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Updated January 12, 2024·
Given your interest in cost, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is a significantly less expensive option than the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, making it a budget-friendly choice. However, for more demanding tasks like 3D work, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, with a more powerful processor and dedicated graphics, will perform better, but it comes at a higher price. The MSI laptop also has a larger screen with a higher resolution, which can be beneficial for detailed work, yet this may make it less portable than the compact Microsoft laptop. On the other hand, if your use is more general and you value portability and battery life, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is lightweight and may better meet your needs for everyday tasks. 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
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good overall display quality
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.0
7.8
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
401.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use, though the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is somewhat better.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a lightweight and compact design that contributes to its excellent portability and good battery life, making it a solid choice for on-the-go usage, but it has less RAM and a less powerful CPU than the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, which may affect performance during intensive tasks. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio offers a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and higher screen resolution, delivering better performance and sharper visuals for demanding applications, but it is heavier with a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for long periods of mobility.
Gaming and AI
6.0
7.8
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is less suitable for gaming and 3D applications primarily because it uses integrated graphics, which are less powerful than the dedicated Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU in the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, and it has a lower screen refresh rate that is not optimal for fast-paced visuals. In contrast, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio has a higher refresh rate and a high-performance dedicated GPU, which are crucial for delivering smooth and detailed gaming and 3D experiences.
Engineering and Design
6.5
8.5
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has less advanced CPU and GPU, and lower RAM, which limit its performance for engineering and design tasks compared to the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, which has a more powerful processor, better graphics card, and double the memory capacity. Additionally, the MSI model boasts superior screen quality with a higher resolution and refresh rate, enhancing the visual experience for detailed work, whereas the Surface Laptop Go 2 offers greater portability and a quieter operation due to its lighter weight and better fan noise management.
Content Creation
7.1
7.9
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for content creation, though the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
6.9
7.6
12.4in
SIZE
14.0in
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
401.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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.
When selecting a laptop for general use, both the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio offer screens with sufficient resolution and brightness, making them clear and vibrant for everyday tasks. For engineering and design, however, while both laptops have high-quality screens, they may not fully cover the professional color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, which are crucial for color accuracy in detailed work. Gamers and professionals working with 3D graphics might find both lacking due to modest refresh rates that can't deliver the smooth visuals typically required for fast-paced games and high-end 3D simulations.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has 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.
Portability
Excellent
Good
12.4in
SIZE
14.0in
2.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$774
$1,520
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a price of $774 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio costs $1,520.
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Key similarities
Software Development
7.0
7.4
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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.
Build Quality
7.8
7.6
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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 Stealth 14 Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 | MSI Stealth 14 Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$774 | $1,520 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | 12.4'' x 9.7'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.48 lbs | 3.75 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 10.95" | 12.4" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.12" | 9.69" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 72 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 12.4" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1536 x 1024 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 401 nits | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
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 Stealth 14 Studio
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Francisco Lahoz | June 2023
"You'll find a versatility in the MSI Stealth 14 Studio that isn’t matched by many content-creator laptops we've tested of late. The small frame allows you to (potentially) work from anywhere with an outlet and, if noise isn’t a concern, run your most demanding of programs, thanks to some powerful hardware inside. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is an attractive and powerful option if you want a portable laptop to be the center of your content work setup."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 or the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
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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