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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is often less expensive and more portable with a smaller screen size, making it well-suited for general use and travel. It's equipped with an adequate processor and integrated graphics for everyday tasks, plus it offers a touchscreen. Meanwhile, the MSI Prestige 15, while more expensive, offers greater performance due to its more powerful processor, dedicated graphics card, and double the memory, which makes it better for 3D work, machine learning, and engineering tasks. It also has a larger screen and better color accuracy for media work, though it's less portable due to its size and weight. 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
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 15
- Good for engineering and design
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.8
6.8
12.4in
SIZE
15.6in
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
337.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
298.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and the MSI Prestige 15 have similar screen quality.
When considering general use, both the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and MSI Prestige 15 deliver sharp images and vivid colors due to their panel types and satisfactory resolution and brightness, making them suitable for everyday tasks like web browsing and video streaming. For engineering and design, although both laptops provide a good range of colors encompassing DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, they may not be the top choice for professionals who require the utmost precision and color accuracy. As for 3D and gaming, their lack of high refresh rates means that while they will display graphics adequately, they are not optimized for the smooth, responsive visuals that are crucial for fast-paced gaming or high-end 3D rendering.
Portability
Excellent
Good
12.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent portability, while the MSI Prestige 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$788
$1,044
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a price of $788 and the MSI Prestige 15 costs $1,044.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.2
7.5
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
337.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
298.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Prestige 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers a more portable form factor and better heat management than the MSI Prestige 15, but falls short with lower RAM and CPU capabilities, which may affect its performance during demanding tasks. The MSI Prestige 15, on the other hand, has a larger and more vibrant screen, double the RAM, and a more powerful processor, plus dedicated graphics, making it well-suited for intensive applications, yet it's heavier with a slight compromise on portability and heat dissipation.
Gaming and AI
6.1
6.3
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
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 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 uses an integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics unit which is less suited for demanding gaming and 3D applications compared to the MSI Prestige 15, which sports a dedicated Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q offering better performance for such tasks. Both laptops have standard 60Hz screen refresh rates, but the Prestige 15 has superior screen quality with higher resolution and wider color coverage, enhancing the gaming and 3D experience.
Engineering and Design
6.8
7.2
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 15 to be good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The MSI Prestige 15 is better suited for engineering and design because it has a more powerful CPU and GPU, higher RAM, and a larger and better-quality screen, which are critical for such tasks. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a less powerful CPU and integrated graphics, less RAM, and a smaller, lower resolution screen, despite being more portable and having a quieter operating noise.
Content Creation
7.3
7.5
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for content creation.
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
7.2
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 15 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 3 and MSI Prestige 15 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 3 and the MSI Prestige 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 | MSI Prestige 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$788 | $1,044 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2023 | January 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | 14.1'' x 9.2'' x 0.74'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.49 lbs | 3.73 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 10.95" | 14.05" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.12" | 9.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1235U | Intel i5-1240P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 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" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1536 x 1024 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 337 nits | 298 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 | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
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 3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Joe Osborne | October 2023
"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."
MSI Prestige 15
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Mario Petzold | December 2022
"The MSI Prestige 15 offers a dazzling 4K image quality, and solid performance. The MSI Prestige 15 appears to consistently implement the guiding principle of throttling the solid and efficient hardware to such an extent that content creation succeeds perfectly. Performance-hungry tasks, on the other hand, are slowed down a little by the reduced power consumption. Conversely, this means that the case remains relatively cool and the dual fan subdued. The battery life also benefits somewhat. So the losses aren't really dramatic because full performance is still available for short bursts."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 or the MSI Prestige 15
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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About the laptop team
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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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