM, and advanced GPU, which are critical for intensive tasks, along with a higher quality OLED screen that offers better resolution and color accuracy. While the Surface Laptop Go 2 is lighter and more portable with a small screen, the Prestige 16 AI Evo's larger, higher-quality display, and significantly more powerful hardware make it much better suited for demanding engineering and design applications.
Content Creation
7.1
8.6
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo 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
8.5
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo 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
8.4
12.4in
SIZE
16.0in
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
401.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo 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.
For general use, the Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a balance of resolution and brightness that makes everyday tasks pleasant, while the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo provides a sharper image and higher brightness, enhancing the viewing experience. With engineering and design in mind, the Prestige's superior color gamut coverage ensures more accurate color representation, which is crucial for professional photo editing and CAD work, over the adequate but less extensive color range of the Surface Laptop Go 2. Gamers and 3D designers would find both laptops lacking due to their modest refresh rates, though the higher resolution and better panel technology of the Prestige might offer slightly more clarity and detail.
Battery
8.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has 12 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
Excellent
Good
12.4in
SIZE
16.0in
2.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$565
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a price of $565 and the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
7.8
7.4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 | MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$565 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | December 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.48 lbs | 3.31 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 10.95" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.12" | 10.02" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
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 | 12 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 12.4" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1536 x 1024 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 401 nits | 362 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
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 AI Evo
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Mark Anthony Ramirez | December 2023
"The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is meant to be a business-focused laptop, but it ends up being the MacBook challenger PC laptop enthusiasts have longed for. Not only can it meet and, in many cases, surpass the M2-powered MacBooks, but it is also surpassing the baseline M3 MacBooks, which is a giant leap forward for Intel-powered laptops. This isn’t hyperbole; this is what the numbers show."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 or the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo
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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