If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option that's lightweight and suitable for everyday tasks like browsing the web, working with documents, and streaming media, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is a solid choice. On the other hand, if you need a laptop with more power for activities like photo and video editing, 3D modeling, or running multiple demanding applications simultaneously, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, while pricier, offers higher performance capabilities. The MSI also typically has a longer battery life, which is important if you plan on being mobile for extended periods without access to a power outlet. 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 3
Excellent portability
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.2/10
8.0/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
337.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers a balance of affordability and compact design, making it suitable for day-to-day tasks, but its lower-tier CPU and RAM might limit performance for intensive applications compared to the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, which boasts superior CPU and RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking and better suitability for more demanding software. Both laptops have good screen quality and are highly portable, but the MSI has the edge in battery life, which is ideal for users who need to work on the go without frequent charging.
Gaming and AI
6.1/10
6.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, while offering a sleek design and portability, doesn't have a dedicated GPU or a high refresh rate screen, which limits its gaming and 3D capabilities; in contrast, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, although somewhat better with a superior CPU and screen quality, still lacks a robust GPU and high-refresh-rate display needed for optimal gaming and 3D performance.
Engineering and Design
6.8/10
8.0/10
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, with less powerful CPU and GPU, may struggle with demanding engineering software, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, equipped with higher-end CPU and GPU, provides smoother performance for complex tasks. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is lighter and quieter, suitable for on-the-go usage, but the Prestige, with its superior screen and RAM, better supports intensive design work requiring detailed visuals and multitasking.
Content Creation
7.3/10
8.1/10
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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
7.1/10
7.9/10
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
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 Prestige 13 AI Evo and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for software development, though the MSI Prestige 13 AI 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
6.8/10
8.2/10
12.4in
SIZE
13.0in
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
337.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo both have high resolution and bright displays that are crisp and clear for general tasks like browsing and video streaming. For engineering and design, their screens reproduce colors well, covering a wide range of the color spectrum, which is crucial for accurately previewing work. However, both laptops have lower refresh rates, making them less suitable for gaming and 3D modeling, where smoother visuals provided by higher refresh rates are essential for an optimal experience.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
12.4in
SIZE
13.0in
2.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent portability, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$789
$1,280
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a price of $789 and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo costs $1,280.
"When it comes to affordably priced laptops, the numbers after the dollar sign are crucially important—more so than in any other price category. By increasing the starting price of its Laptop Go line by $200 and not changing much else, Microsoft irrevocably altered the calculus surrounding the decision of whether to buy the Surface Laptop Go 3. Sure, it has a newer processor and longer battery life, but don’t think for a second you’re not paying dearly for that extra RAM and SSD capacity at that new price."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 or the MSI Prestige 13 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.
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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