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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 13, 2024·
If you prioritize a flexible design for creative tasks, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers versatility with its unique hinge for drawing and presenting; however, if you prefer a lighter, more portable option with longer battery life for on-the-go use without sacrificing performance for everyday tasks and some professional applications, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo might be more suitable. The Microsoft option may handle heavier workloads better, but it will be heavier and may have a shorter battery life compared to the MSI, making the latter a better choice if mobility is key for you. 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 Studio
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
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 portability
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.0
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers a balance of performance with a quality CPU and RAM, along with a high-resolution screen, but its heavier design might limit portability compared to the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, which boasts similar powerful internals and a clear, vibrant display in a lighter frame, making it easier to carry around. Both laptops provide adequate battery life for daily tasks, but the Prestige's advantage in weight and portability may appeal more to those who often work on the go.
Engineering and Design
7.3
8.0
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers strong CPU and GPU capabilities, ample RAM, and high screen quality, making it well-suited for demanding engineering tasks and creative design work. Meanwhile, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, while offering similar CPU and RAM performance in a more portable form, may not match the Surface in terms of GPU strength or screen size, which are crucial for intensive graphics work. Both laptops have quality keyboards and speakers, but prioritizing screen real estate and graphics power leans in favor of the Surface Laptop Studio.
Content Creation
7.4
8.1
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 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 Studio 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
7.3
7.9
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
8.0
8.2
14.4in
SIZE
13.0in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
When considering general use, both the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo offer high resolution and brightness, making visuals crisp and viewable in different lighting, appealing to everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. For engineering and design, their displays cover a wide range of colors, ensuring that professionals who require color accuracy for projects will find them suitable. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates may result in less fluid motion, which can be a drawback for users who need smooth visuals for fast-paced games or rendering 3D models.
Portability
Good
Very Good
14.4in
SIZE
13.0in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has very good portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has very good build quality, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,700
$1,280
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a price of $1,700 and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo costs $1,280.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.6
6.8
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers a dedicated GPU and high screen refresh rate, making it suitable for gaming and 3D tasks, but at a higher price and heft. The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, while more portable and cost-effective, has a less powerful GPU and standard refresh rate, compromising somewhat on gaming and 3D performance yet maintaining good screen quality and adequate processing power for less demanding tasks.
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has 8 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,700 | $1,280 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2021 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | 11.8'' x 8.3'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 11.77" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.98" | 8.27" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11370H | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 73 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 13" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 415 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Tom Brant | October 2021
"There’s no doubt that the Surface Laptop Studio is groundbreaking. We’ve come to expect such things from the Surface lineup, so it’s always nice to see a product that exceeds our expectations. The pull-forward laptop-screen concept has been tried before, but never in a device that’s so stylish and packed with innovative features like a haptic touchpad and robust digital stylus support."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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.
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