If you prioritize a higher performing device for engineering or intensive 3D and machine learning tasks, the MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo, with better processing power, more storage, and higher RAM, should be your choice. However, it's heavier and has a shorter battery life compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which is more portable and budget-friendly but offers lower performance. Both devices have touchscreens, but the Summit's larger and higher resolution display might be more suited for detailed work. If casual use and portability are your main concerns, the Surface Laptop Go 2 will suffice, but for more demanding tasks, the Summit is better equipped. 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
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo
Good for engineering and design
Good overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.0/10
7.8/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
401.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
468.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use, though the MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo is somewhat better.
The MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo is rated higher for general use compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 because it comes with more RAM for multitasking, a more powerful CPU for better overall performance, a larger and higher resolution screen which results in better screen quality, and more storage out of the box. While both have high-quality IPS displays, the Summit E14 Flip Evo also offers a longer battery life, which contributes to its usability in different settings without the need for frequent charging, though it is heavier and less portable than the lightweight and more compact Surface Laptop Go 2.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
6.5/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo is somewhat better.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo have integrated graphics rather than dedicated gaming GPUs and standard screen refresh rates, which limits their gaming and 3D capabilities. However, the Summit E14 Flip Evo offers a more powerful CPU and superior screen quality, which might provide a somewhat better experience within the fair range for gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.5/10
7.7/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is fair for engineering and design due to its less powerful i5 processor, average RAM, and fair screen quality with lower color coverage and resolution, which are critical for design tasks. In contrast, the MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo offers a more powerful i7 processor, double the RAM, and superior screen quality with higher resolution and color coverage, enhancing performance for engineering software and detailed design work.
Content Creation
7.1/10
7.8/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for content creation, though the MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo 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.
Software Development
7.0/10
7.7/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for software development, though the MSI Summit E14 Flip 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
6.9/10
7.7/10
12.4in
SIZE
14.0in
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
401.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
468.0 nits
The MSI Summit E14 Flip 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a display that provides crisp images and comfortable viewing, but the MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo steps up with an even sharper and brighter screen that enhances everyday activities like browsing and watching videos. When it comes to engineering and design tasks that require color accuracy, both laptops have screens with the capabilities to display a wide range of colors, however, the Summit's superior coverage of professional color spaces makes it more suited for detailed color work. Gamers and those working with 3D applications, on the other hand, may find both of these laptops lacking because while their resolutions and panel types are adequate, they don't offer the high refresh rates necessary for the smoothest visual experience in fast-paced games or 3D rendering.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo has 7 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
Very Good
12.4in
SIZE
14.0in
2.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$774
$1,599
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a price of $774 and the MSI Summit E14 Flip Evo costs $1,599.
"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."
"The MSI Summit E14 Flip convertible review: a legit alternative to HP, Dell or Lenovo. Instead of taking the 13-inch Summit E13 Flip and simply enlarging it for a 14-inch form factor, the Summit E14 Flip is the full chassis redesign we've been looking for. It loses some of the golden trims of its smaller sibling, but the gains in rigidity and build quality are arguably worth it especially from a professional standpoint where reliability takes priority. It doesn't quite feel as strong as the HP Spectre just yet, but it's certainly getting close."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 or the MSI Summit E14 Flip 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.
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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