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Updated March 21, 2024·
When considering the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio versus the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, the tradeoffs involve balancing cost, performance, and intended use. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option and need a laptop for everyday tasks, light photo editing, or casual use, the Surface Laptop Studio offers a sleek design and good battery life. However, if you require top-tier performance for activities like demanding 3D rendering, machine learning, or high-end gaming, and you're willing to invest more, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio provides superior horsepower and is better equipped for those intensive tasks, although it may sacrifice some portability and have a shorter battery life due to its powerful components. 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
- Good portability
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
- Very good for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.4
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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 its capable CPU and ample RAM, along with a high-quality screen and better portability due to its design and longer battery life, making it suitable for a variety of daily tasks. Meanwhile, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio comes with a stronger CPU and more RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking and handling of more demanding applications, but trades off a bit in terms of bulk and reduced battery life, catering to power users who prioritize performance.
Gaming and AI
6.6
8.9
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate compared to the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, making it less suitable for demanding gaming and 3D tasks. While both have quality CPUs and screens, the MSI's superior GPU and higher refresh rate offer a smoother and more immersive experience for these intensive applications.
Engineering and Design
7.3
9.1
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers a balanced mix of CPU, RAM, and GPU performance suitable for engineering tasks, paired with high screen quality and good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio boasts even higher CPU and GPU capabilities, often preferred for the most demanding engineering and design work, but at the expense of being less portable and potentially noisier under heavy loads. Both laptops feature quality keyboards and speakers; however, those who prioritize screen real estate and top-tier performance over ease of transport may lean towards the MSI, while users seeking a more travel-friendly device might prefer the Surface Laptop Studio.
Content Creation
7.4
8.5
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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
8.2
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
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
8.4
14.4in
SIZE
18.0in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
For general use, high resolution and brightness are important, and both the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio deliver sharp, bright displays, which is why they are favored for everyday tasks like web browsing and video streaming. The screens on these laptops also cover wide color gamuts, making them ideal for engineering and design, where color accuracy is crucial for professional work. However, for gaming and 3D, which rely heavily on smooth motion, neither laptop's screen is optimal as their refresh rates are lower than what fast-paced gaming and high-end 3D rendering typically require.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has 6 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
Good
Fair
14.4in
SIZE
18.0in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,700
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a price of $1,700 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have very 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 Studio and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,700 | $2,900 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2021 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | 15.8'' x 11.4'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4 lbs | 6.15 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 15.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.98" | 11.4" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11370H | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
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 Stealth 18 AI 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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